Asbestos 1

[ajk1]

We are about to start a condition survey of adjacent structures built at various times over the last 100 years. Does anyone know if there is any need to investigate if clay tile contains hazardous substances? Similar question for drywall.

 

[Ron]

Clay tile is not likely to contain asbestos. Even if it does, it in in a non-friable condition.
Drywall itself is not likely to contain asbestos. Some drywall joint compound contained asbestos as a stabilizer and filler in the 1970's and 1980's. You might check that.

 

[ajk1]

Thanks Ron. The thing is that they will be breaking thru the clay tile and the drywall to access the structural members for which we are doing the condition survey, and to determine the member sizes so that we can check the strength and code conformity. So although it may be non-friable, when they break thru it,I imagine that it would become friable. I wonder if there is a list of construction materials that may contain hazardous materials?

 

[bridgebuster]

I ran into this about 15+ years ago. We had to design repairs to a building façade that had sheet asbestos insulation between the plywood sheeting and the stone face. We needed to cut small sections to perform the work. The contractor used power tools fitted with HEPA vacuums to solve that problem (or so they told me); probably did it in the middle of the night when no one was watching.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I wonder if there is a list of construction materials that may contain hazardous materials?

For asbestos products available 100 years ago, there is for sure. And the list will make your skin crawl. See the 81 page, 1915 Johns - Manville Condensed Catalog which has a mix of building and industrial products at the link below:

Examples include the asbestos insulation that Bridgebuster encountered.

Asbestos Felt and Roll Board, "..for lining sidewalls, floors, ceilings, wood partitions, etc."

Asbestos Wood, "Can be worked with wood working tools. Ideal for... fireproof partitions, ceiling and flooring..."

https://books.google.com/books?id=A...0CF4Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=asbestos wall&f=false

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[oldestguy]

A story I experienced. Doing a survey of a Univ. of Wisconsin Cancer Research facility for caulking needed on exterior wall systems areas, I found the hot air ducts into each room were insulated on the exterior wall sections with blown in friable asbestos. Inside the exterior wall of the elevator shafts was the same stuff. That was coming loose and the "roofs" of the elevator cars had a covering of that loose stuff. Sort of explained all the trouble with the switches for the operations. Needless to say the re-calking of the exterior was put on hold. I never heard what became of that situation, but it was a mighty big shock to the agency. Rather ironic.

 

[ajk1]

Thanks Bridgebuster.
Thanks SlideRuleEra. Looks like anything may contain asbestos.

 

[ajk1]

Thanks Oldestguy - a very interesting and disturbing story.

 

[Canuck67]

Getting a Designated Substances Audit (Ontario) would go a long way in having an enviro consultant go through the buildings and flag items that may be hazardous. Your client will need one anyways, before construction can start, so might as well recommend getting it now.

 

[Archie264]

A story I experienced. Doing a survey of a Univ. of Wisconsin Cancer Research facility for caulking needed on exterior wall systems areas, I found the hot air ducts into each room were insulated on the exterior wall sections with blown in friable asbestos. Inside the exterior wall of the elevator shafts was the same stuff. That was coming loose and the "roofs" of the elevator cars had a covering of that loose stuff. Sort of explained all the trouble with the switches for the operations. Needless to say the re-calking of the exterior was put on hold. I never heard what became of that situation, but it was a mighty big shock to the agency. Rather ironic.

Sounds like they were trying to grow their own research specimens.

 

[FishTheStructure]

As Canuck67 suggested, when there is potential for asbestos in an area we need to investigate we always get a hazardous building material assessment done before proceeding with the exploration. When the job goes out for bid, this assessment is included in the tender documents.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds - Albert Einstein

 

[ajk1]

Thanks FishtheStructure, Archie264, Canuck67. Yes our environmental department is going to look after it. Thanks.