Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.324 Asbestos Abatement

This section sets forth the minimum fire and life safety requirements for the removal of asbestos-containing materials including, but not limited to, fire protective coatings.

The following words or group of words, when used in this section, shall be defined as follows:

Asbestos Abatement. Removal of any asbestos containing material.

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). Any material containing .1% or more dry weight asbestos.

Clean Room. The room immediately adjacent to the work area from which the work area is accessed.

Containment Area. Any area where critical barriers are taped and access is not possible without respiratory protection.

Contractor. The licensed contractor performing the asbestos abatement.

HEPA Filter. High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters.

Job Start. The abatement job begins with the taping of critical barriers.

Negative Air Machine. A filtering machine whose primary purpose is to maintain a negative atmosphere in the containment area during the asbestos abatement process.

Respray. Reapplication of an approved fire protective coating.

SCAQMD. South Coast Air Quality Management District.

VAT. Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile.

The Fire Department and Department of Building and Safety will, at their discretion, inspect the work sites for compliance with the requirements contained in this section. All approvals are subject to field inspection.

A Fire Department Specific Action or Project Permit listed in Section 57.105.7 is required to conduct any asbestos removal which reduces the fire resistiveness of any building, or results in the removal of 100 square feet or more of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). Residential dwelling structures of four units or less shall be exempt. For the purpose of this regulation, ACM which is expressed in linear feet shall be computed and reported as a total equivalent surface area in square feet.

The licensed contractor performing the asbestos abatement shall obtain the required permit and shall pay all required fees.

A permit for asbestos abatement is good for 180 days from the date of issuance and only for the specific project for which it is issued. Any project which is not completed within that period of time shall require a new permit.

Permit fees shall be collected by the Fire Department upon application for a permit.

Three 8-1/2" x 11" copies of a plot plan depicting all areas undergoing abatement, drawn to scale, shall be provided by the contractor at the time of permit application.

The following shall be included in the drawing:

1. Each drawing must show the entire floor area, with north indicated at the top, and clearly indicate the area(s) undergoing abatement by outlining in red.

2. All entrances and exits for each containment area must be shown. Any exit which is blocked by the containment shall have the word “BLOCKED” printed next to it.

3. Location of each negative air machine shall be indicated.

4. Location of the negative air machine emergency shut-off switch shall be shown.

   5. Location of emergency Fire Department protective entry clothing shall be shown.

Permits for asbestos abatement shall be obtained at the Engineering counter of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety at least ten calendar days prior to the beginning of the job.

Before accepting an application for any permit required by Section 57.324, the Department will collect the fees established by the most current cost-recovery schedule published, as provided by Section 57.106.6.3 and applicable thereto. Fees established by the procedure set forth in Section 57.106.6.3 shall apply to permits for all occupancies at a flat rate of $300, plus nine cents per square foot of ACM abated over 1,000 square feet.

Notification and maintenance of information shall be in accordance with Sections 57.324.5.1 through 57.324.5.3.1.1.

The licensed contractor performing the abatement process shall submit to the Los Angeles Fire Department three properly completed copies of the SCAQMD Rule 1403 Notification Form, or separate sheets containing the same information, at the time of application for the permit to remove the ACM.

A separate letter shall be mailed by the contractor to the Fire Department within 48 hours of the completion of permitted work stating that the removal of asbestos is complete and that all removed fireproofing has been replaced, including all required respray, in a manner approved by the Department of Building and Safety. This letter shall be signed by the contractor or by any subcontractor performing the respray. If the contractor does not perform the respray, or cause the respray to be performed by a subcontractor, the contractor shall forward a letter to the Fire Department within 48 hours of the completion of the work stating that the removal of the asbestos is complete; that all required fireproofing has been replaced, if applicable, excluding respray; and stating the name of the contractor hired to do the respray. If the name of the contractor hired to do the respray is unavailable, the letter shall so state.

Plans described in Section 57.324.4 shall be kept by the contractor in a clearly identified three-ring loose-leaf binder located in the building’s Fire Control Room, at the building’s staffed security desk if no Fire Control Room exists, or if neither of these locations exists, at a location approved by the Fire Department.

The loose-leaf binder shall be updated daily and used exclusively to provide the Fire Department with accurate emergency information. The binder shall also include an introduction page, containing the information set forth in Section 57.324.5.3.1.1.

1. The name, address, and business and emergency phone numbers for the:

   a. Asbestos Contractor.

   b. Respray Contractor.

   c. Project Consultant.

   d. Job Superintendent.

2. Start and completion dates for the abatement project, including respray.

3. Regular working days and working hours.

4. Job site and phone number.

All plastics, spray-on strippable coatings, and structural materials used in the asbestos abatement process must be certified as fire retardant or non-combustible. This includes, but is not limited to, plastic sheeting, temporary structures, separations, supports, and scaffolding. Wood which is pressure impregnated and certified as fire retardant is acceptable. All pressure impregnated wood used shall be stamped by the approved applicator (C.C.R. Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 8, Article 5) as being fire retardant, and the stamp on the wood shall be visible upon inspection. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by the manufacturer shall be maintained at the job site for all fire- retardant plastics and shall be made available upon request by the Fire Department.

EXCEPTION: Tape used to hang poly and to tape critical barriers need not be fire retardant. Plexiglass used for viewing ports into the work area need not be fire retardant provided the ports are not larger than 4 square feet and have a total aggregate area of less than 40 square feet.

The asbestos abatement process shall not cause a building to have an amount of exiting less than that required for the existing occupant load. In all cases where the required exiting must be obstructed, an alternate means of exiting must be provided which is approved by the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety.

A minimum of two clearly marked exits shall be maintained from each floor during the abatement process. The second exit from a containment area may be covered with plastic upon approval of the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety. The covered exit shall be outlined with red duct-type tape, and a cutting device shall be kept immediately adjacent to the door in an obvious and readily accessible location. The cutting device shall also be surrounded by a square of red duct-type tape as described above.

At no time shall the asbestos abatement process involve, block, impede, or obstruct any stairwell in a multistory building. Any asbestos abatement plan involving any stairwell must be approved by the field inspector before commencing work on that stairwell.

At least one stairwell door shall open into a non- contaminated area of a floor under containment, regardless of the size of containment.

Allowable locations shall comply with Sections 57.324.8.1 through 57.324.8.3.

In multi-story buildings where more than 25% of the floor area is undergoing abatement or under demolition in preparation for abatement, the following shall apply:

1. Asbestos abatement is permitted on a floor- by-floor basis, provided that no two consecutive floors are undergoing active abatement simultaneously. A maximum of every other floor, up to a total of three floors out of five, is permitted.

2. A minimum of five clean buffer floors must separate each group from the next five-floor group undergoing abatement.

3. Buffer floors must have all required fire and life safety equipment and fire protective coatings in place.

In single-story buildings, a maximum of 50% of the total floor space may be under active abatement at any one time. Required legal exiting shall be maintained.

Unoccupied buildings may be allowed greater latitude during the abatement process. Any variance from the provisions of this section will be considered on a case-by- case basis.

In addition to the warning signs mandated by other regulatory agencies, the following asbestos abatement signs are required, pursuant to Sections 57.324.9.1 through 57.324.9.2.2.

Additional asbestos abatement signs are required.

A standard 20" x 14" red, black, and white asbestos abatement warning sign is required in the Fire Control Room/Fire Command Center adjacent to the fire alarm annunciator panel.

A 12" x 12" sign with a minimum 3" high x 1/2" wide lettering on a contrasting background indicating which floors are involved in the abatement process. This sign shall be placed in the Fire Control Room/Fire Command Center adjacent to the fire alarm annunciator panel.

If no Fire Control Room/Fire Command Center exists, the warning signs required and described in Sections 57.324.9.1.1 and 57.324.9.1.1.1 above shall be placed adjacent to the building’s fire alarm annunciator panel, or in a location approved by the Fire Department.

An additional set of signs as described in both Sections 57.324.9.1.1 and 57.324.9.1.1.1 shall be placed on each landing in each stairwell which leads to any floors undergoing abatement:

1. Beginning two floors below the affected floor.

2. On the floor above the affected floor.

Additional asbestos abatement signs are required.

A standard 20" x 14" red, black, and white asbestos abatement warning sign is required in the Fire Control Room/Fire Command Center adjacent to the fire alarm annunciator panel.

If no Fire Control Room/Fire Command Center exists, the warning signs required and described in Sections 57.324.9.1.1 and 57.324.9.1.1.1 above shall be placed adjacent to the building’s fire alarm annunciator panel, or in a location approved by the Fire Department.

Fire Protective equipment shall be maintained in compliance with Sections 57.324.10.1 through 57.324.10.3.4.

A minimum of one 4A/60B:C dry chemical extinguisher shall be maintained at each of the following locations:

1. At each electrical panel.

2. At each corner of the work area. Where no clear corners exist, four extinguishers shall be placed around the outermost wall of the work area so that they are evenly spread around the perimeter of the

outermost wall.

3. Within 5 feet of the external entry to the shower room from the work area.

4. Within 5 feet of the external entry to the shower room from the clean room.

5. The maximum distance of travel to an extinguisher shall be no greater than 75 feet.

EXCEPTION: Where the total abatement containment area is less than 1,000 square feet, one 4A/60B:C extinguisher shall be provided, and the maximum distance of travel to an extinguisher shall be no greater than 75 feet.

All extinguisher locations shall be clearly identified with appropriate signage.

All existing sprinkler systems shall remain active and unobstructed. Sprinkler heads may be covered with a thin, .003" or less, plastic bag during abatement to avoid their contamination.

All existing fire detection and alarm systems shall remain in place and active. Any alteration to this equipment must be approved by both the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety. If a permit is granted for work that requires the system to be disabled, a Fire Watch meeting all the requirements listed in Section 57.918.5 of the Fire Code must be maintained at all times as described in Section 57.324.18.

Existing fire alarm manual fire alarm boxes, Fire Department communication jacks, and signaling systems shall be maintained in place and active. The foregoing items shall be clearly marked with signs containing lettering which is a minimum of 3" high x 1/2" wide on a contrasting background. If the foregoing items are covered by plastic, each device shall be surrounded by a square of red duct-type tape. In addition, a cutting device, also surrounded by a square of red duct-type tape, shall be kept immediately adjacent to the device.

All fire and life safety systems which have been disconnected require joint acceptance by the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety upon their reconnection.

Fire-rated partitions, doors, and other fire cutoffs shall not be temporarily or permanently modified without the joint approval of the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety.

In the event that a containment area impedes the normal operation of any existing elevator smoke detector, an additional temporary elevator recall smoke detector shall be installed in the containment area under permit from the Department of Building and Safety. Any such detector must be tested by the Fire Department before any abatement work begins in that area.

Communications shall be provided as required in Sections 57.324.11.1 through 57.324.11.1.3.

A minimum of one telephone shall be provided for contacting emergency personnel in containment areas greater than 1,000 square feet. The telephone shall be located in the clean room adjacent to the exit from the decontamination area.

If it is not practical to install a phone in the clean room, a telephone on the same floor or level is acceptable, provided that there are no doors between the telephone and the clean room that have any type of locking mechanism on them or impede access to the phone in any manner. This phone shall not be more than 100 lineal feet along the path of travel from the clean room.

In lieu of a telephone in the clean room, radio communications may be provided with personnel who have immediate access to a telephone. Radios shall be located as described in Section 57.324.11.1, above. A complete set of charged spare radio batteries shall be provided.

All alternate means of communication other than a telephone are subject to field inspector approval.

Protective entry suits shall be provided, as required in Sections 57.324.12.1 and 57.324.12.1.1.

In all containment areas greater than 1,000 square feet, five “Tyvek”-type protective entry suits, rated for use in an asbestos containment area, shall be provided in the clean room.

All suits shall be extra-large and shall be kept in a red box clearly identified with white 3" letters stating, “Fire Department Emergency Use Only.” The box shall be readily accessible at all times.

All areas of any containment site shall be visible by use of viewing ports from an uncontaminated area.

Viewing ports shall be at least 18" x 18" in size and shall be of clear Plexiglass or other similar clear material. Opaque material is not acceptable for use as viewing ports.

Emergency shutdown of negative air equipment shall comply with Sections 57.324.14.1 through 57.324.14.2.

A single switch or set of switches shall be provided for the emergency shutdown of all negative air equipment located in the containment area. This switch or set of switches:

1. Shall be for emergency use by Fire Department personnel.

2. Shall be located in a non-contaminated area near the exit from the decontamination station and shall be clearly identified using a sign with minimum 3" high x 1/2" wide lettering on a contrasting background.

The sign shall read “NEGATIVE AIR MASTER SHUT-OFF.”

All temporary power for the negative air equipment from the building shall be installed and inspected under permit from the Department of Building and Safety.

All combustible rubbish and debris, including, but not limited to, properly bagged asbestos, shall be removed and properly disposed of at the end of each working day, or 24-hour period if work is continuous 24 hours a day.

1. Respray of fire protective coatings shall be completed within 15 days after receipt of the final air- monitoring clearance. All areas where fire protective coatings have been removed, including areas that have been cored or spot abated to facilitate the placement of pipe hangers, etc., shall be returned to the degree of fire resistiveness as prescribed by the Department of Building and Safety.

2. The building owner shall cause the respray of all fire protective coatings to be accomplished under permit from the Department of Building and Safety within 15 days of the contractor receiving final air- monitoring

clearance.

In all asbestos abatement projects, regardless of size, one on-site supervisor selected by the contractor shall be designated as the Safety Coordinator and shall be responsible for the following:

1. Educating on-site personnel in general safety procedures.

2. Insuring that on-site personnel are aware of the location and proper use of all extinguishers and other fire and life safety equipment.

Where the abatement project is 1,000 square feet or more, or whenever any of the fire protective coating of the building’s structural members are removed, the following shall apply:

1. A person shall be selected by the contractor to function as a Fire Watch. The Fire Watch may perform only duties which are specifically related to the security and fire safety of the overall work area.

2. The Fire Watch must inspect every area of the work site every 30 minutes during working hours for fire and life safety problems and shall continue such inspections a minimum of 30 minutes after the

cessation of work.

A fire and life safety log must be maintained by the designated Fire Watch as follows:

1. The log must be maintained from the beginning of the abatement process until the final clean air certification is received.

2. When fire protective coating has been removed from structural members, the log shall be maintained until all respray is complete.

3. The log shall be used solely for the recording of fire and life safety information and shall be kept at the work site in the clean room at all times. It shall be available for review by Fire Department representatives.

4. The log shall be a bound notebook or three- ring binder and shall contain the information set forth in Section 57.324.18.1.1 for each working day.

1. The date.

2. The name and title of the assigned Fire Watch.

3. The area assigned to each Fire Watch.

4. The actual start and stop time of each patrol and the name of the Fire Watch person conducting that patrol.

5. Entries describing any fire or life safety problem that was found and how it was corrected.

6. A brief account of any fire incident, regardless of size, including all facts, names of individuals involved, including witnesses, how it was extinguished, and the probable cause. Included shall be the time and method of Fire Department notification.

7. A statement at the conclusion of each work day, signed by the on-site Safety Coordinator, confirming that a survey of the work site has been made and any unsafe fire and life safety conditions have been rectified.

In the absence of a functioning, approved automatic fire detection system connected to the building’s central alarm system in the area undergoing abatement or respray, a Fire Watch shall be maintained on a 24-hour basis. For this purpose, elevator smoke detectors shall not be considered an approved fire detection system.

The Fire Watch shall continue until the final clean air certification is received and all respray is completed in buildings where fire protective coatings have been removed.

In abatement areas protected by a functioning, approved automatic fire detection system connected to the building’s central alarm system, the Fire Watch may be discontinued 30 minutes after the completion of each work day under the following conditions:

1. The building’s central alarm system must be monitored on a 24-hour basis either by building security personnel or by an alarm company at a remote location.

2. No structure, separation, or barriers set up for containment or other purposes shall impede the proper operation of any detection device or limit the intended area the device was installed to monitor.

3. Alternate fire alarm equipment requires the approval of the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety.

Any work requiring the use of open flame shall require a Fire Watch standing by with a 4A/60B:C extinguisher until the completion of the project.

Smoking shall not be permitted inside any asbestos abatement area or within 25 feet of any asbestos abatement area. Approved “NO SMOKING” signs shall be conspicuously posted in accordance with Section 57.310.3. It shall be the responsibility of the asbestos abatement contractor to enforce this prohibition.