Sections you will usually see
| Section | What it tells you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and limitations | Which areas and materials were included | That every area your project will disturb is listed |
| Inspector information | Who inspected and their certification | Name, certification number and expiration date |
| Material list | Each distinct material grouped by type and location | That flooring, ceilings, walls and mechanical insulation are all addressed |
| Sample log | Where each sample was taken | Locations make sense and match the rooms you care about |
| Lab results | Whether asbestos was detected and roughly how much | The lab's accreditation and the analysis method named |
| Assumed materials | Items treated as positive without sampling | Why they were assumed, and whether sampling could clarify |
| Quantities and condition | Approximate amounts and whether material is damaged | Numbers you can compare against abatement proposals |
Terms that trip people up
A homogeneous area is a group of material that looks the same and was likely installed at the same time, such as all the nine-inch tile in a basement rec room. The inspector takes a set number of samples from it, and the result applies to the whole area. If your basement has two visibly different tile patterns, expect two homogeneous areas.
Friable means the material can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Friable positive materials generally carry more risk when disturbed and may be treated differently under the rules than non-friable ones.
Reports often express asbestos content as a percentage. Results described as trace or below a reporting limit can still matter, depending on the material and how it will be disturbed. If a result is borderline, ask the inspector what it means for your work rather than reading it as a clean pass.
Before you rely on the report
- Your address and the date of inspection are correct.
- The inspector's CDPHE certification was current on that date, verified with CDPHE.
- Every room, wall and ceiling your contractor plans to touch appears in the scope.
- Materials hidden behind finishes, such as tile under carpet, are either sampled or listed as not accessed.
- Each positive material has a location and an approximate quantity.
- Lab reports are attached, not just summarized.
Questions to send back to the inspector
- Were any areas not accessible, and what would it take to inspect them?
- Why was this material assumed positive instead of sampled?
- Do the quantities include only what my project will disturb, or the whole building?
- Would you treat any trace or low results differently for removal planning?
- Does this report satisfy what my local building department asks for before a permit?
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.