Which listed product category in an older building is documented as potentially containing asbestos and warrants appropriate caution before disturbance?
Correct Answer
A) Resilient floor tiles and their adhesives
Some older resilient floor tiles, backing and adhesives can contain asbestos. Appearance or building age alone does not establish the material’s contents, and a simple construction-year cutoff is unreliable. Do not disturb suspect material to diagnose it. EPA recommends appropriately qualified assessment when damage or planned disturbance makes it relevant; intact material not to be disturbed does not automatically require testing or removal.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option A is correct because EPA identifies floor tiles among building materials that may contain asbestos, and older resilient floor tiles, backing and adhesives can contain it. Such material warrants caution before disturbance. Appearance or building age alone does not confirm its content, so qualified assessment may be needed if damage or disturbance is planned.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Bare copper metal, with nothing applied
Option B, bare copper metal with nothing applied, is wrong because plain copper is not a documented asbestos-containing product in the listed categories.
Option C: Bare aluminum metal, with nothing applied
Option C, bare aluminum metal with nothing applied, is wrong because uncoated aluminum is not among the documented asbestos-containing building product categories.
Option D: Untreated natural wood, with no coating
Option D, untreated natural wood with no coating, is wrong because natural wood with nothing applied is not a documented asbestos-containing product.
Old tiles and glue: assess first
Old floor tiles and their adhesives are classic suspect materials, so get qualified assessment before disturbing them.
How to use: Use this when a question asks which older building product may contain asbestos.
Exam Tip
Look for the product category EPA lists, such as floor tiles, roofing or cement products, rather than plain untreated materials.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Assuming a construction-year cutoff proves materials are asbestos-free
- -Scraping or breaking suspect material to check it
- -Assuming every intact suspect material must be removed
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests recognition of building products that may contain asbestos. EPA lists floor tiles among building materials where asbestos was commonly used. The other options describe bare metals or untreated wood with nothing applied, which are not documented asbestos-containing products.
Background Knowledge
Asbestos was used mostly in building materials such as roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products and asbestos cement products. Intact material that will not be disturbed does not automatically require testing or removal, but damage or renovation raises the concern.
Real-World Application
A buyer plans to tear out old vinyl floor tiles in a mid-century home. The appraiser notes the tiles as potentially asbestos-containing and recommends qualified testing before removal.
More Property Description Questions
A local zoning ordinance allows these maximum densities: R-1, 4 units per acre; R-2, 8 units per acre; R-4, 20 units per acre; PUD (with approval), 12 units per acre. Which category allows the highest density?
What design advantage is commonly associated with post-and-beam construction?
A hypothetical local ordinance permits either a single-family house or duplex on the site. The existing single-family house complies with all current rules. Which statement is supported?
A zoning variance allowing a reduced side setback is granted for a parcel. After the parcel is sold, who generally holds the benefit of the variance, subject to its conditions?
Under ANSI Z765-2021 as applied by Fannie Mae, a staircase runs from the second floor down to the first floor. Its area is counted as part of:
Under ANSI Z765-2021, as Fannie Mae requires for a detached house, where are exterior dimensions taken on a brick-veneer wall?
A building's HVAC system would be classified as which type of building component?
A home on a large tract is valued at $620,000 including the land it needs. The remaining excess land could be sold separately and contributes a net $95,000 after separation costs. What is the total indicated value?
A covered sale concerns a residence built in 1965. Which hazard is the subject of the federal pre 1978 housing disclosure rule, without assuming its actual presence?
Which site characteristic is most likely to reduce site utility by restricting where a typical dwelling can be placed?
People Also Study
Real Estate Market
13.6% of exam
Land or Site Valuation
4.5% of exam
Sales Comparison Approach
16.4% of exam
Cost Approach
13.6% of exam
Income Approach
8.2% of exam
Previous Question
An appraiser discovers that a property is located within 500 feet of a known contaminated site listed on the National Priorities List (Superfund site). What should the appraiser do with this information?
Next Question
An otherwise supported $648,000 indication excludes a particular external influence. Its attributable stabilized annual net income loss is $4,500. The applicable direct-capitalization model uses 9% for that loss. What indication follows after recognizing the effect once?