1. Which of the following is a primary purpose of an asbestos building inspection?
A) To determine the structural integrity of the building
B) To assess the quantity of asbestos in the building
C) To identify the location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
D) To identify mold and water damage
Answer: C) To identify the location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
Rationale: The main goal of an asbestos building inspection is to locate ACMs, so that proper
precautions and management strategies can be applied.
2. What is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos according to OSHA?
A) 0.05 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
B) 0.1 f/cc
C) 0.2 f/cc
D) 0.01 f/cc
Answer: A) 0.05 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
Rationale: The OSHA PEL for asbestos is 0.1 f/cc over an 8-hour time-weighted average
(TWA), but the limit for asbestos fibers in air is often noted as 0.05 f/cc for building inspections
and related operations.
3. Which of the following is a method commonly used to collect air samples for asbestos?
A) Using a vacuum cleaner
B) Using a high-volume pump with a filter
C) Using a hand-held aerosol can
D) Using a tape measure
Answer: B) Using a high-volume pump with a filter
Rationale: A high-volume pump connected to a filter is the standard method for collecting air
samples to detect asbestos fibers.
4. What is a common asbestos-containing material in older buildings?
A) Ceramic tiles
B) Painted walls
C) Insulation in pipes and boilers
D) Concrete slabs
, Answer: C) Insulation in pipes and boilers
Rationale: In older buildings, asbestos is often used in pipe and boiler insulation due to its fire-
resistant properties.
5. What should be done if asbestos-containing materials are found in a building?
A) The materials should be immediately removed
B) The materials should be sealed and left undisturbed
C) The materials should be painted over
D) The building should be evacuated
Answer: B) The materials should be sealed and left undisturbed
Rationale: If the ACMs are in good condition and undisturbed, they can often be managed by
sealing or enclosing them until they need to be removed.
6. Which of the following does NOT require a building inspection for asbestos?
A) A building constructed after 1980
B) A building undergoing major renovations
C) A school building built before 1980
D) A multi-family residential building built before 1980
Answer: A) A building constructed after 1980
Rationale: Buildings constructed after 1980 are less likely to contain asbestos, as regulations
limiting its use were implemented around that time.
7. When conducting an asbestos survey, the inspector must
A) Test for asbestos in every material in the building
B) Obtain a sample of every suspected asbestos-containing material
C) Only inspect areas with visible damage
D) Document the presence of asbestos without sampling
Answer: B) Obtain a sample of every suspected asbestos-containing material
Rationale: Asbestos surveys must include the collection of samples from all suspected ACMs to
confirm the presence and concentration of asbestos.
8. Which of the following is the most common form of asbestos found in buildings?
A) To determine the structural integrity of the building
B) To assess the quantity of asbestos in the building
C) To identify the location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
D) To identify mold and water damage
Answer: C) To identify the location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
Rationale: The main goal of an asbestos building inspection is to locate ACMs, so that proper
precautions and management strategies can be applied.
2. What is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos according to OSHA?
A) 0.05 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
B) 0.1 f/cc
C) 0.2 f/cc
D) 0.01 f/cc
Answer: A) 0.05 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
Rationale: The OSHA PEL for asbestos is 0.1 f/cc over an 8-hour time-weighted average
(TWA), but the limit for asbestos fibers in air is often noted as 0.05 f/cc for building inspections
and related operations.
3. Which of the following is a method commonly used to collect air samples for asbestos?
A) Using a vacuum cleaner
B) Using a high-volume pump with a filter
C) Using a hand-held aerosol can
D) Using a tape measure
Answer: B) Using a high-volume pump with a filter
Rationale: A high-volume pump connected to a filter is the standard method for collecting air
samples to detect asbestos fibers.
4. What is a common asbestos-containing material in older buildings?
A) Ceramic tiles
B) Painted walls
C) Insulation in pipes and boilers
D) Concrete slabs
, Answer: C) Insulation in pipes and boilers
Rationale: In older buildings, asbestos is often used in pipe and boiler insulation due to its fire-
resistant properties.
5. What should be done if asbestos-containing materials are found in a building?
A) The materials should be immediately removed
B) The materials should be sealed and left undisturbed
C) The materials should be painted over
D) The building should be evacuated
Answer: B) The materials should be sealed and left undisturbed
Rationale: If the ACMs are in good condition and undisturbed, they can often be managed by
sealing or enclosing them until they need to be removed.
6. Which of the following does NOT require a building inspection for asbestos?
A) A building constructed after 1980
B) A building undergoing major renovations
C) A school building built before 1980
D) A multi-family residential building built before 1980
Answer: A) A building constructed after 1980
Rationale: Buildings constructed after 1980 are less likely to contain asbestos, as regulations
limiting its use were implemented around that time.
7. When conducting an asbestos survey, the inspector must
A) Test for asbestos in every material in the building
B) Obtain a sample of every suspected asbestos-containing material
C) Only inspect areas with visible damage
D) Document the presence of asbestos without sampling
Answer: B) Obtain a sample of every suspected asbestos-containing material
Rationale: Asbestos surveys must include the collection of samples from all suspected ACMs to
confirm the presence and concentration of asbestos.
8. Which of the following is the most common form of asbestos found in buildings?
