We have received the awaited final air clearance test results for Gist Hall. No asbestos fibers have been detected. Gist Hall re-opened as scheduled Monday, August 12 at 8:00 am.
Please join us to celebrate the re-opening on Thursday, August 15 in the lobby of Gist Hall starting at 8:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.
On Friday, May 10, disturbed material was discovered in Gist Hall during a check of the building’s systems following reports of heating issues. The substance is presumed to be asbestos and as a result, Gist Hall closed several weeks to ensure the health and safety of students and employees. Gist Hall re-opened after receiving final air clearance test results.
Updates
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Contracted asbestos work continued during the week of August 5 and consisted of the removal of all accessible asbestos and lockdown of any inaccessible material to ensure it remains intact. Throughout the work, each work zone was tested prior to moving to another area to ensure that each work zone passed clearance.
The contracted services in Gist Hall are expected to continue through the middle of next week. Once the contractors are finished the CAC (certified asbestos consultant) will conduct the required air sampling. Once the University receives results that pass the required clearances, custodians will prepare the building for re-occupancy. At this time re-occupancy is expected to occur on August 12 throughout the day.
The removal of disturbed asbestos in Gist Hall has begun. Humboldt has entered into a contractual agreement with Infinity Abatement Services out of Redding, California, to complete the work. Estimated completion is no later than August 9. Once removal has been completed, final air sampling will be conducted to allow the building to be occupied.
Humboldt has entered into a contractual agreement with Infinity Abatement Services out of Redding, California, to complete the asbestos removal from Gist Hall.
They will commence removal on July 8 and the estimated completion is no later than August 9, which is reflected in the contract language. Once removal has been completed, final air sampling will be conducted to allow the building to be occupied.
Humboldt has accepted an asbestos removal proposal from the contractor most able to facilitate the removal within a timeframe that would allow for re-occupancy of Gist Hall before the beginning of the Fall term.
Once the contractor is on site and has been able to make a visual confirmation of the full scope of work, they should be able to provide a more definitive completion date, which, once determined, will be posted on this website.
After the removal, a final set of air clearance samples will need to be taken prior to allowing the re-occupancy of Gist Hall.
After the initial discovery of disturbed asbestos in the air plenum of Gist Hall, material in the attic floor was tested to determine if it had been contaminated with asbestos from adjacent piping insulation.
Tests confirm that the material presumed to be disturbed asbestos found in Gist Hall earlier this month does indeed contain some asbestos. Similar loose material -- recently found in various areas of the building--will be tested for asbestos, as well. Results of this latest assessment are expected next week.
As detailed in prior communications, no asbestos fibers have been detected in the air of Gist Hall, according to test results conducted by a private lab.