Due to asbestos toxicity, all building materials containing it must undergo testing and inspection before any construction or demolition activities. Due to this potentially costly process, hiring an accredited contractor is of utmost importance.
An asbestos inspection involves collecting samples of potentially suspect ACM/PACM before any permittable construction works are performed. When selecting an accredited and licensed asbestos inspection companies Adelaide, here are a few things you should look out for:
Qualifications
To become an asbestos inspector, an individual must receive training and pass the exam administered by accredited third parties. Once successful in passing their examinations, certification from their state must be acquired as they begin working as an asbestos inspector.
An accredited, licensed asbestos inspection companies Adelaide can perform several tests, including bulk samples for identification, air samples for clearance after abatement and dust samples for exposure assessments. They will produce an extensive report detailing whether asbestos is present and, if applicable, offer advice and suggest mitigation solutions.
Licenses
Asbestos is a highly hazardous material that poses serious health hazards when exposed to its minute fibres. Overexposure may lead to diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma; therefore, many local and state governments require asbestos inspections before undertaking construction or demolition work on any building.
Licensed asbestos inspection companies Adelaide professionals hold various licenses that reflect their job functions and services. Inspectors can conduct field and lab testing of suspect materials for asbestos content to confirm or deny its presence; pre-renovation/demolition inspections; bulk samples of suspected asbestos materials can also be collected for laboratory analysis.
Licensed managers can analyse the data from inspectors to assess and select responses most suited for managing asbestos in buildings, then develop schedules and implementation plans accordingly. Supervisors can oversee workers who abate regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM). Furthermore, post-abatement re-occupancy clearance inspections, final air clearance testing and area air sampling can all be conducted upon completion of an asbestos abatement project.
Experience
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre, commonly found in American homes for decades and used to make brake linings, electrical wiring insulation, cement and fabrics – to name a few products. Due to its heat-resistant qualities, it was often employed in fireproofing buildings or insulating homes from heat loss. Later, it was discovered that it can also cause health risks when inhaled directly. Unfortunately, it was discovered to be toxic and caused numerous health concerns when breathed in directly by humans.
Only licensed asbestos professionals are qualified to conduct an asbestos survey or hazard assessment of your building or structure, which involves identifying, evaluating and collecting bulk samples for testing purposes.
Before engaging in any renovation, demolition or construction work that could disturb suspected PACM, an asbestos inspection should be carried out. Furthermore, property owners often need an asbestos inspection before selling or leasing their properties. Trained professionals are available for asbestos testing through taping, micro-vacuuming and wiping to collect dust samples for analysis.
Insurance
Asbestos is a toxic mineral widely used in building materials to provide insulation, fire resistance and soundproofing properties. When disturbed, it releases microscopic asbestos fibres into the air that can be inhaled into one’s lungs, causing serious health risks.
Although most newly constructed homes do not contain asbestos, older structures could have it. An asbestos survey should be performed before any demolition, construction or renovation activity to detect its presence and provide a full report detailing all suspected asbestos-containing material, its location, amount, condition and friability status (meaning whether it can easily be broken down).
A building inspection is a systematic review of a work environment with the goal of identifying potential safety hazards. Identifying these hazards will put management teams in a better position to put controls and preventive and corrective actions in place.
There are several types of building inspections and hazard assessments that can be performed. These include pre-purchase and post-occupancy inspections, as well as a general maintenance inspection. Performing these inspections will help to ensure that your property is safe for you and your family to live in and that it will remain so throughout the lifetime of the building.