Asbestos Management Program

As the Environmental Safety Coordinator for Davis School District, one of my duties is to perform a mandated EPA periodic surveillance twice a year for all our schools that have asbestos containing building materials (ACBM).


Before I get ahead of myself let me first introduce you to Asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral from the silicon and magnesium family. It is composed of a hollow, microscopic fiber that is nearly indestructible. Asbestos can be bonded with other substances making a tough, durable and flexible material with many uses. It was used for insulation, fireproofing, roofing, and soundproofing in homes, auditoriums, and offices and in most buildings constructed prior to October 12, 1988. After this date the EPA banned asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) and alternative building materials were used. To date there are approximately 5,000 products that contain asbestos.

Asbestos products are categorized in two classes:
Friable and Non-Friable.

When dry, friable asbestos can be reduced to powder by hand pressure. A sprayed-on asbestos acoustical ceiling falls into this category.

Non-friable asbestos is usually found bonded into other materials. These material fibers are harder to break down into powder, but grinding, sanding and cutting can release fibers.  The majority of asbestos in the district is found in the nine inch by nice inch floor tiles which are in the non-friable category.
The next most likely area to find asbestos or ACBM would be in the boiler room, where the insulation of steam & hot water piping are present.   Tunnels, crawl spaces, and ceilings are other areas where asbestos may be found. These areas are usually only accessible to maintenance and service contractors who are trained to work on and around asbestos.

The location and quantity of all ACBM in any specific building is documented in a book called the AHERA Asbestos Management Plan.

The Management Plan binder is located within the proximity of the main office of each school. If anyone is wondering if a building material within his or her building is an ACBM they can refer to the book’s tab labeled Management Plan. There you will find a page behind the Executive Summary tab, listing all information for the material in question. The binder also contains tabs titled Floor Plan, and Photo Log. These two sections are very informative as they show a map of the building and pictures of areas of the building that may or may not contain asbestos.
Three key words to look for in these materials are:

ACM (Asbestos Containing Material)

Non-ACM (Non-Asbestos Containing Material)

Presumed PACM (Presumed Asbestos Containing Material.

 Below is a link that hi-lights some of the asbestos removal projects completed for the calendar year.

Asbestos notification letter

I hope I have given some insight and peace of mind concerning Asbestos.

Again, if you need further assistance with any indoor or outdoor environmental issues,
please feel free to contact me anytime @ 801-402-5215.