Practical guidance from JSA
A starting point for your project.
Follow the path that matches your situation, then bring the details to JSA. The right ScopeThe work included in the assignment: areas, materials, methods, reporting, and any exclusions. depends on the property, the planned work, and the question you need answered.
Homeowners, contractors & developers
Renovation or demolition
A kitchen remodel, tenant improvement, or demolition starts with understanding the materials the work will disturb.
Define the work
List the rooms, surfaces, and systems involved. Include hidden layers, access limits, and any planned changes to the scope.
Bring the relevant information together
Review existing asbestos surveys and lead reports with the project team. Different materials and different kinds of work can call for different assessments.
Confirm the local requirements
Use the county guide to find the right agencies. Confirm the project address, building use, notices, permits, and scheduling requirements before work starts.
Plan what comes after the results
Discuss how findings affect the work, who will perform it, and whether oversight or ClearanceA post-work evaluation against the criteria that apply to the project. It may include visual examination and sampling; it is different from the original material inspection. belongs in the project scope.
Property managers, businesses & agencies
Commercial & public buildings
Occupied offices, retail properties, multifamily portfolios, and public facilities need coordination as well as clear findings.
Start with the building and its occupants
Identify the affected areas, current use, planned maintenance or construction, and who coordinates access.
Define the assessment
Share prior reports, plans, building history, and concerns such as damaged materials or recurring moisture. Match the assessment to the actual work and conditions.
Coordinate the project team
Identify owner, facilities, contractor, tenant, and agency contacts. Discuss access restrictions and project timing before the site visit.
Specify the documentation
Agree on the reports, location records, laboratory results, monitoring, and closeout information your team needs. Requirements depend on the building and work.
Homes, workplaces & restoration projects
Water damage or a musty smell
Start with the history of the leak and the materials affected. A useful investigation connects visible conditions with moisture information.
Document what you know
Note when the issue began, where water was observed, and what drying or repairs have already happened. Share existing photographs without disturbing materials.
Address the moisture source
Discuss the leak, drying needs, and affected areas with the appropriate project professionals. Sampling alone will not solve a water problem.
Decide what an assessment needs to answer
A visual assessment and moisture investigation help define the concern. Sampling is useful when it answers a specific question; it is not necessary for every visible mold problem.
Plan repair and verification
Before opening walls or removing finishes, consider other suspect building materials. Agree on any Mold remediationWork to address mold-affected materials and the moisture conditions associated with the problem. recommendations and follow-up verification included in the scope.
Center operators & facility teams
Child care drinking water
Use your building, licensing, and outlet records to plan AB 2370 testing. The drinking-water program has its own sampling and follow-up requirements.
Confirm coverage
Check the center’s licensing and building history against the AB 2370 guide. Confirm facility-specific questions with your licensing program analyst.
Review the outlet records
Gather outlet maps, the most recent results and sampling dates, and records of any fixture changes or corrective work.
Arrange the sampling
Coordinate the required sampling preparation, access, and documentation with a certified external water sampler and qualified laboratory.
Plan for the results
Know who receives the results and handles required notices and follow-up. The guide explains when an affected outlet must stop being used and what happens before reuse.
After the assessment
See the explanation on the report.
Explore a fictional JSA report with sample locations, laboratory results, limitations, and recommendations. Each numbered explanation points to the section it describes.
Explore the sample report →These planning paths bring together the linked JSA guides. See the official EPA asbestos guidance, EPA mold sampling guidance, and CDSS AB 2370 directives for the underlying information. Key source links checked September 20, 2026; project-specific requirements still need confirmation.
Your questions are welcome
Let’s talk about your property.
You don’t have to choose a test on your own. Tell us what you’ve noticed or what work you’re planning, and we’ll help you understand the next step.