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Exposure to asbestos is a serious issue you cannot take lightly. This hazardous material poses enormous health and safety hazards that can cause irreparable damage to those exposed to it. To ensure the safety of occupants, it is crucial to manage or eliminate asbestos as quickly as possible. If your building needs an asbestos identification, an industrial hygiene consulting firm will conduct the inspection process.
Depending on the results of the asbestos inspection, it may call for the safe removal or in-place management of the asbestos. In addition, it is crucial that the inspection firm is independent and not affiliated with any abatement contracting companies hired to conduct asbestos removal work. Taking these steps can ensure the safety and well-being of all occupants and prevent long-term health hazards.
What Is An Asbestos Survey?
The dangers of asbestos exposure are well-known, and identifying its presence in building materials is a crucial step in preventing health risks. However, simply relying on a visual inspection may not be enough to determine the presence or absence of asbestos fibers accurately.
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An asbestos survey or asbestos screening is necessary to ensure that a building is free from this harmful mineral. This involves taking a sample of the material in question and analyzing it in a laboratory to identify and quantify the asbestos fibers present accurately. Only through these means can we be confident that we are protecting ourselves and others from the risks associated with asbestos exposure.
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When Should You Have An Asbestos Inspection?
When dealing with commercial real estate transactions or building renovations, it’s crucial to ensure proper due diligence to protect property owners and future occupants from potential harm. This is where an asbestos survey comes into play.
Despite the ban on asbestos insulation, many products still contain the harmful substance, and it’s crucial to identify and remove all asbestos-containing materials (ACM) before any demolition or renovation work begins. In addition, with the increased frequency of natural disasters and flood damage, it’s more important than ever to ensure that buildings are safe for occupancy. Obtaining an asbestos survey can help identify potential hazards and mitigate potential harm to those who live or work in the building.
Who Should Conduct An Asbestos Survey?
When it comes to choosing an asbestos inspection firm, there are certain things that simply cannot be overlooked. One of these is having enough experience to adequately perform environmental testing services with confidence and accuracy. This is only possible if the firm has the right licensing and training.
But perhaps even more important than experience and training is having the proper professional liability insurance coverage. Without it, any mistakes made during the inspection process could be catastrophic, and the owner would have little to no recourse for damages. So, with so much at stake, ensure that any asbestos inspection firm you engage has this key insurance coverage in place.
The Asbestos Inspection Process
Asbestos testing is a critical process that should be done regularly in any building space that has the potential for asbestos-containing materials. The process involves a thorough visual inspection of the affected area, where all suspected materials are inventoried. Then, a bulk sample extraction is carried out and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the analysis determine the presence of asbestos fibers in the sample.
The laboratory findings are used to recommend what the next steps should be. The survey reporting stage is where the property owner gets the results and can then take the necessary steps to protect their occupants and the environment from the hazards of asbestos. It is essential that the testing process is thorough to minimize the risk of exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos Survey Report
An asbestos survey report is a crucial document for any site that has the potential for asbestos-containing materials. It should include key information such as the surveyor’s name, a summary of the survey, details about the site, and the survey date, scope, methodology, and main findings. Additionally, the report should provide detailed information regarding the laboratory that performed the sample analysis and any relevant data that pertains to the site.
Asbestos Survey Timeline
When it comes to asbestos inspection for building projects, timing is everything. The length of an on-site inspection can vary widely, depending on the size of the building and the extent of the suspected asbestos-containing materials. In some cases, a couple of hours is all the inspector needs to do an assessment, but for larger buildings, they may require multiple days. And it’s not just a matter of getting in and out as quickly as possible—the inspector needs full access to every room and space to ensure they don’t miss anything.
Once the on-site work is complete, laboratory analysis is required, which typically takes anywhere from 3 to 10 days. However, for those who need results sooner, rush or emergency turnaround times are available for an additional cost. Regardless of the timeline, the importance of asbestos inspection cannot be understated, as early detection can save lives.
EnviroMavens: Health And Safety Services
Asbestos and mold infestations are some of the most dangerous threats to the air quality of commercial structures in Tennessee and Alabama. Whether you run a healthcare facility, educational institution, or corporate building, it is pivotal to prioritize the health and safety of your employees and visitors.
At EnviroMavens, we provide top-notch industrial hygiene services to businesses seeking to mitigate the health hazards of toxic air contaminants. With a team of certified professionals, we pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled testing and sanitation solutions to detect and eliminate the threat of mold and asbestos from your indoor air quality. Do not wait until your air quality becomes a problem. Contact us today to schedule our comprehensive testing and sanitation services.
Sources:
How long does asbestos testing take?
https://www.pscleanair.gov/DocumentCenter/View/373/Asbestos-Survey-Guidance-PDF?bidId=
