Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex: How Does Asbestos Testing Work in Sussex?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was extensively used in construction materials between the 1950s and 1980s. The mineral has been associated with lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, and any building materials that may contain asbestos need to be assessed by an asbestos testing company in Sussex before removal.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a reliable, accredited asbestos testing company in Sussex that is equipped to handle all your asbestos testing needs. Our experts use a range of techniques to find asbestos in your home or building and advice you on the best remedial action to take. Let's explore how asbestos testing works in Sussex and how Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex can help you manage asbestos on your property.

Understanding Asbestos

Asbestos is a versatile mineral has been used in various building materials because of its heat-resistant, strong, and durable nature. Common applications of asbestos in the UK include:

• Insulation and lagging material on pipes, boilers and ducts
• Flooring and tile adhesives
• Ceiling and wall textures and coatings
• Fire-resistant ceiling tiles
• Some roofing materials

Due to the mineral's harmful effects, UK law dictates that all public, commercial and residential buildings must be tested for any presence of asbestos. Asbestos testing involves identifying the type and concentration of asbestos fibres present in the air, soil or building materials.

Types of Asbestos Surveys

There are two types of asbestos surveys, namely:

Asbestos Management Survey

An asbestos management survey is the standard assessment survey for buildings that may contain asbestos. The survey entails the inspection of accessible materials potentially containing asbestos and taking representative samples. The samples undergo laboratory testing to determine the presence, type, and concentration of asbestos in the material.

After ascertaining the presence of asbestos, the surveyor prepares an asbestos register and an asbestos management plan with recommendations on how to manage the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) safely.

Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

An asbestos refurbishment/demolition survey is conducted before any construction, refurbishment, or demolition work to identify any ACMs that may be disturbed in the process. The survey is intrusive and involves the lion's share of the ACMs destruction. The survey report will specify the safety requirements for the work, including demolition/restoration procedures, removal, and disposal guidelines.

It is a legal requirement to have an asbestos survey conducted for any building or site built before 2000, whether public or private or for domestic or commercial purposes.

Asbestos Testing

Once asbestos-containing material is identified within your property or site, Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, an accredited asbestos testing company in Sussex, will determine if the ACM is hazardous or not. We will review the Management Asbestos Surveys or Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Survey to create a plan for the removal or safe management of the ACM based on the concentration of asbestos fibres in the material.

Should the ACM require removal, we advise our clients on how to remove and dispose of asbestos materials legally while observing the Environmental Protection Act 1990 regulations. If the material needs to remain on-site, we will advise on how to manage it safely.

Asbestos Testing Techniques

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we use various asbestos testing techniques to conduct the surveys. Some of the methods include:

Air Sampling

Airborne asbestos fibres can pose a significant health risk. During testing, we take air samples using an air pump fitted with a membrane filter. The membrane collects any asbestos fibres present in the air, after which the membrane is analysed in the laboratory using polarised-light microscopy techniques.

We take precautionary measures to prevent cross-contamination, such as sealing the testing area, grounding the testing equipment, and using protective clothing.

Material Sampling

For the Asbestos Management Survey, we take material samples by removing a small portion of the ACM and sending it to an accredited UKAS laboratory for analysis.

Dust Sampling

Dust sampling is helpful in assessing the risk of exposure to asbestos in a working environment. We collect dust samples on surfaces close to the source of the asbestos to determine the risk of exposure to asbestos particles.

Asbestos Testing Cost

The cost of an asbestos testing survey depends on the type of survey, the number of materials to be tested, and the size of the property or site. The survey duration may also have an impact on the cost. Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex offers a competitive pricing structure tailored to suit your needs and budget requirements.

Conclusion

Asbestos is a hazardous material that can cause significant health risks to humans. However, Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is an accredited asbestos testing company in Sussex that offers specialist asbestos testing and management services. We help you comply with legal requirements and ensure that any asbestos-containing materials are managed safely. If you suspect asbestos in your home or commercial property, contact us today for a professional asbestos testing service.

Our contact details:

• Phone: 01273 978238
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: affordable-asbestos-removal-sussex.co.uk