When is an asbestos survey required?
All commercial buildings regardless of construction date and residential buildings constructed before 2004 must have an asbestos survey conducted by an accredited inspector prior to any demolition or renovation activities, with one main exception. Owner-occupants of a single family home doing their own home renovation work are exempt from this rule. A copy of the asbestos survey report must be on-site during all renovation or demolition activities, and must be provided to DEQ upon request. Read more about asbestos survey requirements.
What project notifications are required?
Required notifications include:
- ASN-1 Friable Project Notification
- ASN-6 Nonfriable Asbestos Removal Notification
- ASN-4 Asbestos Waste Shipment Report
- All notification forms
Does DEQ allow for composite analysis of material samples?
As of November 2018, distinct layers cannot be composited for analysis. When a sample consists of two or more distinct layers or materials, each layer must be treated separately and the results must be reported by individual layer.
Plaster and stucco: If plaster and stucco wall or ceiling systems are layered, and the layers can be distinguished, then the layers must be analyzed separately. Where a plaster or stucco wall system is constructed in layers, and the asbestos-containing layer becomes a distinguishable but “non-separable” component of the wall system, the results of the analysis of the individual layer(s) may include a small amount of the other layers when analyzed (for example: a skim or brown coat layer may contain a small amount of the base coat layer in the analysis of the skim coat layer).
Add-on materials (surfacing): All materials “added” to wallboard or other base materials (such as sprayed-on materials, paint, ceiling or wall texture) must be analyzed separately, if possible. The results of the analysis of those individual layers of “add-on” material cannot be averaged with the result of the analysis of wallboard for a composite result, but must be analyzed and reported separately. Where a thin coating of one material is applied over another material and the materials cannot be separated without compromising the layers, the analysis may include a small amount of the base layer. If for example, a paint layer containing asbestos is spread over a wallboard layer, and the paint layer cannot be separated from the wallboard, then a small amount of the wallboard layer may be included in the sample of the paint.
Joint compound and wallboard: When joint compound and/or tape is applied to wallboard it becomes an integral part of the wallboard and in effect becomes one material forming a wall or ceiling system. Therefore, a bulk sample of the system that contains the joint compound, tape, and wallboard may be analyzed to identify the asbestos percentage of the system. Surfacing materials or other layers that can be separated must not be included in the analysis.
What guidance does DEQ have for construction workers?
Oregon DEQ and OSHA produced an asbestos guide to help construction workers and employers understand the rules and regulations surrounding the dangerous task of working with materials containing asbestos.
What materials may contain asbestos?
Asbestos is commonly found in walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, siding, HVAC systems, insulation, pipes and more.
How do I become a licensed asbestos abatement contractor in Oregon?
To obtain a license from DEQ, contractors must submit a complete asbestos abatement contractor license application and a non-refundable $1,000 fee. Applicants must provide the following information
- Registration with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
- Registration with the Oregon Business Registry Section of the Corporations Division.
- A list of certified supervisors employed by the company.
- A list of all asbestos-related enforcement actions taken against the company.
Fill out the Asbestos Abatement Contractor License Application and submit to deqnwrasbestos@deq.state.or.us
Looking for Asbestos Testing in Central Oregon?
Bend Asbestos offers accredited asbestos inspectors for residential and commercial customers throughout Central Oregon including Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Sisters, La Pine and the surrounding area. We provide asbestos testing, asbestos surveys and AHERA surveys as a service to keep your family safe.
