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Asbestos containing acoustic ceiling tilesAsbestos-Ceiling Tile Removal
How to safely remove asbestos-containing Ceiling Tiles

Asbestos-containing ceiling removal procedures.

Here, in response to reader requests, we explain how to rermove asbestos-suspect ceiling tiles while minimizing the risk of creating hazardous dust and debris.

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How to Remove Asbestos or Asbestos-suspect Ceiling Tiles Safely

Ceiling tiles wet from a plumbing leak above (C) Insp0ectApedia.com Mr UnluckyAsbestos may have been used in the ceiling tile tiles and in lay-in ceiling tiles in suspended ceilings in the tile body or in paper facing or backing on the ceiling tiles; asbestos was also a common ingredient in some mastic adhesives used for glue-up application of ceiling tiles.

Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles are not considered friable but are soft enough that unnecessary sampling or disturbance may release asbestos dust and particles.

In addition, some ceiling tiles such as used in suspended ceilings may be holding a collection of asbestos-containing dust and debris (from other sources) on the hidden upper side of the tile.

In these articles we explain how to recognize and handle asbestos-suspect ceiling tiles or other ceiling or wall or building sheathing products,

Friable and nonfriable asbestos are defined

at ASBESTOS DEFINITION & COMPOSITION

Question: how do I get quick access to a ceiling where asbestos ceiling tiles may be present?

2018/01/07 Mr. Unlucky said:

Had a pipe burst early this morning, and it is above the laundry area. There are white tiles with gold speckles on them that will need to be removed. Is there any quick way to identify whether they are cellulose or asbestos? I have all the water turned off right now, but need to assess the damage.

This question and our reply were posted originally at ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION

Reply:

You'd need to send a sample to an asbestos test lab - for which during the week you can get 24 hour turnaround

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST for access to certified asbestos testing labs

OR you'd need to know that the ceiling was installed after say the mid 1980's in the U.S. to be confident it's not asbestos

OR you'd treat the tiles as presumed to contain asbestos and create as little dust as possible, controlling dust, taking appropriate precautions, etc.

In an emergency I'd choose the last option above since we don't want to wait days with water off. You should be able to remove the wet tile pretty easily with minimum dust. That may permit removing additional tiles pretty much intact if they're nailed or stapled up. (Glued tiles are more difficult.)

If the tiles are fastened to gypsum board it may be possible to cut through and remove enough ceiling to get at the pipes with little dust.

Just below we include several PDF files of procedures for safe access into a ceiling covered by asbestos-suspect ceiling tiles.

It is usually possible to remove asbestos ceiling tiles or asbestos-ceiling tiles with a minimum of hazardous dust and debris by following rather simple wetting, cleaning, and personal protective gear steps given by a number of sources. Below we provide links to documents describing these procedures in detail.

Watch out: the asbestos ceiling tile or asbestos-suspect ceiling tile procedures given below for three types of ceiling materials are incomplete in that every asbestos removal procedure, including the documents we provide below, includes additional specifications for required personal protection equipment such as respirator masks, eye protection, clothing, as well as other details.

Be sure to review the documents and also to check with your local building and environmental authorities for local regulations that apply where you live.

Here are removal procedures for four different asbestos-suspect or asbestos-confirmed ceiling covering materials

ASBESTOS CEILING TILE REMOVAL PROCEDURE

ASBESTOS HARDBOARD CEILING TILE REMOVAL PROCEDURE

ASBESTOS SUSPENDED CEILING TILE REMOVAL PROCEDURE

ASBESTOS INSULATING BOARD CEILING TILE REMOVAL PROCEDURE

Procedure for Removing Asbestos-Suspect Ceiling Tiles

This procedure for removing asbestos ceiling tiles is excerpted from the Alberta CA procedure cited below

3.4 REMOVAL OF CEILING TILES (High-Risk Asbestos Removal Procedure) (Greater than 100 square foot (ft2))

  1. Remove ceiling tiles, dust and debris under full containment conditions in accordance with ASBESTOS CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES Section 02 82 05 [PDF]
  2. Lightly mist tile surfaces with amended water to contain fibres during removal and continue to wet materials during removal and cleanup.
  3. Wet isolation barriers, fold toward inside, sides facing work area. Prepare for disposal and dispose of as contaminated waste.
  4. Air monitoring in removal area and a visual inspection by the [Province’s own forces] [Environmental Consultant] must be completed prior to acceptance of the work.

Procedure for removing hardboard asbestos ceiling tiles

This procedure for removing asbestos ceiling tiles is excerpted and adapted from the Manitoba CA procedure cited below

Work Procedures:

  1. Shutdown the HVAC system affecting the work area. Cover all HVAC vents and diffusers. These openings can be covered by poly or duct tape
  2. Isolate the work area by posting approved asbestos warning signage at the access points
  3. Install a poly drop sheet beneath the work area using duct tape
  4. Ensure all hardboard tiles to be disturbed remain in a damp state using a pump pressure sprayer
  5. Undo fasteners necessary to remove the hardboard using hand tools. Avoid breaking the board if possible
  6. HEPA vacuum top of tiles and screw holes in order to control dust levels
  7. Apply an approved encapsulant to the screw holes prior to re-installing tiles
  8. Upon completion of the required removal, thoroughly clean the work area with a HEPA vacuum or washcloth and dispose of the poly drop sheet as asbestos waste
  9. Dispose of any waste in two (2) sealed 6 mil asbestos labelled poly bags

Procedure for Removing an Asbestos-Suspect Suspended Ceiling

The Level-A Asbestos Risk procedure given below is excerpted and adapted from the Newfoundland CA source cited below

  1. Obtain materials and equipment needed for the work to be done and place in the work area.
  2. Secure access to the work area, as indicated above, and clear immediate work area of all moveable furnishings or equipment.
  3. When necessary shut off and lock out any HVAC or electrical systems to be worked on.
  4. Place drop cloth, ladder or scaffold in the work area beneath the tile that is to be lifted.
  5. Don PPE. [Personal Protection Equipment]
  6. Place the ladder or scaffold in the work area (on top of the drop cloth) beneath the tile that is to be lifted.
  7. Carefully raise the edge of the access tile. If the tile is obstructed by wires, ducts, conduits etc., move to another panel. DO NOT force the tile to lift it.
  8. Keep panel as flat as possible while lifting slightly above grid system. Slowly slide tile to one side so that it is lying on top of an adjacent panel.
  9. Before starting work perform a visual inspection of the ceiling space. Check the location and condition of any potential ACM in the space.
  10. Carefully replace the ceiling tile upon completion of the work.
  11. Ensure that any dust/debris created during the work (e.g. from the non-ACM ceiling tiles) is cleaned up before you exit the work area.

Procedure for Removing a single (screwed-in) asbestos insulating board (AlB) ceiling tile

This procedure is excerpted and adapted from the U.K. Health & Safety Executive a2 Asbestos Essentials Guidelines

Method 1: Removing a single ceiling tile less than 0.36 m2 in area (eg 60 cm x 60 cm)

Procedure

  1. Protect nearby surfaces from contamination. Cover with 500-gauge polythene sheeting and fix with duct tape to non-asbestos surfaces.

Removal

  1. Locate steel screws with the magnet. Locate brass screws by careful paint scraping.
  2. Use ‘shadow vacuuming’ to control dust – see sheet em4.
  3. Unscrew – put the screws in the waste bag.
  4. Carefully lower one end of the tile. Vacuum its upper surface.
  5. Spray the upper surface with PVA.
  6. Keep the tile flat and lower it gently.
  7. Place the tile in the asbestos waste bag.
  8. If asbestos fillets are present, seal with a sealant.
  9. Fix a new non-asbestos tile by attaching it to a non-asbestos surface, not to asbestos fillets.

Asbestos Ceiling Tile Removal Procedure Standards & Guidelines

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

(Mar 13, 2015) Sergio Freddson said:
This is a very thorough article! I never realized asbestos was so common in residential homes. I guess I just always assumed it was used more often in commercial buildings. I'll have to double check a few areas in my home for asbestos tiles. Thank you for your advice!

Reply:

Generally asbestos-containing materials such as ceiling tiles are safest left alone and in-place unless the material is damaged, falling down, shedding, leaving debris that can be tracked through a home or otherwise made airborne. It's ok to paint over, encapsulate, seal, or cover-over such materials if occupants prefer.

Unnecessary removal is actually more likely to be hazardous than leaving the material alone.


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