Bulk Sampling For PLM Analysis By Professionals

Identification of ACBM

The initial inspection to identify all the ACBM in a building begins with locating and listing all homogeneous areas of material that are suspected to contain asbestos. A homogeneous area is an area of surfacing material, thermal system insulation, or miscellaneous material that is uniform in color and texture. According to the EPA, interior materials suspected of containing asbestos must be categorized as one of three types according

Surfacing Materials— These can be categorized as the interior ACBM that has been sprayed on, or applied to surfaces such as structural members, walls, and ceilings,  for acoustical, decorative, fireproofing, or other purposes. The list includes acoustical plaster, hard plasters , fireproofing insulation, spray-applied, or blown-in thermal material, joint or patching compound (wall or ceiling), and textured paints or plasters.

Thermal System Insulation— This can be described as the insulation used to control heat transfer or prevent condensation on pipes and pipe fittings, boilers, breeching, tanks, ducts, and other parts of hot and cold water systems. The systems can be HVAC systems or other mechanical systems. These insulation materials include pipe lagging, pipe wrap, HVAC duct insulation, block insulation, cements and muds, and a variety of other products that may include gaskets and ropes.

Miscellaneous Materials— These are composed of mostly non-friable products and materials found on structural components, structural members or fixtures, such as floor tiles, ceiling tiles, construction mastic for floor and ceiling materials, sheet flooring, fire doors, asbestos cement pipe and board, wallboard, acoustical wall tiles, and vibration damping cloth. However, miscellaneous materials do not include thermal system insulation or surfacing materials.