40 CFR 61.145: Standard for demolition and renovation
The official text is on the eCFR. Below: how the section is organized, the paragraphs our CSP questions are built on, and free questions to try.
Quoted from the eCFR, current as of 2026-10-14; last amended 2016-12-02.
How 40 CFR 61.145 is organized
- (a) Applicability14 paragraphs
- (b) Notification requirements34 paragraphs
- (c) Procedures for asbestos emission control37 paragraphs
Paragraphs our practice questions cite most
Counted across the 15 live PassCited questions on this section: our bank, not the real exam.
“(iii) It was not accessible for testing and was, therefore, not discovered until after demolition began and, as a result of the demolition, the material cannot be safely removed. If not removed for safety reasons, the exposed RACM and any asbestos-contaminated debris must be treated as asbestos-containing waste material and adequately wet at all times until disposed of.”
“(A) The owner or operator has obtained prior written approval from the Administrator based on a written application that wetting to comply with this paragraph would unavoidably damage equipment or present a safety hazard; and”
“(i) At least 10 working days before asbestos stripping or removal work or any other activity begins (such as site preparation that would break up, dislodge or similarly disturb asbestos material), if the operation is described in paragraphs (a) (1) and (4) (except (a)(4)(iii) and (a)(4)(iv)) of this section. If the operation is as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, notification is required 10 working days before demolition begins.”
“(ii) At least 10 working days before the end of the calendar year preceding the year for which notice is being given for renovations described in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section.”
“(1) Provide the Administrator with a written notice of the new start date at least 10 working days before asbestos stripping or removal work begins.”
Free practice questions on 40 CFR 61.145
Question 1
During a renovation, a contractor must strip RACM from boiler piping that stays in place. Wetting the material would short out nearby energized control equipment, which would create a safety hazard. The contractor plans to strip it dry and use a glove-bag system designed to contain the asbestos particles. No one has contacted EPA about the plan. Is dry stripping allowed?
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Answer: D. No, because the owner has not obtained prior written approval from the Administrator based on a written application
Under the asbestos NESHAP, wetting can be skipped in renovation only with prior written approval from the Administrator based on a written application, and with a listed control method such as a glove bag. The glove bag alone is not enough. The waiver does exist, so a flat ban is wrong. A safety hazard without approval is also insufficient.
Answer D rests on
40 CFR 61.145(c)(3)(i)(A)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“(A) The owner or operator has obtained prior written approval from the Administrator based on a written application that wetting to comply with this paragraph would unavoidably damage equipment or present a safety hazard; and”
Question 2
A contractor is drafting a demolition notification for a four-story building. Before demolition, the crew will remove all RACM, but the survey also found Category I nonfriable ACM (roofing material in good condition) that will stay in place and be demolished with the building. The draft lists the length of RACM pipe to be removed. What else must the notification estimate about the roofing material?
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Answer: C. The approximate amount of Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM in the affected part of the facility that will not be removed before demolition
NESHAP's notification content rules require an estimate of RACM to be removed and also an estimate of the approximate amount of Category I and II nonfriable ACM that will not be removed before demolition. Leaving it out is wrong. Replacement cost and post-landfill weight are not required items.
Answer C rests on
40 CFR 61.145(b)(4)(vi)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Also, estimate the approximate amount of Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM in the affected part of the facility that will not be removed before demolition.”
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A study aid, not legal advice or an official interpretation. Always check the current eCFR text.