Many buildings contain asbestos, which is used in spray applied flame retardant, thermal system insulation, and various other materials. Asbestos sometimes "flocked" over fake ceilings, inside technical channels, and in many other small spaces where firefighters will have difficulty accessing. Structural components such as asbestos panels are also used. In residences, asbestos is often a component of a type of acoustic ceiling in droves called the popcorn ceiling or "cottage cheese ceiling", until production was banned in the US in 1978. However, the ban allows the installer to use the rest stock, so the houses built in late 1986 could still have asbestos on their acoustic ceilings. The only way to be sure is to remove the sample and be tested by a competent laboratory.
Video Asbestos abatement
Rationale
Depending on how and where asbestos is applied, it may not pose a risk to most building users. If the fibers can not be dislodged, they can not be inhaled, and thus asbestos poses no risk. However, some methods of application of asbestos, especially in droves, allow the asbestos fibers to gradually fall into the air. Asbestos poses a danger to maintenance personnel who have to drill holes in the walls for wiring or piping. Even if workers are protected, the maintenance operation can release fiber to the air, which may be inhaled by others. Interventions in areas where asbestos is present often must follow strict procedures.
When asbestos fibers can be easily made into dust in the air, this material is known as "loose". For example, popcorn ceilings are very fragile, while asbestos floor tiles are considered not loose.
Different countries have different rules and enforcement methods, when it comes to removing asbestos. It is important to remember that before asbestos removal procedures occur; the client has a maintenance obligation and must verify that the specialist removal contractor may provide the following evidence:
- license if license is required in the jurisdiction
- general asbestos insurance and certain employer liability insurance
- employee training to include supervisors and contract manager training in the last 12 months
- employee compliance tests and medical supervision within 12 months
- special equipment testing in 6 months - DOP and PAT in EU
Optionally, specialist contractors should be able to provide accreditation from ARCA or other trade organizations.
Maps Asbestos abatement
Deletion procedure
In the United States, asbestos removal must be completed by EPA licensed asbestos reduction contractors. Furthermore, the building must be tested by an EPA licensed testing consultant.
When asbestos reduction takes place, residents are not allowed to enter the area. Typically, parts of buildings that are released asbestos must be closed to prevent contamination in other areas. Sealing methods often include the use of polyethylene films, masking tape and negative air pressure machines equipped with HEPA filters. The idea is that the contained area attracts fresh air to not allow asbestos fibers out into the surrounding environment.
Only special vacuum cleaners are designed for asbestos containment (class H) which can be used safely while cleaning during and after asbestos removal. Normal vacuum cleaners can not be used, even those equipped with HEPA filters. A regular vacuum cleaner will repel asbestos fibers into the air of the room.
If the building is closed to normal users, it may be necessary to close it from the outside atmosphere so that no contaminated air can be accessed. Examples of asbestos removal companies include the Jussieu Campus (starting around 1996 and still in 2005) and Tour Montparnasse (in 2005, the projected duration was three years if the tower was emptied from its users, and ten years if not).
A building containing asbestos that should be torn down may have to be sealed, and to remove asbestos safely before normal disassembly can be done. The removal of asbestos may take longer and cost more than actual disassembly. For example, the former East German parliamentary seat, Palast der Republik, was stripped of most of its asbestos between 1998 and 2001, before it was finally destroyed in 2006.
New innovative methods for removing asbestos have also been used. One example is the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) B238 building, where a track mounted with a wet saw cut with a diamond blade is used to cut buildings into small pieces. These small parts are then double-wrapped in plastic, minimum requirements when transporting asbestos materials, and pushed to landfill. This method not only contains asbestos material in metallic layers and gunite from the walls, but also keeps the workers at a safe distance because the saws are controlled remotely.
Alternative to delete
Removal is not the only way to reduce asbestos. Asbestos and asbestos-bearing materials may be "closed" or "packed" to prevent building occupants exposed to fibers.
Also see
- Asbestosis
- Asbestine
- Asbestos and law
- Fibro
- Fireproofing
- Minerals list
- Mesothelioma
- Vermiculite
References
External links
- Best Practices: Open Air Opening Asbestos Gunite by Using Track Mounted Wet Cutting Saw
- The Asbestos Removal Process, Kit, Bag and Mask
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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