New York State Asbestos Investigator Practice Exam

Which of the following items is classified as suspect ACBM under AHERA?

1. Cinder blocks

2. Glass

3. Fire-rated cinder for boiler rooms

4. Steel

The correct answer is: Fire-rated cinder for boiler rooms

Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), certain materials are identified as Asbestos-Containing Building Materials (ACBM) if they are suspected of containing asbestos. "Suspect ACBM" refers to materials that, while they may not be definitively confirmed to contain asbestos, are likely candidates due to their nature, function, or the conditions under which they are used. Fire-rated cinder, particularly that which is utilized in boiler rooms, is classified as suspect ACBM because fire-rated materials often contain substances used to improve fire resistance, some of which might include asbestos. This is crucial since boiler rooms are high-risk environments where various fire protection methods may have historically involved asbestos-containing components for insulation or fire-resistance. In contrast, cinder blocks, glass, and steel are typically not classified as suspect ACBM. Cinder blocks are generally made from concrete and do not contain asbestos; glass materials commonly do not either; and steel is a metal devoid of asbestos content. Therefore, while they may have their own construction and safety considerations, they do not fit within the ACBM classification as defined under AHERA.