As a commercial building owner, you may be considering renovations. However, before a single hammer is swung, you need to ensure you’re meeting your state’s requirements for asbestos inspection.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Since asbestos is resistant to heat, incredibly strong, and durable, it became a popular material to use in construction in the 19th century.
For well over 100 years, asbestos was used for dozens of construction applications, including:
- Floor tile
- Popcorn ceiling texture
- Roofing shingles
- Fireproofing elements
- Insulation
- Decorative plaster
- Carpet backings
- Coating for hot water and steam pipes
While it’s an effective construction component, asbestos was discovered to have dangerous properties in the 1930s. By the 1950s, asbestos was officially linked to cancer and categorized as a carcinogen. However, it was still used in building materials until the late 1970s — meaning any building constructed before the 1980s likely has some form of asbestos present.
However, newer buildings aren’t automatically in the clear from asbestos. Even buildings completed after the 1980s could have been built with old, asbestos-containing materials.
When Asbestos Becomes Dangerous
When asbestos is contained, it doesn’t pose any health risks. However, as soon as asbestos is disturbed — by removing a floor tile or scraping off some popcorn ceiling texture — you’ve opened Pandora’s box.
You can’t re-contain asbestos; instead, the asbestos must be removed by a professional.
How to Follow Asbestos Compliance
Because of the severe health risks of asbestos, the state and federal governments have developed strict guidelines to follow when renovating, remodeling, or demolishing a commercial property. These include:
Conducting an asbestos inspection before any work begins.
Before you can start a renovation or demolition project, you must conduct an asbestos assessment by a state-certified asbestos building inspector. A renovation is defined as the repair or replacement of walls, flooring (including floor tiles), mechanical ventilation systems, pipes, ceilings, and insulating materials. Additionally, a renovation can include building additions where tie-ins, joints, or other intersections may occur.
A demolition is defined as the wrecking or removal of a load-supporting structure of a facility, the intentional burning of a building, or moving a building from a permanent foundation. This includes the handling of debris related to the demolition.
Failing to inspect the building for asbestos before starting work can result in large fines and legal action.
Filing the necessary paperwork.
If significant levels of asbestos are found, someone from your team will need to submit a written application to the state for a notice or permit. This must be completed 10 days before the removal of any asbestos.
Hiring licensed professionals to remove asbestos.
If asbestos is detected, you’ll need to hire a certified asbestos abatement company like Xtract Environmental. This company will follow all the necessary state, OSHA, and EPA regulations for the containment and asbestos removal, as well as the deep-cleaning procedure that follows the abatement process.
The commercial asbestos abatement company will also ensure the asbestos is discarded at an approved asbestos disposal site.
Do Any Buildings Not Require an Asbestos Inspection?
According to the Colorado Department of Health, if a building was constructed after October 12, 1988, it may qualify for an exception. However, this is only granted if the project engineer or architect responsible for the construction of the building, or a Colorado-certified asbestos building inspector, completes a form that states no asbestos-containing material was used in the initial construction of the building or subsequent renovations.
A Stress-Free Partner for Your Renovation or Demolition
If you want an experienced team who will handle every aspect of the asbestos abatement process, from selective demolition to hazardous waste removal, reach out to us at Xtract Environmental today.