The Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency regulates demolitions and asbestos removal under two different sets of regulations. The first are the Federal Asbestos NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) regulations. These govern all public/commercial building demolitions, and removal of federally regulated asbestos materials from public/commercial buildings. Renovation or demolition projects in these types of buildings are required to be thoroughly inspected for the presence of asbestos prior to the renovation or demolition. This includes apartment buildings with more than 4 units. Federally regulated asbestos materials are those which are friable (can be crumbled using hand pressure), or are likely to become friable during demolition or renovation activities. Federally regulated asbestos consists primarily of thermal system insulation, such as boiler, duct, and pipe insulation. Also, to come under federal regulations, the amount of asbestos being removed must exceed 160 square feet, or 260 linear feet of material.
The second set of regulations the Agency enforces are called Local Regulations. These regulations govern the demolition of residential structures, and removal of non-federally regulated asbestos from public/commercial and residential structures. Non-regulated asbestos materials include floor tile, linoleum, transite siding and roofing shingles, and built-up roofing systems, along with friable asbestos in quantities below 160 square, or 260 linear feet. The Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency is the only agency in North Carolina to have such regulations. The main purpose of these regulations is to protect household residents and non-professional asbestos removal personnel from accidental exposure to asbestos fibers.
Any demolition or asbestos removal project in Buncombe County is required to have a permit under one of these two regulations. This permit may be issued only after the notification to the Agency. Below is the notification form with an explanation for completing each section. This notification form, once signed by the owner or his responsible representative and an agent of the WNCRAQA, is considered a permit for the affected demolition and/or asbestos removal. The Agency cannot accept electronic transfer of the form; the Agency's copy must have an original signature. Finally, any public/commercial renovation project that will disturb potential asbestos containing material must be thoroughly inspected prior to the renovation.