The federal line sets 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet as the removal threshold before demolition, according to U.S. EPA . State pages can add different duties.
Key takeaways
- Look up the federal amounts before you set any demolition price.
- Check the state line for your job location, such as Washington's 1980 presumptions or California's 100 square foot supervisor line.
- Treat a smaller amount as neither a price nor a clean bill, because state duties can still apply.
- Keep the measured amount on your quote sheet next to the federal line.
Which three amounts to read before a demolition price
Before you price a demolition job, read the three amounts in the federal line: 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that if the total amount of asbestos to be removed or disturbed is less than these figures off of facility components (if the material could not be measured previously), the Asbestos NESHAP does not require regulated asbestos-containing material to be removed before demolition or renovation activities occur, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . The agency notes that the Asbestos NESHAP has been amended several times, most comprehensively in November 1990, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . These standards are established in accordance with Section 112 of the CAA, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .
Do not treat the federal line as a rule for every state, every shop, or every job. The federal line is one part of the compliance picture. State pages may define different thresholds or duties for when a material counts as asbestos. For example, some states use different dates to determine if a material is presumed to contain asbestos. You must check the specific state lines that apply to your job location. The federal amount line does not replace state requirements. It sets a baseline for when the federal NESHAP requires removal before demolition. If your state has a lower threshold or a different definition of regulated asbestos-containing material, that state rule may apply even if the federal line is not met.
What the 260, 160, and 35 line does and does not say
The federal amount line defines a specific regulatory trigger for the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if the total amount of asbestos to be removed or disturbed is less than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet off of facility components (if the material could not be measured previously), then the Asbestos NESHAP does not require regulated asbestos-containing material to be removed before demolition or renovation activities occur U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . This sentence establishes a threshold for when the federal rule mandates removal prior to starting work. It does not state that asbestos is absent, that the material is safe to handle without controls, or that the job is exempt from other regulations. The line is a compliance boundary for the NESHAP, not a safety assessment or a pricing guarantee.
The rule has a documented history of amendment. In 1995, the rule was amended to correct cross-reference citations to OSHA, DOT, and other EPA rules governing asbestos U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . This amendment clarifies that the NESHAP operates within a broader framework of federal regulations, including those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Transportation. The cross-reference correction ensures that the NESHAP aligns with other governing standards for asbestos. The federal line remains a specific requirement for when removal must occur before demolition or renovation under the NESHAP.
Reference table of each publisher's asbestos line
The table below lists the specific asbestos lines from the four publishers. Each row names the publisher and cites the source page where the rule appears.
| Publisher | Asbestos Line or Rule | Source Page |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Less than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet does not require removal before demolition under NESHAP | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| California Division of Occupational Safety and Health | For operations involving more than 100 square feet of asbestos-containing construction material, the competent person may fulfill the requirement to specify a certified supervisor | California Division of Occupational Safety and Health |
| Washington State Legislature | Asphalt and vinyl flooring installed no later than 1980 must be treated as asbestos-containing | Washington State Legislature |
| Oregon Occupational Safety and Health | Covers asbestos removal and maintenance based on standard 1926.1101 | Oregon Occupational Safety and Health |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that if the total amount of asbestos to be removed or disturbed is less than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet off of facility components (if the material could not be measured previously), then the Asbestos NESHAP does not require regulated asbestos-containing material to be removed before demolition or renovation activities occur, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . This line applies specifically to the NESHAP requirement for removal prior to demolition or renovation.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health notes that for operations involving more than 100 square feet of asbestos containing construction material, the competent person may fulfill the requirement contained in Section 341.9 to specify a certified supervisor for asbestos related work, according to California Division of Occupational Safety and Health . This sentence addresses the specification of a supervisor for operations exceeding that square footage threshold.
The Washington State Legislature states that asphalt and vinyl flooring installed no later than 1980 also must be treated as asbestos-containing, according to Washington State Legislature . This rule applies to the specific flooring materials installed by that date.
State lines that use 1980 or 100 square feet
Washington State Legislature rules in WAC 296-62-07721 use a 1980 installation date to presume specific materials contain asbestos. Asphalt and vinyl flooring installed no later than 1980 must be treated as asbestos-containing according to Washington State Legislature . The same page states that all thermal system insulation and sprayed on or troweled on surfacing materials in buildings, vessels, or substrates constructed no later than 1980 must be identified as PACM according to Washington State Legislature . Additionally, resilient flooring or decking material installed no later than 1980 must be identified as asbestos-containing according to Washington State Legislature . These presumptions apply to the named materials and construction dates within that specific Washington regulation.
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health rules in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1529 use a 100 square foot amount above which the competent person may fulfill the requirement to specify a certified supervisor. For operations involving more than 100 square feet of asbestos-containing construction material, the competent person may fulfill the requirement to specify a certified supervisor for asbestos-related work according to California Division of Occupational Safety and Health . This 100 square foot line is distinct from the federal amount line and specifically addresses the specification of a certified supervisor. The same California page also sets a physical limit for disturbance, stating that the amount of ACM or PACM disturbed shall not exceed that which can be contained in one glove bag or waste bag, which shall not exceed 60 inches in length and width according to California Division of Occupational Safety and Health .
When pricing a demolition job, check if the materials fall under Washington’s 1980 presumptions or if the area exceeds California’s 100 square foot supervisor line. Write the specific state line that applies next to your quote. Do not assume a material is free of asbestos duty because it does not match the federal 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet line. State rules can add different duties based on material type, installation date, or area size. Record the exact square footage or installation year on your quote sheet to match the correct state requirement.
What a smaller amount does not settle
A demolition price covers labor, disposal, and equipment. It does not clear a material of asbestos duty. The federal amount line sets a NESHAP trigger for removal before demolition, not a safety threshold or a cost estimate. A job under 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet still requires you to check the state lines on this page, because state rules can apply different duties. Do not use the federal line to tell an owner that a smaller job is unregulated or safe. For on-site rules, see demolition safety checks , and for waste handling, see debris chute safety checks .
Oregon Occupational Safety and Health states that the symptoms of these diseases generally do not appear for 20 years or more after exposure, according to Oregon Occupational Safety and Health . That delay means a clean bill at the time of demolition does not confirm the absence of long-term health risk. You cannot price a job as “asbestos-free” based on a visual check or a small measured amount. The delay in symptoms is a fact about the disease, not a rule for your quote sheet.
The same Oregon page covers what construction employers need to know about asbestos removal and maintenance based on Oregon OSHA's asbestos standard for the construction industry: 1926.1101, according to Oregon Occupational Safety and Health . It also covers Oregon OSHA's asbestos standards for general industry, 1910.1001, and construction, 1926.1101, according to Oregon Occupational Safety and Health . An instruction on the page establishes policies and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of the Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Standards, 29 CFR 1910.1001, 1926.1101, and 1915.1001, according to Oregon Occupational Safety and Health . These standards apply to construction and general industry work in Oregon. They do not set a price. They define the regulatory framework your crew must follow when asbestos is present.
Illustrative example: a hypothetical ceiling and wall
A crew plans to tear out a ceiling and one interior wall. It measures 30 square feet of material on the ceiling and 60 square feet on the wall, for a total of 90 square feet. That total is below the federal 160 square foot figure, so on the federal line alone, removal before demolition is not required. The crew still checks the state lines for its job location before pricing. These figures are illustrative only.
Write the amount you measured next to the federal line
Record the specific linear, square, or cubic measurement you took on site directly beside the federal threshold line on your quote sheet.
FAQ: asbestos amounts and the demolition price
What three amounts are in the federal sentence?
The federal sentence lists 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet as the total amount of asbestos to be removed or disturbed. These figures apply to material off of facility components when the material could not be measured previously. The Asbestos NESHAP does not require regulated asbestos-containing material to be removed before demolition or renovation activities occur if the total is less than these amounts, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .
Does a smaller amount mean the job has no asbestos duty?
No, a smaller amount does not mean the job has no asbestos duty. The federal line is a NESHAP requirement for removal before demolition, not a statement that the job is unregulated or safe.
What does Washington's 1980 line apply to?
Washington's 1980 line applies to asphalt and vinyl flooring, thermal system insulation and sprayed on or troweled on surfacing, and resilient flooring or decking, each installed or constructed no later than 1980. Asphalt and vinyl flooring must be treated as asbestos-containing, thermal system insulation and surfacing must be identified as PACM, and resilient flooring or decking must be identified as asbestos-containing, according to Washington State Legislature . The rule is a presumption for these named materials in Washington, not a nationwide rule.
What is California's 100 square foot sentence about?
California's 100 square foot sentence is about a competent person specifying a certified supervisor for asbestos-related work. It applies to operations involving more than 100 square feet of asbestos-containing construction material. The competent person may fulfill the requirement to specify a certified supervisor for this type of work, according to California Division of Occupational Safety and Health . This is separate from the federal amount line.
Do these pages set a demolition price?
These pages do not set a demolition price. They define regulatory thresholds and duties, not removal prices, disposal fees, or labor hours. The federal line addresses when removal is required before demolition, while state lines address specific material presumptions or supervisor requirements. A smaller amount gives no price and no clean bill.