A real-life asbestos survey of a home built in 1948.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials, particularly in the 20th century. It was prized for its insulating and fire-retardant properties, but has since been found to be extremely hazardous to human health. Asbestos exposure has been linked to various illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Due to the risks associated with asbestos, there are strict regulations in place for its removal and disposal. In fact, in the San Francisco Bay Area, an asbestos survey must be conducted first before any demolition or renovation can begin.

ASBESTOS SURVEY IS REQUIRED FOR A “J” NUMBER PERMIT

The asbestos survey is a legal requirement set by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. It is also a prerequisite to obtain the necessary Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Job Number (J# Permit) which allows demolition or renovation work on a building or structure that may contain asbestos.

THE ASBESTOS SURVEY PROCESS

Conducting an asbestos survey is an essential part of obtaining a J Number Permit. In this case study, we’ll walk through what goes into the process at a vacant mid 20th century home built in 1949 that has plans to be demolished.

Here are the steps involved in the process:

Hire a qualified asbestos surveyor: The surveyor should be licensed and accredited to perform asbestos surveys. The surveyor should have the experience, knowledge and equipment to perform asbestos surveys.

For example, Adviro has trained technicians who will visit the site and conduct a thorough inspection to identify any materials that may contain asbestos. In addition, for the Cupertino asbestos project,  Frank Valerga, CAC and Environmental Consultant for Adviro, managed the project oversight.

Identify potential asbestos-containing materials: The surveyor will take samples of any materials that are suspected of containing asbestos, such as insulation, roofing materials, or floor tiles. These samples will be analyzed in a laboratory to confirm the presence of asbestos.

Develop an asbestos sampling register or “Chain of Custody”: The surveyor will compile a sample list of any potential asbestos-containing material (ACMs) found on the site, including their location, condition, and extent of damage. The “Chain of Custody” will also detail how many samples are collected that day and this information is then shipped to an independent testing lab.

At Adviro, our independent lab lets us know the results within 1 to 2 business days. After the lab sends back their findings, our report writers will write the report which is thoroughly reviewed and approved by senior management before it is sent to the client. The report functions as a “roadmap” that can help them know what they need to do to remove and dispose of any asbestos that was found at the site.

SUMMARY

In summary, conducting an asbestos survey is an essential step in obtaining a “J” Number Permit for demolition or renovation work. The survey should be conducted by qualified asbestos surveyors (such as Adviro technicians) and the findings should be used to help the customer correct the asbestos issue if there is one. By properly managing and removing any ACMs on the site, you can ensure the safety of workers and the public, as well as avoid any potential legal and financial liabilities.

GETTING AN ASBESTOS SURVEY IN THE SF BAY AREA

If you’re considering doing a demolition or renovation in the San Francisco Bay Area / Silicon Valley area, make sure you fulfill the asbestos survey requirement that the BAAQMD set in place for everyone’s safety—and of course, get the “J” number permit as well. Contact Adviro at (844) 607-9667 to conduct the asbestos survey with the experts.