1. This section establishes a procedure for labeling insulation to indicate the presence or absence of asbestos.
2. This section applies to all projects, which involve piping insulation, equipment insulation, blown insulation, ductwork, or fire retardant material. It is the intent of this section that all new building products of those types be labeled.
3. Asbestos-containing materials are present in buildings and utilities throughout the University of Florida Campus in a variety of forms. Refer to the EH&S website for identification, notification, and materials handling standards. (www.ehs.ufl.edu)

(Although Division 2 items are generally considered to be located outside of buildings starting at a maximum distance of 5′ outside of the building, this section applies to labeling for the presence or absence of asbestos regardless of location.)

All labels used should be commercially available. The label descriptions in this section are based on the “SETON” Name Plate Catalog. Provide manufacturers pre-printed, permanent adhesive, vinyl labels similar in size and design as follows:

“DANGER ASBESTOS” Label size: 2 1/4″x 9″
Letter size: 3/4″
Color: Black on Yellow background.

The use of vinyl labels shall be restricted to areas that stencil paint identification cannot be used, or for partial abatement projects.

Stencil paint shall be standard exterior enamel gloss, light blue in color. Background shall be white. Light blue color shall be used for all asbestos free labels. Yellow shall be used for all asbestos containing labels.

Sizes of letters are to be as follows:
Pipe or duct diameter 2″ or less; 1/2″
Pipe or duct diameter 2 1/2″ to 6″; 1″
Pipe or duct diameter over 6″; 1 3/4″
Other indoor surfaces; 1″
Outdoor surfaces; 2″

• BLOWN OR SPRAY-APPLIED INSULATION:

Apply permanent tinting of light blue color to all blown or spray-applied insulation material, to identify the material as asbestos free.

• MANHOLES:

All manholes, except electric and communication manholes or handholes, whether newly installed or abated, should have the outside and inside of the manhole cover stencil painted “ASBESTOS FREE”. When manholes are abated, the encapsulant applied to the inside walls shall be tinted light blue. Newly installed manholes shall have the inside walls painted with light blue paint. In addition, stencil paint “CONFINED SPACE ENTRY” on the outside of the manhole cover, or on a prominent surface outside the manhole.

• PIPE AND EQUIPMENT INSULATION:

Use stencil painting on asbestos-free insulation.

Use only vinyl labels on asbestos containing material.

The following are the locations where labels or stencil painting is to be applied to piping systems:

• adjacent to each valve or fitting;
• at each branch take-off;
• where pipes pass through walls, floors, and ceilings;
• at any change in direction;
• on all straight runs, every 12 feet;
• at all access doors, manholes, and similar access points which permit view of the concealed piping.

The use of vinyl labels is prohibited except as noted under Section B.

• Apply markings to equipment insulation in prominent locations, clearly visible from all sides of the equipment.

Where asbestos is partially abated, clearly indicate the point where asbestos free material (AFM) meets asbestos containing material (ACM). On piping systems use pipe banding labels. One band shall have black arrows on yellow, background, with arrows pointing to the ACM. The other band shall have blue arrows on white background, with the arrows pointing to the AFM. The bands are to meet at the point where the ACM abuts the AFM. The rest of the insulating material should be labeled as directed in other parts of this section.

1. Prior to beginning work in any equipment room, Contractor shall photograph the equipment and piping which will be disturbed by his work. The photographs shall clearly show all pneumatic tubing and piping, gages and switches. Contractor shall also photograph all steam and water pipes, which will be re-insulated. This will provide a record of the labeling which shows pipe contents and flow direction. These photographs shall be delivered to the Project Manager prior to starting any actual work.
2. Prior to final acceptance, Contractor shall reattach all pneumatic tubing, gages, and switches, which were moved or disturbed during the Contractor’s work. Routing and quality of installation shall be similar to the original. Cost of this work to be included in Contractor’s bid.
3. Contractor shall relabel all water and steam piping (which was re-insulated) with acceptable labels to show pipe contents and direction of flow. Labeling shall be substantially the same as the original. Cost of this work shall be included in Contractor’s bid.
4. The following note should be added to the project drawings: “Contractor shall return all pneumatic piping, gages, switches and labeling of water and steam pipes to their original condition.”