§ 1-107 Foam Procedure for Roof Removal.
RCNY § 1-107
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)
