Management of asbestos-containing materials in buildings and facilities requires knowledge of the location, type, quantity, and condition of the material. The more complete and accurate the information available, the more appropriate and cost-effective are the control measures used to reduce possible exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. This is true whether the asbestos-containing materials remain undisturbed and completely intact, are selectively removed for maintenance or prior to renovation, or are removed to the greatest extent feasible before demolishing the building or facility.
This practice describes three types of surveys that support different objectives. These are the Baseline Survey, the Project Design Survey, and the Pre-Construction Survey.
The Baseline Survey is a building-wide or facility-wide inspection that provides a general sense of the overall location, type, quantity, and condition of asbestos-containing materials present. It is thorough in that most accessible functional spaces are inspected and bulk samples taken of suspect materials observed. The baseline survey provides information for long-term management of asbestos-containing materials and prioritization of response actions. The presence of asbestos in suspect materials may be assumed or presumed in some cases without bulk samples being taken or analyzed. However, the baseline survey is unobtrusive in that samples are not taken where doing so would result in objectionable damage to surfaces or where institutional barriers preclude access. In a baseline survey, destructive testing is avoided. Posting of signs and labels required for compliance with OSHA regulations would use the information generated during a Baseline Survey.
Note 18212;A Baseline Survey is sometimes called an “AHERA” survey because it provides the type of information used for management of asbestos-containing materials in schools. However, the baseline survey described in this practice requires inspection, bulk sampling, quantification, and assessment of suspect materials that are excluded by virtue of their type and location from the AHERA regulations for schools.
Note 28212;Suspect material subject to disturbance by planned or emergency maintenance may not always be identified as to asbestos content in a Baseline Survey. Collecting a single bulk sample, or a small number of samples, to determine if the material contains asbestos does not constitute a survey within the meaning of this practice. Nonetheless, the sample(s) should be collected in accordance with the methods described in Appendix X1 (this must be done by a properly-credentialed individual) and analyzed as set forth in 6.5.
The Project Design Survey is more focused than a Baseline Survey and is used to provide information to the Project Designer for preparing abatement plans and specifications. The locations inspected are limited to the areas that will be affected by the abatement project. If the project is being done prior to renovation or demolition, the construction plans or at least a clear statement of the scope of the renovation or demolition work are required for a proper Project Design Survey. Destructive testing is often required for a Project Design Survey. The presence of asbestos in suspect materials is always confirmed in a Project Design Survey rather than being assumed or presumed. Other information required for the Project Design is collected during the survey.
The Pre-Construction Survey is performed in anticipation of renovation or demolition where a Baseline Survey has not been conducted and there is no information, or insufficient information, as to the existence of asbestos-containing materials w..........
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