Asbestos Floor Tile Projects

The National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos defines regulated asbestos containing materials (RACM) as friable asbestos containing materials (ACM) and Category I non-friable ACM that has or will become friable. Further, the NESHAP definition of Category 1 ACM includes floor tile. 

Georgia’s Rules for Asbestos Removal and Encapsulation (Rule 391-3-14) defines "Friable Asbestos-Containing Material" as any material which is applied onto ceilings, walls, structural members, piping, boilers, tanks, pumps, ductwork or any other part of the building containing more than 1 percent asbestos, by weight, and which when dry may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. In addition, Georgia defines a "Project" as the removal or encapsulation by a contractor of friable asbestos-containing material from any facility or residential dwelling.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (EPD) uses two criteria to determine whether a project pertaining to floor tile is regulated or not: the condition of the floor tile and the method(s) that will be employed to remove the floor tile and mastic (if present).

EPD does not consider removal methods including, but not limited to, chemical methods, dry ice, and infrared machines a regulated activity since these methods typically do not generate RACM.

EPD considers removal methods by “mechanical means” such as long-handled scrapers (ice chippers, shovels, spud bars, etc.), powered mechanical chisels, or shot-blaster as a regulated friable project since these methods subject the floor tiles to breakage and, therefore, generate RACM.  

Any removal project of friable asbestos over 10 square feet or 10 linear feet must be performed by a Georgia Licensed Asbestos Contractor. The licensed contractor must submit a project notification and pay any associated fees for said removal and follow all standard work practices, including wet removal and proper disposal.