Behind the Barrier: San Dimas Public Building Asbestos Abatement Project

When asbestos-containing building materials must be removed from an occupied, public, commercial, or institutional property, the work requires much more than demolition. It requires careful planning, controlled access, containment, trained personnel, specialized equipment, proper removal methods, detailed cleaning, and responsible waste handling.

Inland Contractors, Inc. recently completed a multi-material asbestos abatement project at a public building in San Dimas, California. To protect the facility’s privacy, the exact building name and address are not being published.

The project involved the abatement of asbestos-containing floor tile, black flooring mastic, drywall and joint compound, thermal system insulation elbows, fireproofing material, and fireproofing overspray. The work was performed within controlled containment areas while our team managed each phase of removal, cleaning, and waste packaging.

EPA resources identify flooring, mastics, wallboard, thermal insulation, and fireproofing as materials in which asbestos has historically been used. These materials can require regulated work practices when they are disturbed during renovation or demolition.

San Dimas Asbestos Abatement Project Overview

This San Dimas asbestos removal project took place inside a public facility undergoing building improvements. The work areas contained several different asbestos-containing materials located across flooring systems and above-ceiling spaces.

Project location

San Dimas, CaliforniaLos Angeles CountyPublic buildingExact address withheld for privacy

Asbestos abatement scope

The project included:

• 1,400 square feet of floor tile and black mastic from various areas

• 300 square feet of drywall and joint compound from above the restroom ceiling

• 12 thermal system insulation elbows from above the restroom ceiling

• 55 square feet of fireproofing on an I-beam above the restroom

• 980 square feet of fireproofing overspray from above the restroom ceiling

Because the scope involved several types of asbestos-containing building materials, the project required coordinated containment, removal, cleaning, packaging, and site-control procedures.

Floor Tile and Black Mastic Abatement

One of the largest portions of the San Dimas project involved the removal of approximately 1,400 square feet of asbestos-containing floor tile and black mastic from various areas of the building.

Older resilient flooring systems may include asbestos-containing floor tiles as well as asbestos-containing adhesives or mastics beneath the tile. OSHA lists floor tile among the building products historically manufactured with asbestos, while EPA resources also identify flooring mastics as a material in which asbestos may be encountered.

Removing floor tile and black mastic requires a planned approach because breaking, sanding, grinding, scraping, or aggressively disturbing suspect flooring can create unnecessary dust and debris. During professional asbestos flooring removal, the work area is controlled and removal techniques are selected to minimize material disturbance.

For this project, Inland Contractors established containment around the affected spaces and used controlled work methods while the flooring material was removed. After the floor tile was taken up, the remaining floor surface was addressed as part of the abatement and cleaning process.

Relevant search terms this portion of the project addresses include:

• San Dimas asbestos floor tile removal

• Black mastic asbestos abatement

• Commercial flooring asbestos removal

• Asbestos tile removal in Los Angeles County

• Asbestos flooring contractor in Southern California

• Public building floor tile abatement

• Professional black mastic removal

Drywall and Joint Compound Removal Above the Restroom Ceiling

The project also included the removal of approximately 300 square feet of asbestos-containing drywall and joint compound located above the restroom ceiling.

Drywall itself, joint compound, patching products, and related wall or ceiling systems may contain asbestos depending on the product and building construction. Because asbestos cannot be reliably confirmed based on appearance alone, suspect building materials should be evaluated before renovation or demolition begins.

At this San Dimas public building, the affected drywall and joint compound were located within an above-ceiling area. Working above a ceiling can add logistical challenges because the crew must control debris while also navigating framing, utilities, pipes, ducts, and other concealed building components.

The work area was isolated from surrounding occupied or unaffected areas. Plastic sheeting, critical barriers, controlled access points, and appropriate warning signage helped define the regulated work area.

Thermal System Insulation Elbow Abatement

Inland Contractors also removed 12 asbestos-containing thermal system insulation elbows, commonly referred to as TSI elbows, from above the restroom ceiling.

Thermal system insulation is insulation used on pipes, fittings, boilers, ducts, tanks, and similar mechanical systems to control heat transfer or condensation.

Pipe elbows and fittings can require particular attention because their shape and location may make removal more involved than straight pipe insulation. The material may also be located around active or inactive mechanical components within tight above-ceiling spaces.

For this project, each affected elbow was addressed within the established containment. The removed material was sealed and prepared for proper asbestos waste handling and disposal.

Search phrases relevant to this portion of the project include:

• TSI elbow asbestos removal

• Pipe elbow insulation abatement

• Asbestos pipe fitting removal

• Commercial pipe insulation abatement

• Above-ceiling asbestos removal

• Thermal system insulation contractor

• San Dimas asbestos insulation removal

Fireproofing and Fireproofing Overspray Removal

The San Dimas asbestos abatement scope included two separate fireproofing components:

• 55 square feet of fireproofing on an I-beam

• 980 square feet of fireproofing overspray above the restroom ceiling

Sprayed or troweled fireproofing was historically used on structural steel and other building components to improve fire resistance. EPA guidance identifies sprayed or troweled surfacing materials and fireproofing among common categories of asbestos-containing material in buildings.

Fireproofing overspray may extend beyond the primary structural component and settle onto adjacent surfaces. This can make the actual removal area larger and more complex than the visible coating on an individual beam.

At this public facility, the fireproofing scope involved both the I-beam material and overspray located throughout the above-ceiling work area. The crew worked within containment and used controlled removal methods to address the identified materials.

Inside the Containment

The photos from this San Dimas asbestos project show what happens behind the barrier during a professional abatement operation.

Before removal began, the work areas were separated from surrounding portions of the building. Plastic sheeting and taped seams were used to create controlled work zones, while asbestos danger signs identified restricted entrances.

The containment helped:

• Restrict access to authorized personnel

• Separate the work area from surrounding spaces

• Control debris generated during removal

• Support cleaning and decontamination procedures

• Maintain an organized asbestos regulated area

EPA’s asbestos NESHAP guidance discusses control procedures such as adequate wetting, negative-pressure enclosures, HEPA filtration, waste-handling practices, and trained onsite supervision for applicable renovation and demolition operations.

The exact controls required for an individual project depend on the material, quantity, condition, location, project design, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Wet Methods During Asbestos Removal

Project photos show workers applying amended water or another wetting solution during the removal and cleaning process.

Wet methods are commonly used during asbestos abatement to help reduce dust and limit the potential for fibers to become airborne while material is disturbed. The work must still be performed carefully, using appropriate personal protective equipment and project-specific procedures.

On this project, crew members used full protective clothing and respirators while performing removal and cleanup inside the contained areas.

The goal was to keep the operation controlled while the affected floor, ceiling, insulation, and fireproofing materials were addressed.

Packaging Asbestos-Containing Waste

As asbestos-containing material was removed, the debris was placed into appropriate waste bags or wrapping within the regulated work area.

Proper asbestos waste handling is an essential part of abatement. EPA work-practice standards address the control of asbestos fibers during removal, packaging, transportation, and disposal.

The San Dimas project photos show removed material collected and contained before it left the controlled work area. This helped prevent loose debris from being carried through unaffected portions of the public building.

Detailed Cleaning and Final Preparation

Removal is only one part of an asbestos abatement project. After the identified materials were taken out, Inland Contractors performed detailed cleaning within the containment.

The work included wet cleaning and wash-down activities across the floor and other affected surfaces. Specialized cleaning equipment remained inside the work zone while the area was prepared for the next phase of the project.

The photographs show the progression from:

1. Active material removal

2. Debris collection and waste packaging

3. Wet cleaning and wash-down

4. Detailed surface cleaning

5. A controlled area prepared for the next project phase

It is important not to describe a work area as having passed final clearance unless an applicable independent clearance process has actually been completed. Inland Contractors performs asbestos abatement and removal; testing, surveys, and third-party clearance services are handled independently when required.

Why Public Building Asbestos Abatement Requires Careful Coordination

Asbestos abatement inside a public building requires coordination with the property owner, facility representatives, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders.

Public and commercial properties may include:

• Government buildings

• Offices

• Community facilities

• Libraries

• Educational facilities

• Medical or institutional properties

• Municipal buildings

• Commercial properties

• Industrial facilities

Building owners and operators must consider access control, nearby occupants, project schedules, building systems, work sequencing, waste routes, and future renovation activities.

EPA notes that asbestos NESHAP renovation and demolition requirements apply to many institutional, commercial, and industrial buildings, with inspection, notification, work-practice, and waste-handling requirements depending on the project.

Asbestos Abatement Services in San Dimas and Los Angeles County

Inland Contractors, Inc. provides professional asbestos removal and abatement services for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and public properties throughout Southern California.

Our service area includes:

• San Dimas

• Pomona

• Claremont

• La Verne

• Glendora

• Covina

• West Covina

• Azusa

• Walnut

• Diamond Bar

• Los Angeles County

• The Inland Empire

• Riverside County

• San Bernardino County

• Orange County

• Surrounding Southern California communities

Services include asbestos removal, lead abatement, mold remediation, and demolition for renovation, restoration, tenant improvement, and property improvement projects.

Planning Renovation or Demolition in San Dimas?

Older building materials may contain asbestos even when they look ordinary. Floor tile, flooring adhesive, drywall systems, pipe insulation, fireproofing, ceiling materials, and other construction products may need to be evaluated before disturbance.

Do not scrape, sand, grind, cut, remove, or demolish suspect materials based only on appearance.

Inland Contractors can review an existing asbestos survey report and provide an abatement proposal based on the identified scope of work. When testing is needed, we can help connect the property owner or contractor with a qualified independent asbestos consultant.

Once the survey identifies the materials requiring removal, our team can coordinate the asbestos abatement process and help prepare the affected area for the next phase of renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can old floor tile and black mastic contain asbestos?

Yes. Some older floor tiles and flooring mastics were manufactured with asbestos. Laboratory analysis is used to determine whether a particular material contains asbestos.

What is a TSI elbow?

A TSI elbow is insulated pipe fitting material located around a bend or elbow in a thermal system. TSI stands for thermal system insulation.

Can fireproofing contain asbestos?

Some older sprayed, troweled, or applied fireproofing products contained asbestos. Suspect fireproofing should be properly evaluated before renovation, maintenance, or demolition disturbs it.

Does Inland Contractors perform asbestos testing?

No. Inland Contractors performs asbestos abatement and removal. Testing and surveys are completed by qualified independent third-party consultants.

Can Inland Contractors provide a proposal from an existing survey report?

Yes. A property owner, contractor, manager, or consultant can send Inland Contractors the asbestos survey report and desired scope so the project can be reviewed for pricing.

Where does Inland Contractors provide asbestos removal services?

Inland Contractors serves San Dimas, Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, and surrounding areas throughout Southern California.