Non-Friable Asbestos Removal

Non friable asbestos refers to products which exceed one-percent asbestos content and cannot be pulverized by hand. Products which are not damaged can be removed without releasing dangerous asbestos fibers. Asbestos is contained in plaster, plumbing, wiring, floor tiles, heating ducts and wall and ceiling insulation. It is also used in ceiling treatments and roof shingles. Asbestos fibers are toxic and can have highly debilitating effects on health. Asbestos is no longer allowed in materials such as flooring felt, roll board or specialty, corrugated and commercial paper. It is also banned from being used in products that have never contained asbestos.

Categories

• Anyone involved in non friable asbestos removal must adhere to the proper protocol for the removal and disposal of this material during renovation or demolition of buildings. There are two categories of non friable materials: Category I non-friable and Category II non-friable ACM (Asbestos Containing Material).
  Category I non-friable ACM includes resilient floor covering, asphalt roofing materials or packing gaskets. It must exceed an asbestos content of one percent. Before demolition can take place, any product in this category that is in poor shape must be inspected and tested for friability.
  Category II non-friable ACM encompasses all materials that are not listed under the Category I non-friable ACM. Category II non-friable ACM products must also have an asbestos content that exceeds one percent. In addition, when the materials are dry, they should not be subjected to being crumbled or destroyed by hand. This would include cement siding or transite board shingles. Many of these products, such as shingles and siding, are subjected to harsh elements and often become friable.

Removal

• Removal procedures must be carefully planned and controlled to avoid contaminating adjoining areas. Proper non friable asbestos removal follows comprehensive safety and removal procedures spelled out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state laws.
  Workers do not have to be licensed to remove this material. However, they must handle, transport and dispose of the material in a manner that prevents it from becoming damaged, or friable, and causing asbestos fibers to dislodge. Workers are required to wear respiratory protection, hoods, disposable coveralls and disposable shoe covers. These items are not to be worn outside the designated work area and should be immediately disposed of when the job is completed. The contractor must provide the proper area for the workers to change.
  If a building is being demolished, the asbestos materials must be removed before the demolition takes place if it is damaged or friable. Even if the building is being destroyed by setting an intentional fire, the asbestos-containing product must be extricated. Non-friable material is generally removed by sanding, grounding, abrading or cutting the asbestos. It must be wetted down as it is being removed.
  The workers must follow specific rules when wetting the material if there is a safety concern or the possibility of causing damage to equipment. The material should be immediately placed in a 6-millimeter polyethylene bag. The bag cannot be punctured or have any protruding objects. If the bag is not durable enough, place the asbestos waste into rigid containers like fiber drums. The waste container must be properly sealed, usually with duct tape, and placed into a clean 6-millimeter polyethylene bag. Seal the second container with tape and place an asbestos warning label on the container. The waste must then be transported to the proper waste facility for disposal.