Asbestos was highly used in construction in the late 1800s due to its fire-resistant, chemical-resistant, heat-resistant, and insulating properties. But, it was forbidden in different continents including the UK due to the health risks involved in prolonged exposure to the material.
If asbestos fibres are inhaled, they damage the digestive and respiratory tracts. In fact, in the worst-case scenario, it leads to different dreadful diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Even a very small exposure to asbestos fibres can be highly harmful to your health which is why the UK government announced a complete ban on using asbestos.
For better safety and health regulations, it’s always wise to learn how to detect asbestos in your own home and business spaces. There are different types of asbestos surveys Hampshire are available.
Here are the 4 key guidelines you need to be aware of:
Asbestos Management Survey- Inspect Your Building Premises To Check the Materials Used
The primary purpose of the Asbestos Management Survey is to find out, as far as reasonably practicable the existence and extent of suspected asbestos-containing materials in the building premises that could be disturbed during regular occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and to access their condition. In the case of the commercial building established before 2000, a thorough Asbestos Survey is absolutely mandatory.
Where Asbestos is Usually Found
In order to detect asbestos in a structure, it is very crucial to understand where they are can generally be found. Asbestos fibres are generally noticed in other materials like:
Cement sheets – these are usually used for the roof due to their high heat resistance.
Vinyl tiles – Such type of tile is usually installed in bathrooms, pipes and other spaces that are usually wet as asbestos is waterproof.
Sprayed coatings – these are often utilised on walls. It is the riskiest of all asbestos-containing materials as these are prone to degradation and can be inhaled easily.
Asbestos Refurbishment Survey: A Vital Step in Protecting Against Asbestos Exposure.
One of the key steps in managing asbestos during a renovation or demolition project is to conduct an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey. This type of survey involves a thorough examination of the building to identify any asbestos-containing materials. The surveyor will take samples of suspect materials and have them tested to confirm the presence of asbestos. Once the Asbestos-containing materials have been identified, the surveyor will provide a detailed report that outlines the location, condition, and type of asbestos in the building, as well as recommendations for its management and removal.
It’s important to note that only certified and trained professionals should conduct an asbestos refurbishment survey. This is because disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release dangerous fibres into the air, putting both the workers and the building occupants at risk. This is why, before any renovation or demolition works start, A refurbishment & Demolition Asbestos Survey is conducted to identify and manage the asbestos risk effectively.
In addition to being a legal requirement, an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey can also help to keep workers, building occupants, and the general public safe from exposure to asbestos fibres. By identifying and managing Asbestos-containing materials in a building undergoing renovation or demolition, an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey can play an essential role in preventing asbestos-related diseases and ensuring the health and safety of all involved.
Get An Asbestos Sample
This is always best to assure that asbestos is terminated. At times, a generic asbestos survey is not sufficient. Therefore, it is always suggested to have all the possible stuff and materials tasted, or one can also get a sample of those things that might contain asbestos.
Getting asbestos samples is always wise to leave to the professionals to securely remove a sample for testing, the following needs to be observed:
- Seal off the entire space where the sample is to be collected. Be sure that there are no children or pets around.
- Always wear protective gear, asbestos is a highly risky component if inhaled, ingested, or enters the body. Therefore, masks, gloves as well as protective eyewear are always recommended.
- Blend with water with a certain amount of detergent and put it inside a spray bottle. It can be utilised in order to dampen the sample about to be terminated for the release of airborne asbestos fibre.
- Make sure to use the right kind of tools and equipment to collect the samples. This is always recommended to assure that all the layers of the materials are sampled for thorough checkups.
- Put a sufficient amount of materials into a zip-lock bag and seal it well. To add extra protection, adding another zip-lock bag is always a wise decision.
- Submit the sample for asbestos testing immediately.
Carrying Out The Removal Of Asbestos or Asbestos Containing Materials
After a thorough Asbestos Survey, when the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials has been confirmed through sample testing, the asbestos-containing materials should be terminated in the first place. And the entire removal process needs to be performed by licensed professionals as it’s a pretty dangerous and elaborate process. This is not recommended to terminate asbestos or asbestos-containing materials by yourself and it is considered illegal in certain states, too. You can try doing this if,
- It is legal in your state
- You want to do it on your own and you are aware of the entire process
- Take all the required safety precautions
In the removal of asbestos, there should be very low to almost no release of asbestos fibres. And in case of more than 10 square metres of asbestos to remove, you should hire a licensed removal team to get it done.