Water heater vent ducting...need advice

[David Nasser]

Metal ducting leads up to ...what looks like an older asbestos vent piping.
Should this be called out.....( that the asbestos vent pipe should removed ) and replaced with current duct materials?


David

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

It's probably Transite and looks in good condition. I would mention it's presence only, but would definately report on the improper mounting/brackets attempting to hold it in place. Is that twine???

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

"The vent includes a Transite pipe, which is comprised of a solid, cement-like material that is known to contain asbestos fibers. Admittedly, these fibers could not easily escape from within the material, but the majority of heat vents, and certainly those that pass through attics, are required to be double-walled, or Type-B. And, as an imperceptible crack in a single-walled vent pipe could result in a fire, we recommend that the Transite pipe be replaced with a modern double-walled type."

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

"The vent includes a Transite pipe, which is comprised of a solid, cement-like material that is known to contain asbestos fibers. Admittedly, these fibers could not easily escape from within the material, but the majority of heat vents, and certainly those that pass through attics, are required to be double-walled, or Type-B. And, as an imperceptible crack in a single-walled vent pipe could result in a fire, we recommend that the Transite pipe be replaced with a modern double-walled type."

Nice comment Joe, but I don't think I agree completely with it. I don't have time to look it up now, but I believe your requirement applies to metal vent material only. Even so, I would consider adding your comment to my report, depending upon more information of it's condition, as a suggestion vs a recommendation, for safety of course.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

"The vent includes a Transite pipe, which is comprised of a solid, cement-like material that is known to contain asbestos fibers. Admittedly, these fibers could not easily escape from within the material, but the majority of heat vents, and certainly those that pass through attics, are required to be double-walled, or Type-B. And, as an imperceptible crack in a single-walled vent pipe could result in a fire, we recommend that the Transite pipe be replaced with a modern double-walled type."

The underlined is an important comment with transite pipe.

[David Nasser]

Originally Posted by jjonas

It's probably Transite and looks in good condition. I would mention it's presence only, but would definately report on the improper mounting/brackets attempting to hold it in place. Is that twine???

Thanks Jeff....

[David Nasser]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

"The vent includes a Transite pipe, which is comprised of a solid, cement-like material that is known to contain asbestos fibers. Admittedly, these fibers could not easily escape from within the material, but the majority of heat vents, and certainly those that pass through attics, are required to be double-walled, or Type-B. And, as an imperceptible crack in a single-walled vent pipe could result in a fire, we recommend that the Transite pipe be replaced with a modern double-walled type."

Thanks Joe...Im going to save this info.

[David Nasser]

Originally Posted by lkage

The underlined is an important comment with transite pipe.

Thanks larry....

[Michael Larson]

And EPA says:

Asbestos-Cement Pipe

EPA considers asbestos-cement pipe to be a "facility component" (as defined in 40 CFR 61.141) of the facility which owns or utilizes the pipe. In addition, EPA considers asbestos- cement pipe to be Category II nonfriable asbestos containing material. This material becomes "regulated asbestos containing material" (RACM), as defined in 40 CFR 61.141, when it becomes "friable asbestos material" or when it "has a high probability of becoming or has become crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by the forces expected to act on the material during the course of demolition or renovation operations regulated by [40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M]." Consequently, the crushing of asbestos-cement pipe with mechanical equipment will cause this material to become RACM. The demolition and renovation provisions in 40 CFR 61.145 and the waste disposal provisions in 40 CFR 61.150 apply to asbestos-cement pipe where the pipe is considered RACM, and the amount of pipe being removed and crushed is at least 260 linear feet for a single renovation project or during a calendar year for individual nonscheduled operations.

[David Nasser]

Originally Posted by mlarson

And EPA says:[/left]

Thanks Michael....Im going to save all this info.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jjonas

Nice comment Joe, but I don't think I agree completely with it. I don't have time to look it up now, but I believe your requirement applies to metal vent material only. Even so, I would consider adding your comment to my report, depending upon more information of it's condition, as a suggestion vs a recommendation, for safety of course.

Modern standards identify B-vents as "double-walled steel vents," but the Transite piping used in these applications were (at that time) classified as "Listed B-vents."

The biggest concern (for me) is the potential for cracks that cannot be seen, but will allow heat to escape. For this reason, I always recommend replacement as a "recommended safety upgrade."

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Thanks Jeff. I wasn't aware of the Transite classification being a "B-vent" (at the time).

Another concern, would be the exposure to elements above the roofline, but the OP didn't comment on that.

[Michael Larson]

Something else to consider.

The ground doesn't shake so much in the midwest Jeff Pope.

Do you know of cracks appearing in transite if it has not been subjected to mechanical impact?

It was use around here sub slab heating duct but since it is considered non friable creating air born particles is difficult unless it is crushed.

I make the client aware of the issue but do not recommend replaceent if it does not appear subject to mechnical damage. YMMV

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by mlarson

The ground doesn't shake so much in the midwest Jeff Pope.

That's true, and based on the damage caused in that Virgina tremor last week, it seems the rest of the country is a "third-world country" with regard to seismic requirements

I couldn't believe the extent of the damage caused by that little shaker.

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by jpope

That's true, and based on the damage caused in that Virgina tremor last week, it seems the rest of the country is a "third-world country" with regard to seismic requirements

Many people are surprised that there are actually significant fault lines running throughout the US, including one that runs right below NYC not too far from me. But the ones in CA are much more active and severe. You would probably never know it unless you looked at a USGS/FEMA seismic risk map.

Originally Posted by jpope

I couldn't believe the extent of the damage caused by that little shaker.

I felt it on Long Island, NY ... it shook my house a bit ...