Asbestos

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by rmisener

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.

I believe we are on the same page.

[Darren Spencer]

Originally Posted by rmisener

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.

Until I took the certification I would agree with you, but I did not write the credentials for Asbestos.

better said to your clients would be "I am not an accredited Asbestos inspector so if Asbestos is a concern I recommend having the home properly inspected by a CBI inspector." no comments need to be made, let the owner disclose what is needed.

[dbucknavich]

Brian, did you forget what we learned in the "Harvard" of inspection schools?

PACBM- Possible Asbestos Carrying Building Material

Then of course simply refer it to a competent and qualified specialist with remedy as necessary. Done.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by dbucknavich

Brian, did you forget what we learned in the "Harvard" of inspection schools?

PACBM- Possible Asbestos Carrying Building Material

Then of course simply refer it to a competent and qualified specialist with remedy as necessary. Done.

Dylan

If I remember correctly the proper way to report is would be:

The material in question is consistent with and characteristic of Asbestos, but I recommend a lab confirm the presence or absence of Asbestos.---

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Definitions

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by dspencer1

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.

I just got off the phone with the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries and specifically the person that runs the section that deals with asbestos.

The question I asked was, "As a generalist home inspector that is reporting on a popcorn ceiling or transite pipe, or other well known ACM's, are we allowed to put in our report, 'this material may contain asbestos and further inspection / testing by a licensed asbestos inspector will be needed for proper identification'."

We went over it any number of times and his opinion was that since we are not performing a specific asbestos inspection or mitigation, we are allowed to use the MAY CONTAIN terminology and refer it off to a licensed / certified asbestos inspector. Once you become certified, you are bound by a specific set of rules. Until you become licensed / certified, you may continue to refer off to a specialist.