(a)
Encapsulation constitutes spraying friable asbestos-containing material with a
liquid sealant (not including paint) that helps bind the asbestos together with
other material components to adhere it firmly to the building structure.
1. The requirements of this section are set
forth in order to prevent the contamination of the building environment which
may be caused by improperly performed asbestos encapsulation work.
i. Encapsulation shall not be performed
where:
(1) Asbestos-containing material is
friable, damaged, or deteriorating;
(2) Effective long-term inspection of the
encapsulated site cannot be assured;
(3) The source of asbestos is highly
accessible to building occupants and damage to material is possible;
(4) The asbestos-containing material does not
adhere well to the substrate;
(5)
There is existing or potential water damage to asbestos containing
material;
(6) The
asbestos-containing material is more than one inch thick; and is used to cover
ceilings, walls, beams, or other structural members;
(7) The asbestos-containing material is
subject to high vibration.
ii. Encapsulation may be performed when:
(1) Damage to the material is
improbable;
(2) The
asbestos-containing material is granular or cementitious;
(3) The encapsulating material is known to
bond asbestos to the subsurface and asbestos-containing material and also
retains its bonding integrity;
(4)
Asbestos-containing material has been removed and loose fibers remain which
should be bonded.
iii.
If encapsulation is used as a method of asbestos abatement the following
maintenance procedures shall be employed:
(1)
A periodic monitoring and maintenance program consisting of inspection at least
annually to check for damage to all encapsulated surfaces;
(2) Maintenance of records by the building
owner, on the locations and condition of the encapsulated material;
(3) The removal of encapsulated asbestos when
conditions change, making encapsulation no longer an appropriate method of
asbestos abatement.
iv.
Sealants considered for use in encapsulation shall first be tested to ensure
that the sealant is adequate for its intended use. A section of the
asbestos-containing material shall be evaluated following this initial test
application of the sealant to quantitatively determine the sealant's
effectiveness in terms of penetrating and hardening the asbestos-containing
material, its toxicity, its flammability, its tolerance to disturbance or
abuse, its solubility (dissolvability) in water, its effects on the acoustical
properties of the asbestos-containing material, and its tolerance to
top-covering paints. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office
of Toxic Substances, has developed guidelines for the use of encapsulants on
asbestos-containing materials which discuss advantages and disadvantages of
encapsulation. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee
E06.21.06E on Encapsulation of Building Materials has developed a guidance
document to assist in the selection of an encapsulant once a decision to
encapsulate has been made. When a choice of an encapsulant has been made,
written justification of this choice (based on the characteristics of the
encapsulant, the asbestos-containing material to be encapsulated, and the
substrate surface underneath the asbestos-containing material) shall be
included in the job specifications, and a copy of this justification shall be
available for review at the job site.
v. Before encapsulation is performed, all
loose and hanging asbestos-containing material shall be removed while damp, and
disposed of in accordance with this subchapter.
vi. Filler material used to repair damaged
and missing areas of asbestos-containing material shall contain no asbestos,
shall adhere well to the substrate and shall provide an adequate base for the
encapsulating agent.
vii.
Encapsulated asbestos containing materials shall be identified by signs,
labels, color coding or some other mechanism to warn persons who may be
required to disturb the material that asbestos is present.
viii. Where encapsulants are sprayed on
asbestos-containing materials:
(1) Low
pressure airless spray shall be used. The airless spray gun shall have an
appropriately sized tip which shall be tested by briefly spraying the
encapsulant onto a surface from approximately 12 inches away. An appropriately
sized tip will spray the encapsulant in a fan approximately eight inches wide;
it will also distribute the encapsulant uniformly within the fan, giving even
coverage.
(2) A suitable quantity
of HEPA filtration units shall be used during the encapsulation process which
shall have sufficient capacity to cause one complete air exchange every 30
minutes.
(3) At least three coats
of the encapsulant shall be applied to the surface of the asbestos-containing
material. Each coat shall be applied in a two-step procedure. The first step is
to apply a light mist coat to moisten and seal any loose fibers and keep them
from breaking away from the surface. This mist coat should be applied in three
or four quick passes with the gun held 18 to 24 inches from the surface. After
an area of 16 to 20 square feet has been given the mist coat, a heavier coating
is applied, using 8 or 10 passes with the gun held 10 and 12 inches from the
material. The gun should be kept in constant motion to create a smooth and even
coat. This two-step application shall be considered one coat of encapsulant.
Each subsequent coat shall be applied at a 90 degree angle to the direction of
the preceding coat application, to ensure complete coverage of the
asbestos-containing material. When questions rise regarding drying time, curing
time, dilution, or use under different weather conditions, the manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions shall be consulted.
(4) All other preparation, decontamination,
and work requirements and procedures used in encapsulation projects shall be
the same as those used in removal projects.
ix. Sealants used in the encapsulation shall
not alter the existing fire rating and shall be flame resistant and meet the
flame spread and smoke generation requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:23-3 of the
Uniform Construction Code.