Asbestos Testing and Surveys in Spokane WA
Before anyone removes asbestos, someone has to prove it is there. Here is how surveys and lab tests work in Spokane County and what the clean air agency requires.
- Survey rules in plain words
- Who may take samples
- What to hand your contractor
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What a survey is and why Spokane requires one
A survey is an inspection of a building by a trained person who samples suspect materials and sends them to a lab.
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency requires a survey by an accredited AHERA building inspector before any renovation or demolition, and a copy has to be kept on site (SRCAA fact sheet). The rule applies to any structure regardless of its age. A house built in the 1990s is not automatically exempt.
AHERA stands for the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, the federal law that created the training standard for inspectors. In practice it means the person taking samples has finished an accredited course and holds a current certificate.
What gets sampled
Ceilings and walls
Texture, plaster and joint compound in rooms you plan to open.
Floors
Tile, sheet-flooring backing and the glue under both. See floor tile removal.
Attic and insulation
Loose fill and batts. Do not climb in to look. See vermiculite.
Pipes and boilers
Wrap, tape and block on heating lines. See pipe insulation.
Exterior
Siding, shingles, soffits and roofing felt.
Anything else disturbed
The survey should cover every material the project will touch.
EPA lists common locations such as vinyl floor tile, backing on sheet flooring and adhesives (EPA: Asbestos in Your Home).
How to prepare for a survey
- Decide the project first. A survey covers the area that will be disturbed, so know which rooms are in the plan.
- Clear access. Move furniture away from walls and floors to be sampled.
- Do not sample yourself. Breaking material loose can release fibers and may not meet the survey rule.
- Keep the report. SRCAA wants a copy on site during work, and buyers or lenders may ask for one.
- Hand it to your contractor. The report becomes the starting point for the scope and the notice.
What the report should contain
- Each material tested, with its location and approximate amount.
- The lab result for each sample.
- The inspector's name and accreditation.
- A statement of which materials are considered asbestos-containing.
Once you have it, go to the notification guide to see which fee tier your project falls into, or send the report with the contact form and we will scope the work.
Back to the Asbestos Removal Spokane home page.
Asbestos Testing and Surveys: questions and answers
Who can do an asbestos survey in Spokane?
Can I buy a test kit and do it myself?
SRCAA's rule requires a survey by an accredited inspector before renovation or demolition. Kits do not meet that requirement and the sampling itself can release fibers.
Is a survey needed for a small job?
The survey rule applies before any renovation or demolition. Notice rules have exemptions for small amounts, but the survey comes first.
How long does a survey take?
Sampling a typical house takes a few hours. Lab turnaround varies, so ask the inspector for the timeline.
Does a negative result close the matter?
A negative result means the tested material is not asbestos-containing. Materials not sampled are not covered, so make sure the survey covers everything the project will touch.
Who pays for the survey?
The owner or the project's general contractor usually orders it. Ask your contractor which applies.
Have a survey report?
Send it with the form. We will build the scope and the notice from it.