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