Commercial Asbestos Removal and Demolition

Here you will find information:

• What is considered an asbestos project?
• Am I required to find out if there is asbestos?
• Am I required to notify the agency before starting a project?
• How do I notify the agency?
• Are there specific asbestos removal work practices?
• How do I dispose of asbestos-containing material?

What is considered an asbestos project?

An asbestos project is any project that involves the abatement, renovation, demolition, removal, salvage, clean up or disposal of asbestos-containing material.  It also includes any action that disturbs or is likely to disturb asbestos.

 For commercial contractors wishing to carry out asbestos removal or demolition of structures containing asbestos, there are several requirements. The requirements for asbestos removal or demolition apply to both the property owner or owner's agent.

Am I required to find out if there is asbestos?

If you are considering a renovation involving the disturbance of materials that may contain asbestos, you are required to have an asbestos survey of any suspected asbestos-containing materials in the work area. A certified AHERA* building inspector needs to do the survey. AHERA building inspectors are listed in your local yellow pages under Asbestos Consulting and Testing. If there are no suspect materials in the work area, this must be posted or communicated in writing to contractors working in the area.  If an asbestos survey is required, the results need to be posted at the work site or communicated in writing to anyone who may come into contact with asbestos.

If you are planning a demolition (includes wrecking, razing, leveling, dismantling or burning, but not renovation or internal demolitions), you must have an asbestos survey performed by a certified AHERA building inspector.  All asbestos must be removed before any demolition activities begin.

*An AHERA building inspector is specially trained and certified to do asbestos surveys. AHERA refers the the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, which directed the U.S. EPA to establish guidelines for dealing with asbestos.

Am I required to notify the agency before starting a project?

You are required to submit a notice of intent before beginning any work on an asbestos project or demolition. The only exception is for asbestos projects involving less than 10 linear or 48 square feet (per structure per year) and the removal of nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing material. An AHERA building inspector or competent person must make the determination if it is nonfriable material.

If you are undertaking a demolition of a structure with a roof area larger than 120 feet, you must notify the agency even if there is no asbestos present. Annual and multiple asbestos project notification are available options.

There are notification waiting periods that you will need to consider when planning a project. Homeowners need only send in the notification form and fee before beginning a project.  Other asbestos projects and demolitions require 3 - 10 days notification, depending on the scope and size of the project. You need to pay a fee for the processing of an asbestos notification. Please refer to Regulation III, Section 4.03 for full details about notification requirements and fees.

A copy of the notification and other supporting documentation must be available at the asbestos project or demolition site.  

If you are in doubt about how to proceed with an asbestos notification, please contact an agency customer service representative at (206) 343-8800 or 1-800-552-3565.

How do I notify the agency?

To notify us of a commercial asbestos project, you need to submit a form for notification of a commercial asbestos project.  You may need to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader to be able to print out the form on your computer.  Please submit this form to us by mail or fax.  There may be additional forms necessary depending on the specific project.  An agency staff member will be glad to help you.

Are there specific asbestos removal work practices?

There are very specific procedures for asbestos removal projects.  These practices are fully outlined in Regulation III, Section 4.05 (b). We also have prepared an asbestos checklist for demolition projects. This checklist will help you follow the necessary steps.

All work with asbestos must be performed by trained and certified professionals in accordance with the standards established by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration or the U.S. EPA, depending on which has jurisdiction over the project.

How do I dispose of asbestos-containing waste?

Asbestos-containing waste must be disposed within 10 days of its removal at a disposal site authorized to accept asbestos waste.

You will also need to follow specific waste tracking guidelines.  This involves completing a waste authorization form/log that includes information about the approximate quantity of the disposal.  Consult Regulation III, Section 4.07 for complete details.

Disposal facilities in the central Puget Sound area that are authorized to accept asbestos waste are listed below.

Updated November 1998

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