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Inspection Question of the Day These are inspection questions posted daily by members of InterNACHI's Educational Committee.

View Poll Results: Home Inspectors are required to point out buliding materials containing Asbestos
True 7 20.59%
False 27 79.41%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 11/5/08, 1:22 PM
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Brian E. Kelly Brian E. Kelly is offline
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Default Asbestos

Well?
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  #2  
Old 11/5/08, 2:04 PM
Erol Kartal Erol Kartal is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

In Illinois we are not required. I think in any state it's a standard agreement exclusion too. I report it as a material that is consistent in appearance with asbestos. Recommend...
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  #3  
Old 11/5/08, 3:08 PM
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Default Re: Asbestos

Having worked in the asbestos abatement and demolition industry for 20 years I am pretty familiar with ACM and point it out when I see it. I always recommend sampling and lab analysis. CYA
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  #4  
Old 11/5/08, 3:18 PM
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by ldapkus View Post
Having worked in the asbestos abatement and demolition industry for 20 years I am pretty familiar with ACM and point it out when I see it. I always recommend sampling and lab analysis. CYA
So should I whack it with a broom and open a jelly jar to send in Linus, like I have been.
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  #5  
Old 11/5/08, 3:28 PM
ldapkus ldapkus is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

Yup. Then use the broom to sweep the mess down the nearest floor drain.
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  #6  
Old 11/5/08, 3:30 PM
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Default Re: Asbestos

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Originally Posted by ldapkus View Post
Yup. Then use the broom to sweep the mess down the nearest floor drain.

What? Aren't you supposed to take the broom home to sweep out the kids bedrooms?
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  #7  
Old 11/5/08, 6:34 PM
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Default Re: Asbestos

Point out materials that MAY contain asbestos, yes. Unless you have microscopes for eyes, its impossible to be 100% sure its asbestos. I have years of experience in asbestos abatement, and i will never tell anyone that something is asbestos for sure. Tread lightly on this one.



Rodney Misener, CMI
Trinity Inspection Services
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
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  #8  
Old 11/5/08, 9:02 PM
Darren Spencer Darren Spencer is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

You must be STATE CERTIFIED to even inspect Asbestos and if you comment on it and are not a CBI you MUST report it IS an ACM (Asbestos Contained Material) or trouble can head your way! Again you CAN NOT even say they MAY contain!

and yes I am State Certified for Asbestos which is a classification of CBI
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  #9  
Old 11/5/08, 9:28 PM
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Rodney Misener Rodney Misener is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by dspencer1 View Post
You must be STATE CERTIFIED to even inspect Asbestos and if you comment on it and are not a CBI you MUST report it IS an ACM (Asbestos Contained Material) or trouble can head your way! Again you CAN NOT even say they MAY contain!

and yes I am State Certified for Asbestos which is a classification of CBI
Darren,

If you suspect something may be an ACM, you cannot say that it IS an ACM unless first analyzed under a microscope. Its just not possible. You may assume it is from experience, but you can never say it is for 100%. IMO, saying it is ACM could get you into more trouble than saying it may be an ACM.



Rodney Misener, CMI
Trinity Inspection Services
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
http://www.trinityinspectionservices.com

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  #10  
Old 11/5/08, 11:44 PM
Darren Spencer Darren Spencer is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmisener View Post
Darren,

If you suspect something may be an ACM, you cannot say that it IS an ACM unless first analyzed under a microscope. Its just not possible. You may assume it is from experience, but you can never say it is for 100%. IMO, saying it is ACM could get you into more trouble than saying it may be an ACM.

Other way around...It is a ACM until the lab tells us it is not..You CAN NOT use the word MAY. Until it is proved the absence of Asbestos all possible ACMs are classified as ACM..Just the legal issues of the word MAY are gone over in certification for 4 hours in class ! over and over again. Major leag issue.

Asbestos is not mold it has requirements for inspection and removal, you are more likely to lose a case being sued by a homeowner if you comment on Asbestos in your report (and are not a CBI) than commenting on mold.

Anyone inspecting or commenting on Asbestos from an inspectors view must also carry on him/herself at all times a CBI card, the Goverment, EPA, Air Quaility ACT has made this serious business.... so it May not be Asbestos but I will tell you it IS until the lab shows me different.

Also FYI Asbestos is STILL put in building materials today and is not a controlled substance.
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  #11  
Old 11/6/08, 9:38 AM
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Michael Roberson Michael Roberson is online now
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Default Re: Asbestos

How I Phrase it: This is asbestos-type insulation. Recommend qualified personnel to evaluate and remove.
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  #12  
Old 11/6/08, 4:53 PM
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by ekartal View Post
In Illinois we are not required. I think in any state it's a standard agreement exclusion too. I report it as a material that is consistent in appearance with asbestos. Recommend...
.


Erol pretty much sums it up nicely.

We as INACHI members are also not required to call it out.

I myself always point out material that may contain Asbestos or ACM.
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  #13  
Old 11/6/08, 5:20 PM
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Rodney Misener Rodney Misener is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkelly2 View Post
.


Erol pretty much sums it up nicely.

We as INACHI members are also not required to call it out.

I myself always point out material that may contain Asbestos or ACM.

I guess things are very different here in Canada......each to their own.



Rodney Misener, CMI
Trinity Inspection Services
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
http://www.trinityinspectionservices.com

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Certified Level 1 Thermographer
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IAC2 Radon/Mold Certified
Infrared Certified
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  #14  
Old 11/6/08, 5:46 PM
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Brian E. Kelly Brian E. Kelly is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmisener View Post
I guess things are very different here in Canada......each to their own.

Let's see what some of the others have to say Rodney.

But here I would be remiss if I did not warn my client that the Vermiculite insulation, transite vent pipe, or Johns Mansville siding MAY contain Asbestos, and the only way to know for sure is to have the material tested.

Now if I come right out and say that siding has asbestos in it and 1. I did not test it, or 2. it does not contain Asbestos I could be in deep dodo.

Last edited by bkelly2; 11/6/08 at 5:54 PM..
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  #15  
Old 11/6/08, 8:55 PM
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Rodney Misener Rodney Misener is offline
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Default Re: Asbestos

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkelly2 View Post
Let's see what some of the others have to say Rodney.

But here I would be remiss if I did not warn my client that the Vermiculite insulation, transite vent pipe, or Johns Mansville siding MAY contain Asbestos, and the only way to know for sure is to have the material tested.

Now if I come right out and say that siding has asbestos in it and 1. I did not test it, or 2. it does not contain Asbestos I could be in deep dodo.
Brian,

I agree with what you are saying. It was Darren's comment to state a product is an ACM without it first being tested that I disagree with. Nobody can say a product contains asbestos for 100% sure until it has been tested under a microscope. Its just not possible. If it is an organizations policy to state that it is asbestos(without prior testing and verification), thats 100% wrong in my opinion.



Rodney Misener, CMI
Trinity Inspection Services
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
http://www.trinityinspectionservices.com

Certified Home Inspector
Certified Level 1 Thermographer
Certified Energy Advisor
WETT Certified Inspector
IAC2 Radon/Mold Certified
Infrared Certified
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