§ 1-106 Tent Procedures.

All sections of these rules must be followed in conjunction with this section except 15 RCNY § 1-112(a) - (h). Tent Procedures must be conducted as follows:

   (a)   Tent procedures must be limited to the removal of less than 260 linear feet and 160 square feet of ACM on any individual floor and must not result in disturbance of ACM during tent erection. Tent procedures may be used as part of a large asbestos project only as provided for in 15 RCNY § 1-81(f) or in conjunction with the glovebag procedure set forth in 15 RCNY § 1-105. Multiple tent enclosures may be used as part of a large asbestos project on an individual floor only in conjunction with the use of the glovebag procedure set forth in 15 RCNY § 1-105. Multiple tent enclosures without the use of the glovebag procedure on a large asbestos project require a variance for the use of modified tent procedures and a remote worker decontamination enclosure. Air monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with 15 RCNY §§ 1-31 through § 1-45.

   (b)   Tent procedures must be conducted in a constructed or commercially available fire retardant plastic tent, plasticizing and sealing all surfaces and fixed objects not being abated within the tent periphery forming an enclosure. The tent must be of fire retardant 6-mil plastic at a minimum, with seams heat-sealed, or double-folded, stapled and taped airtight and then taped flush with the adjacent tent wall. This is a single use barrier that must not be reused once dismantled or collapsed.

   (c)   There shall be an airlock at the entrance to the tent, unless there is an attached worker or waste decontamination system.

   (d)   Asbestos handlers involved in the tent procedure must wear personal protective equipment as specified in 15 RCNY § 1-51(c), plus a second disposable suit. All street clothes must be removed and stored in a clean room within the work site. The personal protective equipment with two disposable suits must be used for installation of the tent and throughout the procedure if a decontamination unit with a shower is not physically connected to the tent. If a decontamination unit (with shower and clean room at a minimum) is physically connected to the tent, only one disposable suit shall be required; in this case, prior to exiting the tent, the worker must HEPA vacuum and wet clean the disposable suit.

   (e)   The tent shall be attached to the surface to produce an airtight seal except for an appropriate section to allow for make-up air into the tent.

   (f)   Negative pressure ventilation equipment shall be used to continuously exhaust the enclosed area as specified under 15 RCNY § 1-91, Engineering Controls.

   (g)   Removal of ACM shall be by wet methods in accordance with 15 RCNY § 1-102.

   (h)   ACM removed shall be placed in a leak-tight container without dropping it.

   (i)   Upon completion of abatement, and prior to tent collapse, the enclosed surfaces shall:

      (1)   be wet cleaned using rags, mops or sponges; and

      (2)   be permitted sufficient time to dry, prior to HEPA vacuuming all substrates; and

      (3)   be encapsulated to lockdown residual asbestos.

   (j)   Upon barrier disturbance, loss of engineering controls, or termination of tent usage, the tent and the enclosed surfaces shall be treated according to subdivision (i) above.

   (k)   The bagged waste shall be wet cleaned or HEPA vacuumed and then transferred outside the tent, double bagged, and appropriately handled prior to disposal.

   (l)   The outer disposable suit (if 2 suits are worn) shall be HEPA vacuumed in the tent prior to exiting. The outer disposable suit shall be removed in the airlock and a clean suit shall be worn over the inner suit. The workers shall immediately proceed to a shower at the work site. The inner disposable suit and respirator shall be removed in the shower after appropriate wetting. The disposable clothing shall be disposed of as asbestos-containing waste material. The workers shall then fully and vigorously shower with supplied liquid bath soap, shampoo, and clean dry towels.

   (m)   The negative pressure ventilation equipment shall be used to filter a minimum of 4 volume changes through the tent after completion of abatement but prior to collapse of the tent/barrier. All required air monitoring must be successfully completed before the tent/barrier is collapsed.

   (n)   The tent shall be collapsed inward, enclosing the contaminated clothing. This contaminated material shall be disposed of in another plastic bag. The HEPA vacuum shall be decontaminated and sealed.

   (o)   Glovebag procedures for removal of material within the tent for any sized project shall follow the rules set forth in 15 RCNY § 1-105.

   (p)   A visual clearance inspection must be conducted by the asbestos handler supervisor and project monitor after the work area dries, to ensure the absence of ACM residue or debris in the work area. The clearance inspection must be documented in the abatement contractor's log and the project air sampling log.

(Amended City Record 12/7/2018, eff. 1/6/2019; amended City Record 4/28/2022, eff. 5/28/2022; amended City Record 1/15/2025, eff. 2/14/2025)

§ 1-107 Foam Procedure for Roof Removal.

All sections of these rules must be followed in conjunction with this section with the exception of 15 RCNY § 1-81(m), § 1-81(p), § 1-91, § 1-102(b), § 1-112(c), (d), (e), (g) and (h).

   (a)   These procedures apply only to the removal of asbestos-containing roofing material (ACRM) from exterior roof surfaces. The work area on the roof must be cordoned off with clearly visible barriers such as caution tape, and only persons authorized by the building owner or the building owner's representative may have access.

      (1)   The contractor must establish and maintain a warning line system on the roof throughout the project.

      (2)   The contractor must comply with the requirements set forth in OSHA 29 C.F.R. 1926. Subpart M, Fall Protection standard, specifically 29 C.F.R. 1926. 500; 501; and 502.

      (3)   Only persons authorized by the building owner or the building owner's representative may have access to the roof during abatement activities.

      (4)   Walking Surfaces. Walking and working surfaces shall be protected from tripping or stepping into or through holes or openings, including skylights, by covers secured to the surface in accordance with OSHA Section 29 C.F.R. 1926.501.

   (b)   The foam or viscous liquid shall be non-toxic, shall not require special respiratory protection for handling, and shall not affect the handling and disposal of the waste.

   (c)   The foam or viscous liquid shall coat and maintain a stable blanket (minimum 1" thickness) for the duration of the removal process and shall leave an identifiable colored residue when it dissipates.

   (d)   The foam or viscous liquid shall wet the ACRM. The ACRM shall be kept wet through the bagging process.

   (e)   Persons entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment as required by 15 RCNY § 1-51 as well as correctly-fitting, good traction rubber boots.

   (f)   Abatement shall not be carried out during adverse weather conditions (e.g. precipitation, high winds, ambient temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.).

   (g)   The worker decontamination unit may be attached to each work area at an entry/exit from each work area in accordance with 15 RCNY § 1-82, or may be remote, in which case the work area shall be equipped with an airlock at the entrance. For removal of less than 1,000 square feet of ACRM, in addition to the shower head(s), the shower room shall be equipped with a flexible hose for waste decontamination. For 1,000 square feet or more of ACRM removal, a separate waste decontamination facility as per 15 RCNY § 1-83 shall be located at an entry/exit from each work area. Remote holding areas for the asbestos containing waste shall comply with Title 16, Chapter 8, Rules of the City of New York (16 RCNY §§ 8.01 et seq.).

   (h)   Movable objects shall be removed from the work area, or kept in place and wrapped in one sheet of fire retardant 6 mil plastic sheeting.

   (i)   Provisions must be made to ensure a safe and adequate air supply to any affected building. All vents, skylights, air intakes, windows and doors opening onto the roof, and all other openings must be sealed with 2 layers of fire retardant 6mil plastic or fitted with HEPA filters when appropriate. Vents, air intakes, etc. can be vertically extended temporarily to a height of ten feet instead of sealing them with 2 layers of plastic or HEPA-filters. Drains may be equipped with 5 micron filtering system in lieu of being sealed.

   (j)   Fixed objects including perimeter walls, bulkheads, cooling towers, ducts and other rooftop accessories must be covered in one sheet of fire retardant 6 mil plastic up to a height of at least six feet.

   (k)   Prior to actual removal, the built-up roofing shall be blanketed and wetted with a minimum 1" coating of the acceptable foam or viscous liquid which shall be maintained for the duration of the removal until the material is bagged. The foam or viscous liquid shall be confined to the work area.

   (l)   Power tools used to drill, cut into, or otherwise disturb the ACRM shall be equipped with HEPA-filtered local exhaust ventilation and operated to prevent potential fiber release.

   (m)   Clean-up procedures shall include the removal and direct bagging of ACRM, so that loose ACRM does not accumulate on the roof. Exterior or interior chutes are prohibited to transport ACRM from the roof to lower floors. Clean-up procedures shall also include the removal of all visible accumulations of asbestos containing waste and the removal of all excess foam or similar viscous liquids. Following the removal of all debris, the work area shall be thoroughly wet cleaned.

   (n)   The work area shall be allowed to dry completely before the visual inspection is conducted. The project monitor and asbestos handler supervisor shall confirm the absence in the work area of ACM, asbestos-containing waste or debris, and foam or other viscous liquid. This visual inspection must be documented in the abatement contractor's log and project air sampling log.

   (o)   Upon successful visual inspection, all installed plastic sheeting shall be removed.

   (p)   Air monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Subchapter D of these rules.

(Amended City Record 12/7/2018, eff. 1/6/2019; amended City Record 4/28/2022, eff. 5/28/2022)

§ 1-108 Foam/Viscous Liquid Use in Flooring Removal.

All sections of these rules must be followed in conjunction with this section with the exception of 15 RCNY § 1-81(m), § 1-81(p), § 1-91(c), § 1-102(b), § 1-112(d), and § 1-112(g).

   (a)   These procedures only apply to the removal of surface flooring material including vinyl asbestos floor tiles (VAT), ACM floor coverings (e.g., linoleum) and associated mastics and adhesives, where the only ACM being abated in the work area is flooring material.

   (b)   The foam or viscous liquid shall be non-toxic, shall not require special respiratory protection for handling, and shall not affect the handling and disposal of the waste.

   (c)   The foam or viscous liquid shall coat and maintain a stable blanket (minimum 1" thickness) for the duration of the removal process and shall leave an identifiable colored residue when it dissipates. The acceptable foam or viscous liquid shall be maintained for the duration of the removal until the material is bagged.

   (d)   The foam or viscous liquid shall coat and wet the ACM. The ACM shall be kept wet through the bagging process.

   (e)   Persons entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment as required by 15 RCNY § 1-51 as well as correctly-fitting, good-traction rubber boots.

   (f)   Baseboards and wall surfaces up to a minimum height of four feet above the floor must be covered with a layer of fire retardant 6-mil plastic sheeting. If hand power tools are used during the abatement, wall surfaces must be covered with a layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting to a minimum height of six feet. Abrasive removal methods, including the use of grinders and beadblasters, are prohibited.

   (g)   Negative air pressure ventilation shall be provided to allow make-up air into the work area, and the air outlet from the work area shall be at or near the floor level.

   (h)   Clean-up procedures shall involve removal and bagging of the ACM, of visible accumulations of asbestos containing waste, and of all traces of foam or similar viscous liquid. Following the removal of all debris, the work area shall be thoroughly wet cleaned and HEPA-vacuumed.

   (i)   The work area shall be allowed to dry completely before the visual inspection is conducted. The project monitor and asbestos handler supervisor shall confirm the absence in the work area of ACM, asbestos-containing waste or debris, and foam or other viscous liquid. This visual inspection must be documented in the abatement contractor's log and project air sampling log.

   (j)   Upon successful visual inspection, plastic sheeting shall be removed from baseboards and wall surfaces. Isolation barriers shall remain in place.

   (k)   Air monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Subchapter D of these rules.

(Amended City Record 12/7/2018, eff. 1/6/2019; amended City Record 4/28/2022, eff. 5/28/2022; amended City Record 1/15/2025, eff. 2/14/2025)

§ 1-109 Abatement from Vertical Exterior Surfaces.

All applicable sections of these rules shall be followed in conjunction with this section except 15 RCNY § 1-81(m), § 1-81(p), § 1-91, and § 1-112(c), (d), (e), (g), and (h).

This section shall apply to projects involving the abatement of asbestos-containing materials from the vertical exterior surfaces (and associated horizontal surfaces, e.g. coping stones on top of a parapet wall) of a building or structure, including but not limited to the following materials:

   Caulking or glazing compounds
   Asphaltic mastic or tar (e.g., flashing on parapet walls)
   Cement siding or shingles (including Transite)
   Paints
   Sealants for coping stone caps or clay roofing tiles

   (a)   The work area shall be prepared as follows:

      (1)   The entire surface to be abated and ground-level perimeter shall be considered the work area unless partitions and warning tape are used to define the work area, except that if the horizontal surface below the surface to be abated is not the ground (e.g., surface to be abated is inside parapet wall on roof), the horizontal surface underneath the abatement shall be considered the work area, not the ground.

      (2)   A restricted area shall be established using warning tape extending at least 25 feet from the affected areas of the building or to the nearest vertical obstruction or the curb.

      (3)   The restricted area may be entered only by certified workers or authorized visitors.

      (4)   Before plasticizing, the restricted area shall be inspected for ACM debris and, if necessary, pre-cleaned using HEPA vacuums and wet methods.

      (5)   All openings to the building or structure's interior which are within 25 feet of the affected ACM shall be closed and made airtight.

      (6)   Scaffolding erected to access the ACM shall be constructed, maintained, and used in accordance with applicable federal, state, and city laws. The contractor must comply with the requirements set forth in OSHA 29 C.F.R. 1926. Subpart M, Fall Protection and Subpart L (Scaffolds) and the NYC Building Code.

      (7)   Elevated platforms being used to access the affected ACM shall be plasticized with two layers of fire-retardant 6-mil plastic, which shall extend up from the platform to at least the height of the mid-rail on three sides, and shall be attached directly to the building just below the surfaces under abatement.

      (8)   The ground-level restricted area shall be cleared of all moveable objects and plasticized with two sheets of fire-retardant 6-mil plastic, which shall be extended one foot up the side of the building. The plasticized area shall be twenty-five feet wide or to the curb. This plastic shall be cleaned, replaced, and disposed of as asbestos waste at the end of each shift.

      (9)   Sidewalk bridges in the restricted area shall be covered with two layers of fire-retardant 6-mil plastic, placed over and secured to the bridge, spread across the full width of the bridge and up the interior walls of the bridge so the walls are fully plasticized.

   (b)   A worker/waste decontamination system shall be constructed within the restricted area.

   (c)   Persons entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment as required by 15 RCNY § 1-51.

   (d)   Removal Procedure. 

      (1)   Removal of ACM must be by wet methods in accordance with 15 RCNY § 1-102.

      (2)   ACM removed must be placed in a leak-tight container without dropping the ACM into the container.

   (e)   Cleanup Procedure. 

      (1)   The stripped substrate must be HEPA vacuumed and wet-wiped.

      (2)   A visual clearance inspection must be conducted by the asbestos handler supervisor and project monitor after the work area dries, to ensure the absence of ACM residue or debris in the work area.

      (3)   After the inspection is completed, the warning tapes and barriers may be removed.

      (4)   The clearance inspection must be documented in the abatement contractor's log and the project air sampling log.

   (f)   Air monitoring must be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Subchapter D of these rules.

   (g)   Abatement must not be performed under this section during bad weather (e.g. precipitation, high winds, temperatures in the immediate outdoor surroundings below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.).

   (h)   Power tools used to drill, cut into, or otherwise disturb ACM must be equipped with HEPA-filtered local exhaust ventilation and operated to prevent potential fiber release.

(Amended City Record 12/7/2018, eff. 1/6/2019; amended City Record 4/28/2022, eff. 5/28/2022)

§ 1-110 Controlled Demolition with Asbestos in Place.

   (a)   A building or structure may be demolished with asbestos in place only if the building is in imminent danger of collapse as set forth in § 28-215.1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code and/or 56 NYCRR 11.5(c).

   (b)   A condemnation order or declaration issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) or a signed and sealed condemnation letter from the Owner's registered design professional which has been acknowledged by the Department of Buildings (DOB) must be submitted to the DEP through the ARTS E-File system. A site-specific scope of work identifying the steps to control asbestos emissions during the controlled demolition must be submitted and approved by DEP prior to the commencement of work. The contractor must comply with all procedures set forth in the approved scope of work document. Any variation from the approved scope of work must be approved in advance by DEP.

   (c)   The demolition shall be performed in accordance with § 28-215.1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code and/or 56 NYCRR 11.5(c).

(Amended City Record 4/28/2022, eff. 5/28/2022; amended City Record 1/15/2025, eff. 2/14/2025)

Part 5: Clean-up Procedures

§ 1-111 Preliminary Clean-up Procedures.

The following clean-up requirements shall be followed during the conduct of abatement activities on asbestos projects:

   (a)   (1)   All waste generated shall be bagged, wrapped or containerized immediately upon removal. The personal and waste decontamination enclosure systems and floor and scaffold surfaces shall be HEPA vacuumed and wet cleaned at the end of each work shift at a minimum.

      (2)   Visible accumulations of asbestos-containing waste material shall be containerized utilizing non-metallic dust pans and non-metallic squeegees or HEPA vacuums.

      (3)   Metal shovels shall not be used to pick up or move accumulated asbestos-containing waste material or any other debris in the vicinity of isolation or surface barriers.

   (b)   The waste decontamination enclosure system shall be wet cleaned twice using wet cleaning methods upon completion of waste removal. When the worker decontamination enclosure shower room alternates as a waste container wash room, the shower room shall be washed immediately with cloths or mops saturated with a detergent solution prior to wet cleaning.

   (c)   The worker decontamination enclosure system shall be wet cleaned / HEPA vacuumed, as appropriate, after each shift change and meal break.

   (d)   If there is free standing water or if flooding occurs in the work area, work must stop until the water is collected and safely and properly removed.

(Amended City Record 12/7/2018, eff. 1/6/2019)

§ 1-112 Additional Clean-up Procedures (Final).

Additional clean-up procedures shall be performed in the order set forth below prior to commencement of clearance air monitoring.

   (a)   After removal of visible accumulations of asbestos-containing waste material, all surfaces must be HEPA vacuumed. To pick up excess water and saturated debris, a wet-dry shop HEPA vacuum, dedicated to asbestos abatement, may be used.

   (b)   All surfaces in the work area shall be wet cleaned (first cleaning).

   (c)   A thin coat of lockdown encapsulant shall be applied to all surfaces in the work area which were not the subject of removal or abatement, including the cleaned layer of the surface barriers and excluding sprinklers, standpipes, and other active elements of the fire suppression system.

   (d)   After the first cleaning, the work area shall be vacated for 12 hours to allow fibers to settle.

   (e)   The cleaned and encapsulated layer of the surface barriers shall be removed from the walls and floors.

   (f)   All objects and surfaces in the work area shall be HEPA vacuumed and wet cleaned a second time.

   (g)   After the second cleaning, the work area shall be vacated for 4 hours before wet cleaning and/or HEPA vacuuming all surfaces in the work area for a third cleaning.

   (h)   After the plastic barriers on the walls and floors have been removed, a third cleaning shall be performed of all surfaces in the work area by wet cleaning and/or HEPA vacuuming. A minimum of a one hour waiting period shall be conducted to allow the work area to dry prior to the visual inspection by the air monitor and asbestos supervisor.

   (i)   Before starting clearance air monitoring, a thorough visual inspection must be conducted to verify the absence of asbestos-containing waste material (e.g. dust). This inspection must be documented in the project air sampling log.

   (j)   All containerized waste shall be removed from the work area through the decontamination enclosures and the holding area.

   (k)   All tools and equipment shall be removed from the work area and decontaminated in the waste decontamination enclosure system. Cloths, mops, and other cleaning aids shall be disposed of as asbestos-containing waste material.

   (l)   After successful clearance air monitoring (see 15 RCNY §§ 1-31 et seq.), the isolation barriers shall be removed and the remaining worker and waste decontamination enclosure(s) must be dismantled and removed from the work site. All plastic sheeting must be cleaned using a HEPA vacuum and disposed of as asbestos contaminated waste.

   (m)   Within 21 days of the completion of all steps set forth above, including successful clearance air monitoring, a project monitor’s report (Form ACP15) must be submitted to DEP. Failure to submit the ACP15 Form will result in suspension of the air monitor’s account and the contractor’s account in the ARTS E-File System until the form is submitted. This report must be based on an inspection performed after the completion of all steps listed in this section, and may not be based on the visual inspection performed prior to the commencement of clearance air monitoring. This inspection must be documented in the project air sampling log. The project monitor who prepares the report must be independent of the abatement contractor. If a project is being performed on multiple floors of a building, a separate project monitor’s report may be submitted as each floor is completed. Compliance with this subdivision is the responsibility of the building owner.

(Amended City Record 12/7/2018, eff. 1/6/2019 amended City Record 4/28/2022, eff. 5/28/2022; amended City Record 1/15/2025, eff. 2/14/2025)

Subchapter G: Pre-Demolition Abatement Activity Procedures