CSST EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
How do you decide whether a material is assessed as potential damage or potential
significant damage? - ANSWER Is the material already damaged? (In general,
potential significant damage is used for materials that are already damaged). Is the
expected damage going to be significant or minor? Is there a change in building
use that will create a potential for damage? Is there continuing major disturbance?
The fifth floor of an office building has 10 identical offices (5 on each side of a
common hallway) used by clerical and administrative staff. There is a drop ceiling,
and an open air-plenum with sprayed fireproofing over the entire floor. Near the
end of the hall is an unlocked mechanical/electrical room. Next to it is a closet
where custodial supplies are kept. Across the hall are men and women's restrooms.
At each end of the hall are stairways with exposed fire proofing on the ceiling and
insulated risers. If you were only inspecting this floor, what functional spaces
would you divide it into and why? - ANSWER inspection showed few significant
differences). functional space - all 10 offices (similar occupants and functions)
functional space - hallway (though could easily be grouped with offices) (similar
occupants and function) functional space - mechanical room (limited function and
limited occupant access) functional space - custodial closet (limited functions and
occupant access) functional space - restrooms functional space - stairways
functional space - entire air plenum
Name at least 5 items that an inspector should have on hand when planning to take
samples. - ANSWER Leakproof sampling containers, spray mister bottle with
amended water, drop clothes, knife/cutter/borer/drill or other sampling tool,
caulking, pen and labels, ladder, flashlight, tape, cloths for spill cleanup, HEPA
vacuum, camera, respirator, protective clothing
Briefly define what is meant by a homogeneous sampling area. - ANSWER It is
an area of material that is uniform in color and texture and you believe is all the
same. (Besides color and texture, most inspectors also add to the definition "and
believed to be installed at the same time or during the same construction period.")
It is easier to think in terms of a homogeneous sampling material (rather than area).
This helps us identify which materials need to be sampled and how often. The
same material may be found in many functional spaces. Sprayed acoustic ceiling
material may be homogeneous throughout an entire building (or it may not be!)
, Floor tile is used throughout a building. How do you determine the number of
homogeneous sampling materials? - ANSWER Is it all the same size, color,
pattern? If not, how many different types are there? Have there been renovations
that might include new flooring? (The color of floor tile indicates a separately
manufactured material. Most inspectors use "color" as part of the homogenous
material decision-making process only if the color is added during the
manufacturing process, not simply painted on. For example, plaster with the same
texture that was thought to have been applied during the same construction period
would be homogenous regardless of the color of the paint applied to its surface.)
AHERA mandates the number of samples that must be taken randomly to prove a
material is not ACM. How many samples must you take for: Surfacing Material -
ANSWER -Less than 1000 sq. ft. 3 Recommend 9. -Between 1000 and 5000 sq. ft.
5 Recommend 9 .
-Greater than 5000 sq. ft. 7 Recommend 9
AHERA mandates the number of samples that must be taken randomly to prove a
material is not ACM. How many samples must you take for: Surfacing Material:
TSI - ANSWER -TSI in general 3.
-Less than 6 ft. of patched. 1
- Elbows, Cementitous material sufficient to determine
AHERA mandates the number of samples that must be taken randomly to prove a
material is not ACM. How many samples must you take for: Surfacing Material:
Misc materials - ANSWER sufficient to determine
Why was asbestos added to construction materials ? - ANSWER It provided:
insulation properties, strength and durability from weathering, made spray on
products easier to apply, and does not conduct electricity.
What are the three types of asbestos and their associated species? - ANSWER
Chrysotile : Serpentine , Amosite and Crocidolites : amphiboles.
What is the predominant color and structure of Chrysotile asbestos ? - ANSWER
white , long , curly , hollow
What is the predominant color and structure of Amosite asbestos ? - ANSWER
brown / tan ; long and straight
, What is the predominant color and structure of Crocidolite ? - ANSWER blue ;
long and straight
What is the definition of a Surfacing material ? - ANSWER is a sprayed on
troweled on or otherwise applied to structural surfaces EX: acoustic / decorative
ceilings, fire proofing, textured paints and plasters.
what is the definition of Thermal Systems Insulation? - ANSWER applied to
pipes, fittings, tanks, other structural, components etc. , to prevent heat loss or
gain. EX: pipe insulation, elbow mud, block insulation, air cell, asbestos paper
wrap, preformed halves, magnesium silica, etc
what is the definition of Miscellaneous products: - ANSWER material that is not
TSI or surfacing but applied to structural components.
Define Friable vs non friable. - ANSWER Friable asbestos will crumble ,
pulverize or otherwise release dust by applying hand pressure.
What agency does not use the term friable ? why? - ANSWER OSHA - because
tools that are used by workers can easily make non friable materials friable.
Primary type of asbestos used in the U.S ? - ANSWER Chrysotile.
List three building materials / locations where ACM is likely to be found -
ANSWER fire doors, fume hoods, felt under roofs or siding, amosite sheeting, kiln
bricks and cement, lab equipment, fire safety and equipment, auditorium curtains,
gaskets, vibration joints, etc.
What are the 3 major illnesses related to asbestos exposures ? - ANSWER
Asbestosis, Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma.
What is a latency period ? What is the latency period for asbestos related
illnesses ? - ANSWER the time between exposure and symptoms / sign of illness.
10-40 years.
Why does cigarette smoking increase chances of getting an asbestos related illness
? - ANSWER Paralyzes Cillia in lung.
What asbestos related disease normally appears only after long, large,
occupational exposure to asbestos ? - ANSWER Asbestosis
, what asbestos related disease primarily affects those exposed to asbestos who
smoke cigarettes? - ANSWER lung cancer - increases chances over 50 times.
who must participate in a medical surveillance program - ANSWER -Employees
who conduct Class I, Class II, and Class III work for more than thirty days.
-Employees who are exposed over the PEL for thirty or more days in a year.
When are asbestos medical surveillance physical exams required ? - ANSWER -
Before doing the work (pre employment, pre placement)
- Annually
- Upon termination (Cal OSHA requirement)
What should be performed at an asbestos medical surveillance exam ? - ANSWER
Occupational History Exam, Chest X ray, Pulmonary Function Test, stool sample
Is there a safe level of asbestos exposure ? - ANSWER no
What are the 7 major components of the AHERA law ? Whom do they apply ? -
ANSWER inspection and reinspection requirements, sampling and inspection
procedures, lab approval process, accredited and non accredited training programs,
clearance air testing, management plan requirements, notification requirements.
how many days is the required accredited training for a building inspector ,
management planner , project supervisor, abatement worker , project designer ? -
ANSWER 3 , 2 , 5 , 4 , 3
When is unaccredited in house training ok ? - ANSWER Maintenance or custodial
working in areas where friable ACM is present (2 hour awareness course) ,
Maintenance personnel disturbing small amounts of asbestos (2 hours awareness +
14 for sixteen hours operations and maintenance training).
What regulation and agency requires an asbestos inspection be done before,
renovations or demolitions and requires removal of ACM prior to demolition ? -
ANSWER National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) ,
APCD
what are the 3 categories of materials that an inspector must look for when
conduction a NESHAP building inspection ? - ANSWER Friable Materials ,
Category 1 non friable, and Category 2 Non Friable
CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
How do you decide whether a material is assessed as potential damage or potential
significant damage? - ANSWER Is the material already damaged? (In general,
potential significant damage is used for materials that are already damaged). Is the
expected damage going to be significant or minor? Is there a change in building
use that will create a potential for damage? Is there continuing major disturbance?
The fifth floor of an office building has 10 identical offices (5 on each side of a
common hallway) used by clerical and administrative staff. There is a drop ceiling,
and an open air-plenum with sprayed fireproofing over the entire floor. Near the
end of the hall is an unlocked mechanical/electrical room. Next to it is a closet
where custodial supplies are kept. Across the hall are men and women's restrooms.
At each end of the hall are stairways with exposed fire proofing on the ceiling and
insulated risers. If you were only inspecting this floor, what functional spaces
would you divide it into and why? - ANSWER inspection showed few significant
differences). functional space - all 10 offices (similar occupants and functions)
functional space - hallway (though could easily be grouped with offices) (similar
occupants and function) functional space - mechanical room (limited function and
limited occupant access) functional space - custodial closet (limited functions and
occupant access) functional space - restrooms functional space - stairways
functional space - entire air plenum
Name at least 5 items that an inspector should have on hand when planning to take
samples. - ANSWER Leakproof sampling containers, spray mister bottle with
amended water, drop clothes, knife/cutter/borer/drill or other sampling tool,
caulking, pen and labels, ladder, flashlight, tape, cloths for spill cleanup, HEPA
vacuum, camera, respirator, protective clothing
Briefly define what is meant by a homogeneous sampling area. - ANSWER It is
an area of material that is uniform in color and texture and you believe is all the
same. (Besides color and texture, most inspectors also add to the definition "and
believed to be installed at the same time or during the same construction period.")
It is easier to think in terms of a homogeneous sampling material (rather than area).
This helps us identify which materials need to be sampled and how often. The
same material may be found in many functional spaces. Sprayed acoustic ceiling
material may be homogeneous throughout an entire building (or it may not be!)
, Floor tile is used throughout a building. How do you determine the number of
homogeneous sampling materials? - ANSWER Is it all the same size, color,
pattern? If not, how many different types are there? Have there been renovations
that might include new flooring? (The color of floor tile indicates a separately
manufactured material. Most inspectors use "color" as part of the homogenous
material decision-making process only if the color is added during the
manufacturing process, not simply painted on. For example, plaster with the same
texture that was thought to have been applied during the same construction period
would be homogenous regardless of the color of the paint applied to its surface.)
AHERA mandates the number of samples that must be taken randomly to prove a
material is not ACM. How many samples must you take for: Surfacing Material -
ANSWER -Less than 1000 sq. ft. 3 Recommend 9. -Between 1000 and 5000 sq. ft.
5 Recommend 9 .
-Greater than 5000 sq. ft. 7 Recommend 9
AHERA mandates the number of samples that must be taken randomly to prove a
material is not ACM. How many samples must you take for: Surfacing Material:
TSI - ANSWER -TSI in general 3.
-Less than 6 ft. of patched. 1
- Elbows, Cementitous material sufficient to determine
AHERA mandates the number of samples that must be taken randomly to prove a
material is not ACM. How many samples must you take for: Surfacing Material:
Misc materials - ANSWER sufficient to determine
Why was asbestos added to construction materials ? - ANSWER It provided:
insulation properties, strength and durability from weathering, made spray on
products easier to apply, and does not conduct electricity.
What are the three types of asbestos and their associated species? - ANSWER
Chrysotile : Serpentine , Amosite and Crocidolites : amphiboles.
What is the predominant color and structure of Chrysotile asbestos ? - ANSWER
white , long , curly , hollow
What is the predominant color and structure of Amosite asbestos ? - ANSWER
brown / tan ; long and straight
, What is the predominant color and structure of Crocidolite ? - ANSWER blue ;
long and straight
What is the definition of a Surfacing material ? - ANSWER is a sprayed on
troweled on or otherwise applied to structural surfaces EX: acoustic / decorative
ceilings, fire proofing, textured paints and plasters.
what is the definition of Thermal Systems Insulation? - ANSWER applied to
pipes, fittings, tanks, other structural, components etc. , to prevent heat loss or
gain. EX: pipe insulation, elbow mud, block insulation, air cell, asbestos paper
wrap, preformed halves, magnesium silica, etc
what is the definition of Miscellaneous products: - ANSWER material that is not
TSI or surfacing but applied to structural components.
Define Friable vs non friable. - ANSWER Friable asbestos will crumble ,
pulverize or otherwise release dust by applying hand pressure.
What agency does not use the term friable ? why? - ANSWER OSHA - because
tools that are used by workers can easily make non friable materials friable.
Primary type of asbestos used in the U.S ? - ANSWER Chrysotile.
List three building materials / locations where ACM is likely to be found -
ANSWER fire doors, fume hoods, felt under roofs or siding, amosite sheeting, kiln
bricks and cement, lab equipment, fire safety and equipment, auditorium curtains,
gaskets, vibration joints, etc.
What are the 3 major illnesses related to asbestos exposures ? - ANSWER
Asbestosis, Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma.
What is a latency period ? What is the latency period for asbestos related
illnesses ? - ANSWER the time between exposure and symptoms / sign of illness.
10-40 years.
Why does cigarette smoking increase chances of getting an asbestos related illness
? - ANSWER Paralyzes Cillia in lung.
What asbestos related disease normally appears only after long, large,
occupational exposure to asbestos ? - ANSWER Asbestosis
, what asbestos related disease primarily affects those exposed to asbestos who
smoke cigarettes? - ANSWER lung cancer - increases chances over 50 times.
who must participate in a medical surveillance program - ANSWER -Employees
who conduct Class I, Class II, and Class III work for more than thirty days.
-Employees who are exposed over the PEL for thirty or more days in a year.
When are asbestos medical surveillance physical exams required ? - ANSWER -
Before doing the work (pre employment, pre placement)
- Annually
- Upon termination (Cal OSHA requirement)
What should be performed at an asbestos medical surveillance exam ? - ANSWER
Occupational History Exam, Chest X ray, Pulmonary Function Test, stool sample
Is there a safe level of asbestos exposure ? - ANSWER no
What are the 7 major components of the AHERA law ? Whom do they apply ? -
ANSWER inspection and reinspection requirements, sampling and inspection
procedures, lab approval process, accredited and non accredited training programs,
clearance air testing, management plan requirements, notification requirements.
how many days is the required accredited training for a building inspector ,
management planner , project supervisor, abatement worker , project designer ? -
ANSWER 3 , 2 , 5 , 4 , 3
When is unaccredited in house training ok ? - ANSWER Maintenance or custodial
working in areas where friable ACM is present (2 hour awareness course) ,
Maintenance personnel disturbing small amounts of asbestos (2 hours awareness +
14 for sixteen hours operations and maintenance training).
What regulation and agency requires an asbestos inspection be done before,
renovations or demolitions and requires removal of ACM prior to demolition ? -
ANSWER National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) ,
APCD
what are the 3 categories of materials that an inspector must look for when
conduction a NESHAP building inspection ? - ANSWER Friable Materials ,
Category 1 non friable, and Category 2 Non Friable
