In general, buildings constructed prior to 1979 are likely to have been built using asbestos containing materials (ACMs). ACMs are often found in surfacing materials such as fireproofing, sprayed on ceilings, vinyl floor tiles and mastic (adhesive), or in thermal system insulation such as pipe insulation and wrappings. Renovation projects on campus often include removal or encapsulation of ACMs by trained and licensed specialists.

Asbestos is a commercial term applied to a number of silicate minerals that readily separate into thin, strong, flexible fibers and has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California as a carcinogen. There are two generally descriptive classifications of ACMs: friable and non-friable. Friable materials are those capable of being crumbled and reduced to powder, when dry, by the use of hand pressure. Non-friable ACMs are generally not considered to be a health risk since the fibers are normally bound or contained in the building material itself. However, a fiber release can occur when these materials are broken or damaged. Examples of non-friable ACMs include vinyl floor tile, the mastic used to glue the tile to the floor or ceiling, window glazing, and transite paneling. 

Intact and properly maintained ACMs do not create an unsafe condition unless disturbed and released.  Therefore, in order to ensure the health and safety of building occupants and the public, any work or activity that might disturb ACMs must be performed only by certified and trained personnel. Sawing, sanding, cutting, moving, drilling, boring or otherwise disturbing ACMs may present a health risk if it causes asbestos fibers to be released where they can be inhaled or ingested. Prior to performing any such work or activity, it is very important to contact the HMC Facilities and Maintenance Office (F&M) in order that a review for possible ACMs can be done and written approval provided for the safe commencement of the work or activity. Additionally, deteriorating ACMs should be immediately reported to F&M.

As required by law, extensive surveys by specialists were conducted in order to determine the location and amount of ACMs in campus buildings that were constructed prior to 1979. These surveys and reports are on file and available for inspection at the HMC Facilities and Maintenance Office, lower level of Platt Campus Center. When ACMs are identified, they are placed on a cumulative list for periodic inspection and maintenance until they are removed during renovation or through an abatement program. An Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Plan is regularly updated to provide current information for the proper maintenance and handling of ACMs located in campus buildings. A review of the materials may be made by contacting the HMC Facilities and Maintenance Office at 909/621-8226.

In addition, when a building owner has knowledge of the presence of ACMs in their buildings, they are required to provide specific information relating to ACMs to employees and other building occupants.  Below is a list of HMC buildings that contain ACMs, including the general location and application of the ACMs. In publicly-accessible areas, ACMs are bonded or locked in the building materials, painted over, enclosed or encapsulated so that fibers are not released. Typically, this would include items such as floor tiles and mastic adhesive used to secure them to the floor or insulation within walls or doors. In restricted public access areas, such as mechanical or boiler rooms and on structural steel, ACMs are typically found in insulation and fireproofing materials.

The College believes that the immediate correction of hazardous conditions, including the removal of ACMs during renovations and the effective implementation of the Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Plan through F&M, will provide an asbestos-safe campus environment. Your cooperation is appreciated. 

If you have questions or would like more information about ACMs, please contact the HMC F&M Office at 909/621-8226.

September 2011

Listing of Known Friable and Non-Friable Asbestos in HMC Buildings

GALILEO HALL

• ACM structural steel fireproofing.

JACOBS SCIENCE CENTER

• ACM Insulation on piping elbows throughout the building, including piping above dropped ceiling.
• Structural steel fireproofed with ACM.
• ACM Structural steel fireproofing in the hallway of Jacobs's basement was removed in April 1997.
• Mechanical Room /Chiller - ACM pipe insulation and fittings were removed in January 1998.

KINGSTON HALL

• Basement Boiler Room - ACM insulation of boiler stack was removed in the winter of 1994.
• Heating and chilled water piping elbows throughout the building are insulated with ACM.
• Removal of the piping insulation in the basement - April 2009.

LIBRA PROJECT (Galileo Hall, W. M. Keck Laboratories)

• ACM in all insulation on piping elbows in Chiller Room, and throughout the building.
• Boiler Room - All ACM insulation was removed from the room in the summer of 2002.
• Basement - ACM in all doors.
• Chillers - ACM piping insulation was removed in August 1996.
• Keck - Room SB30 - ACM not found in floor tile and mastic on November 13, 2003.
• Local pipe insulation abated for valve maintenance June and July 2007.

MARKS RESIDENCE HALL

• ACM insulation on piping elbows.
• ACM in transite wall panels below the windows throughout the building in August 2001.
• Basement - ACM piping insulation from storage tank to heat exchanger, and ACM heat exchanger insulation was removed in the fall of 2002.

EAST/MILDRED E. MUDD RESIDENCE HALL

• ACM in all insulated piping throughout the building.
• ACM in transite wall panels below the windows throughout the building.
• Basement Boiler Room - All ACM insulation removed from the room summer 2002.
• Roof, mechanical room and building crawl space inspected and samples taken April 2008 prior to building renovation.

NORTH RESIDENCE HALL

• ACM in transite wall panels below the windows throughout the building.
• Steam tunnels - ACM piping insulation-Removed June 2009.
• Basement Boiler Room - All ACM insulation was removed from the room in the summer of 2002.
• All piping in the tunnels, partial abatement of the cold water pipes in the walls-June 2009

PARSONS ENGINEERING BUILDING

• ACM in all doors in the basement and second floor.
• ACM heating and cooling piping insulation throughout the building.
• All ACM floor tile mastic was removed from the basement in the summer of 1995. The first and second floors were removed during the summer of 1996.
• ACM floor tile and mastic from Rooms B03 and B23 were removed in the winter of 1996.
• Penthouse - ACM piping fittings insulation was removed in July 1996.
• ACM fireproofing above ceiling (structural steel fireproofing).

PLATT CAMPUS CENTER

• Basement - Mechanical room - ACM in boiler stack insulation and all piping and piping elbows insulation.
• Basement - ACM floor tiles in hallway near mechanical room. Surveyed November 2003.
• Throughout the building - ACM in all piping and piping elbows insulation.
• Structural steel in the attic and throughout the building is fire proofed with ACM.
• ACM air ducting.

SPRAGUE MEMORIAL LIBRARY

• ACM in all insulation on piping elbows throughout the building.
• 4th Floor - Fireproofing tested. None ACM detected, April 2005.

WEST HALL

• ACM in transite wall panels below the windows throughout the building.
• ACM in all piping and piping elbows insulation throughout the building-June 2006.
• All pipe insulation removed from HHW and DHW lines from the basement and tunnels in June and July 2007.
• Thermal system insulation (TSI) located in crawl space tunnels removed May 2007.

NO ACM FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING BUILDINGS:

Atwood Residence Hall

F. W. Olin Science Center

Linde Activities Center

Beckman Hall

Garrett House

Linde Residence Hall

Case Residence Hall

Hoch-Shanahan Dining Commons

Sontag Residence Hall

Foothill Apartments (demolished in July 2003

2011 Asbestos rpt