N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-8.16

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 5:23-8.16 - Asbestos encapsulation and enclosure

(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.

(b) Enclosure constitutes construction of a permanent (that is, for the life of the building), air-tight, impact-resistant, solid structure of new construction materials which must be built around the asbestos covered pipe or structure to prevent the release of asbestos-containing materials into the area beyond the enclosure and to prevent these materials from casual contact during future maintenance operations. The enclosure 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.

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 enclosure work. The following procedures shall be adhered to:

i. Before constructing the enclosure, all electrical conduits, telephone lines, recessed lights, and pipes in the area shall be moved to ensure that the enclosure will not have to be reopened later for routine or emergency maintenance. If for any reason, lights or other equipment cannot be moved, removal of the asbestos-containing materials rather than enclosure shall be the appropriate control method to use;

ii. Enclosure walls shall be made of tongue and groove boards, boards with spine joints, or gypsum boards having taped seams. All joints between the walls and ceiling of the enclosure shall be caulked to prevent the escape of asbestos fibers;

iii. The underlying structure must be able to support the weight of the enclosure. Suspended ceilings with laid-in panels do not provide air-tight enclosures and shall not be used to enclose structures covered with asbestos-containing materials;

iv. The surface of the asbestos-containing material which will be disturbed during the installation of hangers, brackets or other enclosure supports shall first be sprayed with amended water or a removal encapsulant using a low pressure airless spray:

v. Power drills or other tools which may disturb asbestos containing material shall be equipped with or used in conjunction with HEPA vacuum filters;

vi. Loose and hanging asbestos-containing materials shall be removed while damp and disposed of in accordance with this subchapter;

vii. After the installation of hangers, brackets or other supports and before the asbestos-containing material is enclosed, asbestos containing materials shall be repaired, using materials which do not contain asbestos;

viii. Enclosures for 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 enclosure that asbestos is present; and

ix. Enclosures shall be inspected at least annually to ensure their integrity.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-8.16

Amended by R.1987 d.525, effective 12/21/1987.
See: 19 New Jersey Register 902(a), 19 New Jersey Register 2389(a).
Substantially amended.
Amended by R.1989 d.342, effective 7/3/1989.
See: 20 New Jersey Register 1130(b), 21 New Jersey Register 1844(b).
Recodified old 8.12 as new 8.13. Section 8.13 was formerly "Glove bag technique".
In (a)1ix: added "shall not alter the existing fire rating and..."
Deleted old (b) and added new (b) defining "enclosure".
Added new (b)1i-iii and recodified old i-vi as new iv-ix, with stylistic or no changes in text.
Recodified from 5:23-8.13 by R.1993 d.198, effective 6/7/1993.
See: 24 New Jersey Register 1422(a), 25 New Jersey Register 2519(b).
Prior text at section, "Duties of the asbestos safety technician", recodified as 5:23-8.10(d).