AHERA Inspector flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

ACBM definition

Asbestos-containing building material is any material in a school building that contains more than 1 percent asbestos by weight, determined using the prescribed sampling and analysis methods.

Friable material

Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friability drives assessment priority because friable material releases fibers more readily.

LEA responsibility

The local education agency must ensure inspections, management plans, and response actions are completed for each school building it owns, leases, or uses for school purposes.

Reinspection interval

ACBM must be reinspected by an accredited inspector at least once every three years, with periodic surveillance performed every six months in the interim by a designated person.

Assumed ACBM rule

Material that is friable and has not been sampled, or where reliable information is lacking, must be assumed to be ACBM and managed accordingly without further analysis.

Management plan submission

Each school building's asbestos management plan must be submitted to the state governor or designee and made available to parents, teachers, and employee organizations.

Record retention requirement

Inspection reports, management plans, sampling records, and surveillance documentation must be retained for the life of the school building and made available for review.

Homogeneous area

A surfacing material, thermal system insulation, or miscellaneous material that is uniform in color and texture and was applied at approximately the same time.

AHERA statute

Title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act establishes the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, requiring accreditation of asbestos professionals and school management plans.

NESHAP Subpart M

40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M regulates asbestos emissions from demolition and renovation, requiring notification, work practices, and proper handling of regulated asbestos-containing material.

OSHA PEL

The permissible exposure limit for asbestos is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter as an eight-hour time-weighted average, with a 1.0 f/cc excursion limit over 30 minutes.

Model Accreditation Plan

The EPA plan setting minimum training hours and refresher intervals for inspectors, management planners, project designers, abatement supervisors, and workers.

Inspector training hours

Initial inspector accreditation requires 24 training hours covering inspection, sampling, assessment, and regulations, with annual refresher training to maintain accreditation.

RACM definition

Regulated asbestos-containing material includes friable asbestos material and certain nonfriable material that will be crumbled or pulverized during demolition or renovation activities.

Category I nonfriable

Nonfriable asbestos-containing material such as packing, gaskets, and roofing that cannot be crumbled by hand pressure and may become regulated when disturbed.

Employee notification

Employers must notify employees who may be exposed to asbestos and provide information about exposure levels, health effects, and protective measures under OSHA standards.

ASHAA purpose

The Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act provided federal financial assistance for abatement of hazardous asbestos conditions in school buildings.

Walk-through inspection

A systematic visual survey of all building areas, including concealed spaces and mechanical systems, to identify and document suspect asbestos-containing materials.

Random bulk sampling

Samples are collected in a statistically random pattern from each homogeneous area, with minimum sample numbers based on material type and friability.

PLM analysis

Polarized Light Microscopy identifies asbestos fibers by optical properties and estimates percentage by weight; point counting resolves results near the 1 percent threshold.

Significantly damaged

ACBM that has deteriorated or been disturbed such that it is likely to release fibers, requiring prompt response action such as repair or removal.

Assessment factors

Condition, friability, accessibility, potential for disturbance, water damage, and location in an air plenum determine the assessment and priority of ACBM.

Sample location documentation

Inspection records must identify each sample's location, the homogeneous area sampled, material description, and laboratory result for traceability.

Wet sampling methods

Bulk sampling uses wetting and careful tools to minimize fiber release, and sample points are sealed or repaired after collection to prevent disturbance.

Inspection report contents

Reports document homogeneous areas, sample results, material condition, assessment ratings, and locations so the management planner can select response actions.

O&M program

An operations and maintenance program manages intact ACBM through work practices, cleaning, training, and notification to prevent fiber release during routine activities.

Response action options

Permissible responses include operations and maintenance, repair, enclosure, encapsulation, and removal, selected based on condition, accessibility, and disturbance potential.

Removal criteria

Removal is indicated when ACBM is significantly damaged and cannot be repaired, or when renovation or demolition will disturb the material.

Enclosure vs encapsulation

Enclosure builds a barrier around ACBM; encapsulation seals the material surface. Both require the material to remain managed as ACBM with periodic surveillance.

Designated person

The individual designated by the LEA to ensure management plan implementation, conduct periodic surveillance, and coordinate response actions and recordkeeping.

Plan update triggers

Management plans must be updated after response actions, when new ACBM is identified, or when building use changes significantly.

Periodic surveillance

Visual checks every six months document the condition of ACBM and whether damage has occurred, triggering reassessment and possible response action.