Abstract: A decontamination chamber entranceway to an asbestos removal work area includes rigid swinging doors for a rapid escape from the contaminated work area due to an emergency such as a fire or smoke. Also during a power failure it is easy for the workers to leave the work area through the rigid swinging doors of the invention. Each of the doors may include an air inlet opening having at least one plastic flap covering the inlet opening which allows suitable amounts of air to flow through the inlet to maintain a negative air pressure in the work area while having air flow in the work area sufficient to change the air at least every 10 to 15 minutes. The plastic flaps of the doors are preferably pivotally-mounted rigid clear plastic which seal automatically upon loss of negative air pressure in the work area. The rigid flaps can be electro-mechanically operated to positively control the size and functioning of air inlet openings and close off the openings upon emergency conditions.

Abstract: A disposable canister containing a HEPA filtration mechanism is used in conjunction with a removably mounted vacuum motor assembly. The vacuum motor assembly draws particulate-laden air, including harmful airborne contaminants, into an inlet opening of the canister by a disposable vacuum hose. The inlet opening is made of a magnetically attracting material. The particulate-laden air is then filtered through the HEPA filtration mechanism prior to exiting from the canister as non-contaminated air. Upon termination of the vacuum force on the inlet, a hinged magnetic flap seals the inlet to the canister. The immediate and complete sealing of the inlet by the magnetically biased flap assures against escape of harmful contaminants from the canister.

Abstract: A decontamination chamber entranceway to an asbestos removal work area includes rigid swinging doors for a rapid escape from the contaminated work area due to an emergency such as a fire or smoke. Also during a power failure it is easy for the workers to leave the work area through the rigid swinging doors of the invention. Each of the doors may include an air inlet opening having at least one plastic flap covering the inlet opening which allows suitable amounts of air to flow through the inlet to maintain a negative air pressure in the work area while having air flow in the work area sufficient to change the air at least every 10 to 15 minutes. The plastic flaps of the doors are preferable pivotally-mounted rigid clear plastic which seal automatically upon loss of negative air pressure in the work area. The rigid flaps can be electro-mechanically operated to positively control size and functioning of air inlet openings and close off the openings upon emergency conditions.

Abstract: An impermeable membrane seals a layer of asbestos contaminated material and contaminated earth of an earthen floor so as to prevent airborne contamination by asbestos fibers to a crawl space located underneath a building. The asbestos contaminated material is permanently encapsulated in the crawl space with the impermeable membrane which allows walking or crawling through the crawl space without the asbestos contaminated material becoming airborne due to the stretchability of the impermeable membrane. In addition, any gas entrapped by the impermeable membrane is vented to the outside by a hollow tube passing through the membrane and communicating with the outside of the building. Optionally, cementatious material may be entrapped between the earthen floor and the impermeable membrane which, upon mixture with condensate formed on the undersurface of the membrane, would harden and rigidify the asbestos contaminated material in place.

Abstract: An entranceway to an asbestos contaminated work area includes solid doors for a rapid escape from a contaminated work area due to an emergency such as a fire and the dangers posed by exposure to smoke. Also during a power failure it is easy for the workers to leave the work area. The immediate exiting from the work area is thereby greatly facilitated by the solid swinging doors of the invention. Each of the doors have a transparent portion through which the work area or an adjacent chamber of a decontamination chamber may be observed. The doors further include an air inlet having at least one flexible plastic flap covering the inlet which allows suitable amounts of air to flow through the inlet to maintain a negative air pressure in the work area while the air in the work area is changed at least every 10 to 15 minutes. The plastic flaps of the doorway seal automatically upon loss of negative air pressure in the work area.

Abstract: An entranceway to an asbestos contaminated work area includes solid doors for a rapid escape from a contaminated work area due to an emergency such as a fire and the danger posed by exposure to smoke. Also during a power failure it is easy for the workers to leave the work area. The immediate exiting from the work area is thereby greatly facilitated by the solid swinging doors. Each of the doors have a transparent portion through which the work area or an adjacent chamber of a decontamination chamber may be observed. The doors further include an air inlet having at least one flexible plastic flap covering the inlet which allows suitable amounts of air to flow through the inlet to maintain a negative air pressure in the work area while the air in the work area is changed at least every 10 to 15 minutes. The plastic flaps of the doorway seal automatically upon loss of negative air pressure in the work area.

Abstract: In an asbestos scraping assembly, the arm of an operator is confortably cradled in a scraper extension bracket so as to apply greater force to a scraper blade with less effort by the operator than is required of a hand-held scraper blade. The hand of the operator holds a bar of the scraper extension bracket so as to position the area of contact of the scraper blade cutting edge with the surface from which asbestos is to be removed.

Abstract: An improved glove/mitten has been developed which includes steel needles projecting from one side of the glove/mitten to ensure complete removal of asbestos-containing materials from complex structures. The glove/mitten is bendable to adapt itself to the shape of the structure from which the asbestos-containing material is to be removed.

Abstract: A fire condition detection and control system for use with air moving and filtering units. The system includes one or more remote fire condition detection units, which sense heat or smoke and, upon such sensing, transmit a signal indicative of an alarm condition to one or more air moving and filtering units located within a containment area. The transmission is by wireless radio frequency transmission and/or a wired transmission line or cable. The air moving and filtering units detect the alarm condition and disconnect power to the blower motor of the air moving and filtering unit. The receiver and control circuitry may be integral with the air moving and filtering unit, or may be part of a separate control unit that plugs into conventional air moving and filtering units.

Abstract: A containment bag system specifically used for the removal of asbestos insulation from asbestos covered pipes and valves without contamination of the worker or the surrounding environment. A method of removing asbestos and other hazardous materials from limited areas uses a safe containment system. A method for manufacturing the containment system includes heat sealing a length of lay-flat tubing along a bottom edge and preferably along two side edges.

Abstract: A filtration device for filtering airborne contaminants, such as airborne asbestos fibers, from the air, including a housing having an inlet for receiving contaminated air, an outlet for expelling filtered air outside of the housing, a filter, including a HEPA filter, in sealed communication with the inlet, and a blower within the housing for drawing air through the filter means and for expelling the filtered air through the outlet to the outside of the housing. A control and display system continuously senses differential air pressure within the housing and blower speed, converts the differential air pressure and blower speed to an air flow rate value and displays the air flow rate through a display unit. Manually controllable key pad switches are provided to selectively change the desired air flow rate, to set upper and lower pressure limit values, and to set the operating time for the system operation.

Abstract: A sealed filtration cannister including a filtration mechanism sealed within the cannister. A prefilter and a HEPA filter entrap asbestos-containing dust within the sealed cannister. Upon usage of the filtration cannister for a predetermined number of hours, the cannister is disposed of in its entirety. The cannister is used in conjunction with a separate vacuum cleaner device having a suction hose communicating with a cannister lid removably mounted on top of the cannister. Alternatively, the cannister is used with a portable vacuum motor assembly removably mounted on top of the cannister to provide independent suction to the filtration cannister.

Abstract: An abandoned or inactive portion of an asbestos open pit or underground shaft mine is used to permanently bury asbestos waste material produced from asbestos mining, asbestos processing and building demolition or renovation. The asbestos waste material is deposited in the mine, preferrably, in sealed containers and covered with tailings or non-asbestos material, such as soil or the like. As the asbestos waste material is deposited in the mine, it is covered with a layer of tailings or non-asbestos material within any twenty-four hour period. This procedure is repeated until the mine if filled and ultimately covered with a layer of non-asbestos material. A layer of vegetation is then planted on top of the former mine site.