Asbestos Surveys Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos was a widely used building material before the 1980’s when the ill side effects of prolonged exposure to asbestos were found. Asbestos once it starts deteriorating is almost impossible to destroy and the asbestos fibers are so minute and not visible to the human eye. These asbestos fibers when inhaled in large quantities due to prolonged exposure can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis and other such chronic diseases. Treatments for these vary from medications to radiotherapy and even chemotherapy is required at times. The sufferer has frequent coughs and rapid breaths when he walks or climbs stairs. Only after these symptoms the asbestos problem is found usually and by that time it becomes too late for quick recovery of health. Asbestos surveys are a must to ensure there is no harmful asbestos fiber present at the home and the surrounding areas. During the survey both of commercial and private property a detailed examination of the whole structure is carried out by asbestos surveyors who make a detailed report on the materials containing asbestos in them and help carry out proper asbestos disposal procedures. While renovating or demolishing building it is mandatory by the health department law that a proper survey by professionals be carried out. If such procedures are violated then serious actions like not granting building permit or stopping the construction process will have to be done.

The asbestos materials when in the inert form are not harmful. But when the outer protective layers are damaged they start releasing the harmful asbestos fiber into the air which is not destructible by the outside environmental forces and not visible to the human eye which makes it difficult to detect them. There is no way a person can tell if the tile or wall in his house contains asbestos just by looking at it. This is where asbestos surveys come in handy as the survey is carried out based on laboratory results which are the only way to find out the presence of these asbestos fibers. The asbestos surveyor analysis the building based on the building plans, the materials used during construction and possible areas where asbestos might have been used. Then he carries out sample tests of all the materials and sends them to the laboratory to get to know how harmful the material is to determine how the material must be removed. As inhalation and ingestion are the major phenomenon how the asbestos fibers enter the body it is mandatory that the person wear protective masks that filter out the asbestos fiber. The fibers tend to stick to the clothes so proper outer wear must be worn during demolition or removal of the asbestos material

Asbestos surveys list out the materials that contain asbestos in the building, which are all damaged, the level of damage in them, materials which are friable meaning they pose a greater risk as mere hand pressure pulverizes and releases the asbestos fiber into the air. So the friable asbestos has to be handled very carefully. The non friable asbestos is usually not harmful but in case of a demolition they also become friable and so must be removed prior to destruction. There are concealed materials like in the cooling system, heating system, roof linings, sidings, boiler pipes, pipe lines, sewage lines where asbestos might be found. These are places where it is difficult to find and remove the asbestos. Proper planning is a must to make sure all areas are covered. The survey must list out all the possible places of presence of asbestos and also the methods that can be used to remove it. It must be in terms which the resident or the corporate company can understand for better cooperation from them.

There are in general three types of asbestos surveys being carried out. Type one survey is the location and assessment pre survey. This is done to first locate the places where asbestos is found. Type two surveys is the standard sampling and assessment survey. This is done to make sure the area contains asbestos and also get an awareness of the amount of asbestos in it. This will help during the removal phase as the proper measures to be followed can be prepared before doing it actually. The third survey is the full sampling and assessment survey which has to be done in case demolition is needed. The type of asbestos survey needed and the report varied with the individual needs. This means the survey carried out for the building in general in not enough for the demolition plans. For the demolition purpose a much more detailed plan with good specifications has to be there. Usually a mixture of the three survey methods brings out a better plan for better asbestos disposal.

The asbestos material has to be submerged inside soapy water solution and this had to be placed inside plastic bags which are heavy duty ones. There has to be at least a minimum of four layers on the outside and these bags have to be properly tied. This is all necessary to avoid leaking of the asbestos fibers into the air during transportation. Then the asbestos garbage is disposed off at land mills which accept asbestos disposal. The asbestos is buried inside the soil from where the asbestos fiber getting out into the atmosphere is controlled. During the disposal proper handling methods have to be carried out. Inhalation chances are very high when the asbestos material is taken apart and so protective masks are a must. For asbestos surveyors who are frequently in contact with the asbestos fibers there has to be proper training imparted on the proper handling and disposal methods. Buildings which do not go for professional asbestos surveys and removal before demolition will be stopped from further construction and the license of the building constructor might be barred. There are many law suits filed related to asbestos exposure and it is now made mandatory by law to make use of asbestos surveying companied properly to reduce the chances of ill health effects due to the asbestos fibers.