What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the common name for a group of
naturally occurring minerals made up of long,
thin fibers. Asbestos is very strong and resistant
to stress or forces that might tear it apart. It’s
also heat resistant. Asbestos fibers can be toxic
to humans if inhaled. Despite this, it can still be
found in a number of building products, including:
• Heating system insulation
• Spray-applied insulation
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Vinyl sheet flooring
• Ceiling tiles
• Roofing paper and shingles
• Cement siding shingles
• Plaster and joint compound
**It is still possible to purchase new products that
contain asbestos. **
When materials that contain asbestos are
disturbed during renovations or demolitions,
people nearby may get the dangerous fibers
in their lungs. So before beginning a building
project that could disturb asbestos-containing
materials, property owners need to know how
to spot asbestos and ensure the safety of those
working nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is demolition?
A. Demolition is the wrecking or removal of
a regulated facility/structure’s load-bearing
structure(s). It also refers to related handling
operations, the burning of a regulated facility, or
moving of a regulated structure.
Q. What is renovation?
A. It’s altering all or
part of a regulated
facility/structure in
any way (except
demolition). Stripping
or removing regulated
asbestos-containing
materials (RACM)
from a regulated
facility/structure
is considered
renovation.
Q. What is a regulated facility?
A.
• Any institutional, commercial, public,
industrial, or residential structure,
installation, or building (including
condominiums or individual dwelling units
operated as a residential cooperative, but
excluding residential buildings having four
or fewer dwelling units);
• any bridge;
• any ship;
• any active or inactive waste disposal site;
and
•
• any structure, installation or building that
was previously subject to this requirement,
regardless of its current use or function.
Note:
Under this definition, any building, structure,
or installation that contains a loft used as a
dwelling is not considered a residential structure,
installation, or building.
Q. Do asbestos regulations require
me to have my property inspected for
asbestos?
A. S.C. DHEC Regulation 61-86.1 states that prior
to any demolition or renovation at a regulated
facility, a thorough inspection must be done
to detect any asbestos-containing materials.
The inspection must be carried out by a person
licensed by DHEC’s Asbestos Section as an
asbestos building inspector.
If asbestos is found in an area that will be
disturbed during renovation or repair work, it
must be removed properly and disposed of at
an approved landfill. DHEC’s Asbestos Section
keeps a list of South Carolina landfills that accept
asbestos. These actions also must occur prior to
any building demolition project. In most cases,
asbestos removal and disposal activities must
be performed by a licensed asbestos abatement
contractor.
Q. Am I required to submit notification of
all demolition projects?
A. Each owner/operator must notify DHEC’s
Asbestos Section in writing before beginning
any demolition of a regulated facility/structure
regardless of the amount of asbestos present
(and even when no asbestos is present).