Under what circumstances would friable ACBM be considered at risk of significant damage?

Friable Asbestos-Containing Building Material (ACBM) is deemed at risk of significant damage when there is a regular presence of maintenance personnel in the area. This is primarily because maintenance activities often involve disruption, disturbance, or physical interaction with building materials. Such interactions can exacerbate the natural deterioration of friable ACBM, leading to the release of asbestos fibers into the air, which poses a health risk.

Regular maintenance activities, such as repairs, adjustments, or inspections, may inadvertently lead to the damage of friable materials, especially if proper safety protocols are not strictly followed. These interactions can cause the material to become more susceptible to damage, making the risk to human health higher.

Infrequent building occupancy, natural aging without physical changes, and constant climate control do not pose the same level of immediate risk to friable ACBM. Infrequent occupancy may reduce the likelihood of disturbances to the materials, while natural aging without significant physical change means that there are no active interventions that would exacerbate the condition of the ACBM. Constant climate control can help stabilize environmental conditions, minimizing the effects of temperature and humidity on the structural integrity of the materials.