Dave Olson
Workin North of 60
Protocol for Ceiling Tile Removal
I’m sure many of us remove ceiling tiles to get to the access panels of most exhaust systems.
Are any of you guys using this protocol? I recently bid on a project that we had to use this procedure just to inspect the system. If we do the job we will need to use our negative air machine because of the amount of tiles that will need to be removed.
Dave Olson
PURPOSE
As our understanding of both acute and chronic health problems associated with indoor pollution increases, the importance of managing the removal of ceiling tiles becomes very critical. The removal of ceiling tiles, if not appropriately handled, can become significant sources of microbiological contamination in building environments leading to potential health problems for occupants ranging from simple irritation to allergic responses to hypersensitivity diseases.
POLICY
1. Ceiling tiles shall be removed and disposed of with-in 48 hours of water damage.
2. Ceiling tiles shall NOT be painted to cover cosmetic blemishes.
PROCEDURE
Procedure for Removal of Non-Soiled Ceiling Tiles for Above Ceiling Work
1. For general maintenance of above the ceiling work, ceiling tiles shall only be moved to the side and not completely removed from the ceiling grid. If it is necessary to remove the tile from the grid, the procedure for removal of Dry Soiled Tiles shall be followed.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles and latex gloves are required.
3. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
4. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the selected tile.
5. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top of the selected tile and tiles adjacent to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
6. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
7. Once work is complete securely replace all ceiling tiles
8. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
9. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
Procedure for Removal of Wet Ceiling Tiles
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles and latex gloves are required.
3. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
4. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
5. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
6. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
7. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
8. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
9. After removal of impacted tiles all bagged materials should be closed and duct taped using the gooseneck method.
10. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
11. Wet wipe the track that the ceiling tile sits in using a hospital approved disinfectant.
12. Wet wipe the ladder using a hospital approved disinfectant.
13. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
Procedure for Removal of 1 to 4 Stained Tiles That Are Dry
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles, gloves, protective gown, and either an N-95 mask.
3. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
4. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
5. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
6. A HEPA vacuum should be used to vacuum the underside and the top side of the tile that is to be removed as well as tiles that are adjacent to the stained tile.
7. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
8. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
9. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
10. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
11. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
12. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
13. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
Procedure for Removal of 5 to 12 stained Tiles that are Dry
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles, gloves, protective gown, and either an N-95 mask.
3. Isolate the work area from other areas of the building
4. Critical barriers in that area should be constructed using polyethylene plastic and duct or painter tape. These barriers should seal doorways, air supply vents, and return vents.
5. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
6. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
7. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
8. A HEPA vacuum should be used to vacuum the underside and the top side of the tile that is to be removed as well as tiles that are adjacent to the stained tile.
9. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
10. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
11. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
12. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
13. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
14. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
15. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
16. Remove and discard critical barriers.
Procedure for removal of 13 or More Stained Tiles that are Dry
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles, gloves, protective gown, and either an N-95 mask.
3. Isolate the work area from other areas of the building
4. Critical barriers in that area should be constructed using polyethylene plastic and duct or painter tape. These barriers should seal doorways, air supply vents, and return vents.
5. A negative air machine should be set up and turned on in the work area.
6. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
7. The surrounding area should also have polyethylene covering it.
8. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
9. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
10. A HEPA vacuum should be used to vacuum the underside and the top side of the tile that is to be removed as well as tiles that are adjacent to the stained tile.
11. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
12. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
13. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
14. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
15. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
16. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
17. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
18. Remove and discard critical barriers.
Shut off and remove negative air machine.
I’m sure many of us remove ceiling tiles to get to the access panels of most exhaust systems.
Are any of you guys using this protocol? I recently bid on a project that we had to use this procedure just to inspect the system. If we do the job we will need to use our negative air machine because of the amount of tiles that will need to be removed.
Dave Olson
PURPOSE
As our understanding of both acute and chronic health problems associated with indoor pollution increases, the importance of managing the removal of ceiling tiles becomes very critical. The removal of ceiling tiles, if not appropriately handled, can become significant sources of microbiological contamination in building environments leading to potential health problems for occupants ranging from simple irritation to allergic responses to hypersensitivity diseases.
POLICY
1. Ceiling tiles shall be removed and disposed of with-in 48 hours of water damage.
2. Ceiling tiles shall NOT be painted to cover cosmetic blemishes.
PROCEDURE
Procedure for Removal of Non-Soiled Ceiling Tiles for Above Ceiling Work
1. For general maintenance of above the ceiling work, ceiling tiles shall only be moved to the side and not completely removed from the ceiling grid. If it is necessary to remove the tile from the grid, the procedure for removal of Dry Soiled Tiles shall be followed.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles and latex gloves are required.
3. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
4. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the selected tile.
5. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top of the selected tile and tiles adjacent to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
6. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
7. Once work is complete securely replace all ceiling tiles
8. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
9. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
Procedure for Removal of Wet Ceiling Tiles
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles and latex gloves are required.
3. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
4. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
5. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
6. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
7. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
8. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
9. After removal of impacted tiles all bagged materials should be closed and duct taped using the gooseneck method.
10. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
11. Wet wipe the track that the ceiling tile sits in using a hospital approved disinfectant.
12. Wet wipe the ladder using a hospital approved disinfectant.
13. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
Procedure for Removal of 1 to 4 Stained Tiles That Are Dry
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles, gloves, protective gown, and either an N-95 mask.
3. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
4. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
5. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
6. A HEPA vacuum should be used to vacuum the underside and the top side of the tile that is to be removed as well as tiles that are adjacent to the stained tile.
7. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
8. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
9. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
10. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
11. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
12. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
13. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
Procedure for Removal of 5 to 12 stained Tiles that are Dry
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles, gloves, protective gown, and either an N-95 mask.
3. Isolate the work area from other areas of the building
4. Critical barriers in that area should be constructed using polyethylene plastic and duct or painter tape. These barriers should seal doorways, air supply vents, and return vents.
5. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
6. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
7. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
8. A HEPA vacuum should be used to vacuum the underside and the top side of the tile that is to be removed as well as tiles that are adjacent to the stained tile.
9. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
10. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
11. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
12. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
13. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
14. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
15. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
16. Remove and discard critical barriers.
Procedure for removal of 13 or More Stained Tiles that are Dry
1. Two people should conduct the removal.
2. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. A minimum of goggles, gloves, protective gown, and either an N-95 mask.
3. Isolate the work area from other areas of the building
4. Critical barriers in that area should be constructed using polyethylene plastic and duct or painter tape. These barriers should seal doorways, air supply vents, and return vents.
5. A negative air machine should be set up and turned on in the work area.
6. A sheet of polyethylene should be placed under the work area during the removal procedures. A ladder that is appropriate height should be used and placed on the polyethylene that has been placed under the work area.
7. The surrounding area should also have polyethylene covering it.
8. Carefully lift away adjacent ceiling tiles gaining access to the top of the soiled tile.
9. Using a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, mist the top and bottom of the soiled tile to prevent dust particles from becoming air born.
10. A HEPA vacuum should be used to vacuum the underside and the top side of the tile that is to be removed as well as tiles that are adjacent to the stained tile.
11. Carefully remove the stained ceiling tile and place the stained tile into disposal bags without dropping or breaking the tile.
12. Inspect the top side of the adjacent ceiling tiles for contamination or discoloration.
13. If moisture, contamination, or staining is found, the same procedure should be followed to remove additional tiles.
14. Identify the source of the water and make plans for corrective actions in that area.
15. HEPA vacuum the track that the ceiling tile sits in.
16. HEPA vacuum the ladder, polyethylene drop cloth, and each person working in the area.
17. Carefully roll the drop cloth and place in a disposal bag using the gooseneck sealing method. If further tiles are to be removed, the same piece of polyethylene may be used, but it must be cleaned before transferring to another area.
18. Remove and discard critical barriers.
Shut off and remove negative air machine.
