The Three Types of Asbestos Inspection You May Need

An asbestos inspection will be carried out by a qualified consultant. They will check if any materials are likely to contain asbestos, take samples to test in the laboratory and carry out risk assessments to ensure the safety of all the building's occupants. There are three main types of inspection that you might need.

Management inspection

Firstly, a management inspection would take place if there are no plans to renovate or repair the building, but a risk assessment needs to be made to establish if asbestos is present. This may take the form of a presumptive inspection, in which the inspector identifies likely locations for asbestos and makes recommendations on the assumption that asbestos is present. Alternatively, there may be a sampling inspection, where samples of materials are taken and tested to see if asbestos is actually contained within them. This second type will be more expensive but can save money as you will not have to manage risks on materials that are actually harmless. Either way, you will have a plan to ensure the safety of anyone who uses the building.

Refurbishment and demolition inspection

The second type is a refurbishment and demolition inspection, which has to take place if any renovation or destructive work is happening. This will be much more thorough than a management inspection and will probably involve checking beneath the surfaces and in cavities in the ceilings and walls. This is necessary because asbestos could easily be uncovered during the renovation, which would put the health of the workers at risk. Inspecting the building before the work is done ensures that the asbestos is removed or made safe before it can harm your builders or anyone else working on the property.

Clearance inspection

Finally, a clearance inspection is required after asbestos removal to ensure the risk has been completely removed. If the asbestos was non-friable, this means it will not be present in the air and a visual inspection is not needed. Friable asbestos however can take the form of tiny fibres that can be released into the air and breathed in. In this case, the inspection will need to include air monitoring to ensure the asbestos has been entirely removed. The removal work will have been entirely enclosed, and the enclosure cannot be taken away until the clearance inspection shows that the air is safe.

These three types of inspection must all be done by qualified and competent professionals. Although they may seem daunting, the result is a safe environment where people can live or work without worrying about the effect on their health. 

For more information about asbestos inspections, contact a local company. 

Share