Pre-1981 tear-out rule

Definition

The mandatory practices for pulling up old resilient flooring in an older building.

Why It Matters

Old sheet vinyl, floor tile and the black mastic under them are treated as asbestos-containing until somebody proves otherwise. Federal rules put floor tile and sheeting in the class of asbestos work that is not thermal insulation, and they impose mandatory practices in every building constructed no later than 1980 where absence has not been verified. Sanding is prohibited, rip-up of sheet flooring is prohibited, dry sweeping is prohibited, and tiles come up intact unless the employer can show intact removal is impossible. A residential tear-out shop that owns a floor scraper and works pre-1981 housing is either training and documenting to this or it is not.