Virginia Administrative Code › Title 1 - ADMINISTRATION › Agency 30 - DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES › Chapter 20 - SURVEY STANDARDS FOR THE INSPECTION OF HOSPITALS FOR THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS › Section 1VAC30-20-120:1 - APPENDIX A. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF THE 20-VARIABLE ALGORITHM

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
The 20-variable algorithm is an expansion on the old EPA or
				  Sawyer algorithm. Where the primary variables are identical to the Sawyer
				  algorithm, the first six variables have two sub-variable used to adjust the
				  subjective or general score. The subjective or general score can be adjusted to
				  represent a more accurate reflection of the true value of that general
				  variable.
ASSESS EACH OF THE FACTORS
Carefully consider each of the following seven factors (the
				  eighth factor, asbestos content, must be determined from laboratory reports)
				  and record your observations:
FACTOR ONE. MATERIAL CONDITION:
The condition of the asbestos-containing material is the
				  most important indicator of whether fibers have been released in the past or
				  may be released in the future.
An assessment of the condition should evaluate: the quality
				  of the installation, the adhesion of the material to the underlying substrate,
				  deterioration, destruction of the material by water, vandalism which has
				  damaged the material, and any other damage. Evidence of debris on horizontal
				  surfaces, material hanging, dislodged chunks, scrapings, indentations, or
				  cracking are indicators of poor material condition.
Condition is closely related to other factors considered in
				  the assessment inspection: if the asbestos-containing material is accessible,
				  it is likely to be damaged; if the activity level is high in the area, the
				  level of damage may be high; and materials which are exposed may be more likely
				  to sustain damage.
Accidental or deliberate physical contact with the material
				  can result in damage to the asbestos-containing material. Inspectors should
				  look for any evidence that the asbestos-containing material has been disturbed
				  such as finger marks in the material, graffitti, pieces dislodged or missing,
				  scrape marks from movable equipment or furniture, or accumulation of the
				  friable material of floors, shelves, or other horizontal surfaces.
Asbestos-containing material may deteriorate as a result of
				  the quality of the installation as well as environmental factors which affect
				  the cohesive strength of the asbestos-containing material or the strength of
				  the adhesion to the substrate. Deterioration can result in dusting of the
				  surface of the asbestos-containing material, delamination of the material
				  (i.e., separating into layers), or an adhesive failure of the material where it
				  pulls away from the substrate and either hangs loosely or falls to the floor
				  and exposed the substrate. Inspectors should touch the asbestos-containing
				  material and determine if dust is released when the material is lightly brushed
				  or rubbed. If the coated surface "gives" when slight hand pressure is applied
				  or the material moves up and down with light pushing, the asbestos-containing
				  material is no longer tightly bonded to its substrate.
FACTOR ONE: MATERIAL CONDITION:
This factor is comprised of three levels:
A. NO DAMAGE: Material is intact and shows no
				sign of deterioration.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. MODERATE DAMAGE - SMALL AREAS: Through
				visual inspection and physical contact there are indications that 10% or less
				of the material is breaking up into layers or beginning to fall. There may be
				small areas where the material is deteriorating. There may be signs of
				accidental or intentional damage.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 2
C. WIDESPREAD SEVERE DAMAGE: Greater than 10%
				of the material is damaged. Large pieces are dislodged or debris in the are is
				evident. Parts of the material may be suspended from the ceilings or may have
				fallen to the floor. Evidence of severe accidental or intentional damage.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 5
After the subjective score is determined for material
				  condition based on the standard EPA guidelines for determining such, the score
				  should be adjusted up one point or down one point depending on the building
				  area age. If the age of the material or building in question is greater than 30
				  years, the objective variable is increased by one. If the area age is less than
				  15 years, it is subtracted by one. If the age is between 15 and 30 years, the
				  score does not change. Then if the type of material, in particular pipe
				  coverings, is a magnesium or calcium silicate preformed pipe which has a
				  tendency to deteriorate more rapidly, the score is up by one; and if the
				  material type is corrugated air cell or paper product, it is reduced by one.
				  For ceiling plasters or fireproofing, if the material type is a more
				  cementitious Monokote Type it is reduced by one. If it is a cotton candy Cafco
				  type blaze shield or sound shield, it is up by one. For standard acoustical
				  plaster materials, there is no change in the subvariable.
FACTOR TWO: WATER DAMAGE:
Water damage is usually caused by roof leaks, particularly
				  in buildings with flat roofs or a concrete slab and steel beam construction.
				  Skylights can also be significant sources of leaks. Water damage can also
				  result from plumbing leaks and water in the vicinity of pools, locker rooms,
				  and lavatories.
Water can dislodge, delaminate, or disturb
				  asbestos-containing materials that are otherwise in satisfactory condition and
				  can increase the potential for fiber release by dissolving and washing out the
				  binders in the material. Materials which were not considered friable may become
				  friable after water has dissolved and leached out the binders. Water can also
				  carry fibers as a slurry to other areas where evaporation will leave a
				  collection of fibers that can become resuspended in the air.
Inspect the area for visible signs of water damage such as
				  discoloration of the asbestos-containing material, stains on the
				  asbestos-containing material, adjacent walls, or floor, buckling of the walls
				  or floor, or areas where pieces of the asbestos-containing material have
				  separated into layers (delaminated) or come loose and fallen down thereby
				  exposing the substrate.
Close inspection is required. In many areas staining may
				  only occur in a limited area while water damage causing delamination may have
				  occurred in a much larger area. In addition, the water damage may have occurred
				  since the original inspection for friable material was conducted causing new
				  areas to become friable and require an assessment inspection.
Delamination is particularly a problem in areas where the
				  substrate is a very smooth concrete slab. Check to see if the material "gives"
				  when pressure is applied from underneath.
FACTOR TWO: WATER DAMAGE:
This factor is comprised of three levels:
A. NO WATER DAMAGE: No water stains or
				evidence of the material being disturbed by water. No stains on the floor or
				walls to indicate past water damage.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. MINOR WATER DAMAGE: Small areas of othe
				material or adjacent floor or walls show water stains and ceiling material may
				be slightly buckled. However, pieces have not fallen from the ceiling and the
				damage affects 10% or less of the material.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 1
C. MODERATE TO MAJOR WATER DAMAGE: Water has
				dislodged some of the material and caused the material to break away, or has
				become saturated and has the potential to fall, or greater than 10% of the
				material has been affected. Asbestos fibers have been carried from the
				asbestos- containing material by water and evaporation has occurred, or the
				fibers have been deposited on other surfaces.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 2
After the general subjective determination has been made, if
				  the roof above the material is a sloped or hipped roof, the subjective is
				  reduced by 1/2. If it is a flat roof and built- up it is increased by 1/2. If
				  the substrate type is is metal or concrete, it is reduced by 1/2.
FACTOR THREE: EXPOSED SURFACE AREA:
The amount of asbestos-containing material exposed to the
				  area occupied by people can increase the likelihood that the material may be
				  disturbed and determines whether the fibers can freely move through the area.
				  An asbestos-containing material is considered exposed if it can be seen, i.e.,
				  if there are no physical barriers which must be moved in order to get to the
				  material. For a material not to be exposed, the barrier must be complete,
				  undamaged, and not likely to be removed or dislodged. An asbestos-containing
				  material should be considered exposed if it is visible, regardless of the
				  height of the material.
If the asbestos-containing material is located behind a
				  suspended ceiling with movable tiles, a close inspection must be made of the
				  condition of the suspended ceilings, the likelihood and frequency of access
				  into the suspended ceiling, and whether the suspended ceiling forms a complete
				  barrier or is only partially concealing the material.
Asbestos-containing material above a suspended ceiling is
				  considered exposed if the space above the suspended ceiling comprises an air
				  plenum. Suspended ceilings with numerous louvers, grids or other open spaces
				  should be considered exposed. This factor is comprised of three levels:
FACTOR THREE: EXPOSED SURFACE AREA:
A. MATERIAL NOT EXPOSED: Located above
				suspended ceiling. None visible without removing panels or ceiling sections.
				Suspended ceiling is not damaged.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. TEN PERCENT OR LESS OF THE MATERIAL IS
				EXPOSED: A few panels of a suspended ceiling have been removed. Spaces between
				ceiling tiles exist which would allow fibers to pass through the barrier.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 1
C. GREATER THAN 10% OF THE MATERIAL IS
				EXPOSED.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 4
After the general determination is made, if there is an HVAC
				  system that is part of the plenum area, the general determination is increased
				  by one. If there is no plenum but only an enclosed dead space, it is reduced by
				  one. If there is a semi- or permanent enclosure under the fireproofing or
				  acoustical plaster isolating the mechanical system, the general determination
				  is reduced by 1/2.
FACTOR FOUR: ACCESSIBILITY:
If the friable asbestos-containing material can be reached
				  by building users or maintenance people either directly or by impact from
				  objects used in the area, it is accessible and subject to accidental or
				  intention contact and damage. Material which is accessible is most likely to be
				  disturbed in the future.
Evidence of degree of accessibility can also be determined
				  by examining asbestos-containing surfaces for impact marks, gouges, scrapes,
				  finger marks, items thrown into the material, etc. Even coated ceilings 25 feet
				  high have been observed with pencils, pens, forks and other items stuck in the
				  material. Also note such practices as stacking boxes from floor to ceiling. The
				  top box may scrape the asbestos-containing coating off the ceiling when it is
				  moved.
The proximity of the friable asbestos-containing material to
				  heating, ventilation, lighting and plumbing systems requiring maintenance or
				  repair may increase its accessibility.
In addition, the activities and behavior of persons using
				  the building should be included in the assessment of whether the material is
				  accessible. For example, persons involved in athletic activities may
				  accidentally cause damage to the material on the walls and ceilings of
				  gymnasiums through contact by balls or athletic equipment. To become fully
				  aware of the uses of the building by its occupants, the inspector should
				  consult with building staff or personnel familiar with routine building
				  activities. This factor is comprised of three levels:
ACCESSIBILITY
A.
				NOT ACCESSIBLE: The material is located above a tight suspended ceiling or is
				concealed by ducts or piping. The building occupants cannot contact the
				material.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. RARELY ACCESSIBLE: The material is
				contacted only during abnormal activity such as infrequent maintenance or
				repair of nearby heating ventilation, lighting or plumbing systems. Building
				occupants rarely touch the material or throw objects against it.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 1
C. HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE: Material is contacted
				frequently due to routine maintenance. The building occupants can contact the
				material during normal activity at which time they routinely touch and dislodge
				the materials or throw objects against it.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 4
If the ceiling height or material height is greater than 9
				  1/2 feet, the subjective score is reduced by one. If it is under 9 1/2 feet it
				  is increased by one. Since the building occupancy and use status tells us a
				  great deal about how often the material is going to be accessed, we adjust the
				  subjective determination by 1 1/2+ depending on the amount of occupancy.
Pipe chases, crawl spaces, attics and mechanical air
				  handling rooms are reduced by 1 1/2, whereas major boiler rooms, classrooms,
				  secretarial pools, or offices are increased by 1 1/2.
FACTOR FIVE: ACTIVITY AND MOVEMENT
The level of activity and movement in the vicinity of the
				  asbestos-containing material can affect both the potential for disturbance of
				  the material as well as the level of resuspension of the fibers which have come
				  loose from the material. Consider not only the movement caused by the
				  activities of people in the area but also movement from other sources such as
				  high vibration from adjacent rooms, highways, et cetera.
Another source of vibration is sound, such as music and
				  noise. Sound sets airwaves in motion in certain frequencies. As these sound
				  waves impact on asbestos-containing material, they may vibrate this material
				  and contribute to fiber release. Therefore fibers may be released to a greater
				  extend in a band room, music practice room, or auditorium than in the remainder
				  of the building. Aircraft noise also has the ability to vibrate buildings;
				  therefore, the inspector should determine if the building is in a direct flight
				  path. It has been reported that in several schools whose ceilings were coated
				  with asbestos-containing acoustical plaster, the band rooms were dustier than
				  any other room in the school and granular material was deposited on floors and
				  desks after music practice sessions.
The level of activity can best be described by identifying
				  the purpose of the area as well as estimating the number of persons who enter
				  the area on a typical day.
ACTIVITY AND MOVEMENT
A. NONE OR LOW ACTIVITY: This level would
				normally include areas such as administrative offices, libraries, and those
				classrooms where the population is quiet and non-destructive.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. MODERATE ACTIVITY: This level describes
				corridors, classrooms or other areas where activities exit that could create
				undue vibration. This vibration could result in fibers being released from the
				material into the immediate area.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 1
C. HIGH ACTIVITY LEVEL: This level may be
				found in cafeterias and corridors whose occupants are vandalous or disruptive
				in their activities. This also includes all gymnasiums, swimming pools and
				rooms containing machinery.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 2
After the subjective determination is made, we must
				  determine whether there is sedentary or nonsedentary movement. If the room in
				  question is a library or other sedentary work environments, the subjective
				  variable is reduced by 1/2. However, if the area in question has a great deal
				  of activity such as in a hallway, a boiler room, a maintenance shed, etc. the
				  variable will be increased by 1/2. If the room in question in subject to sound
				  or mechanical vibration such as in an auditorium or a band hall or in an air
				  handling or boiler room where there are constant vibrations, the variable is up
				  by 1/2. If the area in question contains no recognizable sound or mechanical
				  vibrations, or if no air handling systems are on the roof of the area, the
				  subjective variable is reduced by 1/2.
FACTOR SIX: AIR PLENUM OR DIRECT AIR STREAM
An air plenum exists when the return (or, in rare cases,
				  conditioned) air leaves a room or hall through vents in a suspended ceiling and
				  travels at low speed and pressure through the space between the actual ceiling
				  and the suspended ceiling or ducts. In evaluating whether an air plenum or
				  direct air stream is present the inspector must look for evidence of ducts or
				  cavities used to convey air to and from heating or cooling equipment or the
				  presence of air vents or outlets which blow air directly onto friable
				  material.
A typical construction technique is to use the space between
				  a suspended ceiling and the actual ceiling as a return air plenum. In many
				  cases you will have to lift the tiles in the suspended ceiling to check if this
				  is the case. Inspection of the air handling or HVAC equipment rooms may also
				  provide evidence of the presence of this material in the plenums.
Special attention should be paid to whether activities such
				  as maintenance frequently occur which would disturb the material in the plenum.
				  Also any evidence that the material is being released or eroded (i.e. is it
				  damaged or deteriorated so that the material is free to circulate in the
				  airstream) such as accumulations of the material in the plenum should be noted.
				  The presence of a direct air stream is indicated by discoloration of the
				  asbestos coating in the vicinity of a vent or erosion patterns may be evident
				  in the asbestos-containing material.
AIR PLENUM OR DIRECT AIR STREAM
A. NO AIR PLENUM OR DIRECT AIR STREAM
				PRESENT:
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. AIR PLENUM OR DIRECT AIR STREAM PRESENT:
				Look for dust patterns deposited by an air stream on surfaces next to air
				supply diffusers. Fan rooms coated with asbestos-containing material may be
				contributing asbestos fibers to the building air if the circulation system
				draws air from such a coated room. Look for debris from the asbestos-containing
				material being deposited on dampers and filters of the air intake.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 1
After the general determination is made, we look at the
				  velocity of the air flow if in fact there is an air flow. If the air flow is
				  recognizable by human feeling rather than subtle, the variable is increased by
				  1/4. If it nonrecognizable it is reduced by 1/4. If the air flow is a constant,
				  steady stream it, again, is reduced by 1/4; whereas if the air flow is an
				  impact air flow such as through thermastatic action where large gusts of air
				  impact the material from time to time it is increased by 1/4.
FACTOR SEVEN. FRIABILITY
The term "friable" is applied to dry material that can be
				  crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure or which under
				  normal use or maintenance emits or can be expected to emit asbestos fibers into
				  the air. In order to evaluate the friability of the material it should be
				  touched. The asbestos-containing material can vary in degree of friability. The
				  more friable the material, the greater the potential for asbestos fiber release
				  and contamination. A material that contains asbestos can be expected to emit
				  fibers during use or maintenance if the original integrity of the material has
				  been disturbed.
FRIABILITY
A. NOT
				FRIABLE: Material that is hard and cannot be damaged by hand. An object is
				required to penetrate material. The material integrity has been maintained.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. LOW FRIABILITY: Material that is difficult
				yet possible to damage by hand. Material can be indented by forceful impact. If
				the granular, cementitious asbestos-containing material is rubbed, it leaves
				granules on the hand but no powder. Material integrity has been disturbed.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 1
C. MODERATE FRIABILITY: Fairly easy to
				dislodge and crush or pulverize. Material may be removed in small or large
				pieces. Material is soft and can easily be indented by hand pressure. The
				grandular, cementitious asbestos-containing material leaves a powder residue on
				the hands when rubbed.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 2
D. HIGH FRIABILITY: The material is fluffy,
				spongy, or flaking and may have pieces hanging down. Easily crushed or
				pulverized by hand pressure. Material may disintegrate or fall apart when
				touched
NUMERICAL VALUE: 3
FACTOR EIGHT: ASBESTOS CONTENT
The percentage for all types of asbestos present should be
				  added for the total asbestos content. The numerical value is assigned based
				  upon the report of analysis, not on appearance of the material.
With a high percentage of asbestos, there are more fibers
				  that can be released and contaminate the building environment. Therefore, if
				  certain areas are identical in their assessment using the other seven factors,
				  this factor will be helpful in establishing priorities and indicating which
				  area needs to be addressed first. This factor is comprised of three
				  levels
A. TRACE AMOUNTS TO ONE
				PERCENT.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 0
B. GREATER THAN ONE PERCENT TO FIFTY PERCENT.
				Ceiling and wall coatings most frequently encountered in this category are the
				granular, cementitious acoustical plasters.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 2
C. FIFTY PERCENT TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. Most
				frequently materials containing over 50% asbestos were pipe and boiler wrapping
				or the fibrous, cotton candy, type sprayed-on insulation.
NUMERICAL VALUE: 3
Step 2: Exposure number calculation
The exposure number is derived from the factor scores by a
				  formula. After entering the chosen factor scores on lines 1 through 8.
(a) Sum factors 1 through 6 and enter
				opposite SUM;
(b) Multiply factor 7
				times factor 8, and enter opposite PRODUCT;
(c) Multiply SUM times PRODUCT and enter
				opposite EXPOSURE NUMBER;
This number represents the result of your assessment for
				  each area of the building. The values can range from 0 to 162. The higher the
				  numerical value, the greater the potential for fiber release and therefore the
				  more hazardous the situation. The exposure number must now be compared to the
				  Corrective Action Scale, which is Step 3.
Step 3: Comparison of Exposure Number to Corrective Action
				  Scale
Appendix B, Corrective Action Scale, presents five Priority
				  Levels, and a range of Exposure Numbers for which that Priority Level is
				  appropriate. Compare the Exposure Number derived in Step 2 to the Priority
				  Levels in Appendix B. For example, an Exposure Number of 65 indicates that a
				  Priority Level of I should be assigned. An Exposure Number of 10, however,
				  indicates that a Priority Level of IV should be assigned. The proper response
				  action for each Priority Level is found in Section IX of these
				  standards.