Fast And Effective Asbestos Material Testing

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that is mined out of the ground. It has been used extensively worldwide and put into thousands of products for its exceptional heat resistance and durability.

Asbestos is a Greek word meaning “inextinguishable” it has been used for thousands of years by many cultures including the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and throughout the Medieval era.

These civilisations used asbestos for its heat resistance and durability. The Greeks made table cloths and napkins woven from asbestos which were thrown into the fire to be cleaned. It was used for candle wicks and mummification wraps, ancient Scandinavians mixed it into their pottery for strength and in medieval times it was used as insulation in suits of armour.

In the last 200 years asbestos has been used predominantly in building materials which have been used extensively across the world. In the UK the use and supply of asbestos was banned in 1999, however it is still mined in some countries and continues to be used in many other parts of the world.

Asbestos materials present severe health risks when fibres become airborne and are inhaled. Exposure to these fibres can lead to significant health issues, including chronic respiratory conditions such as asbestosis and the development of aggressive forms of lung cancer like mesothelioma.

Prolonged exposure heightens the risk of lung cancer, particularly among individuals who smoke.

Identifying and properly managing asbestos containing materials are critical to prevent exposure and mitigate potential health hazards associated with asbestos.

At Pure Check, we understand the dangers associated with asbestos exposure. Our professional asbestos surveying, sampling and consultancy services are specifically designed to identify and address these risks, ensuring the safety and well being of occupants in buildings where asbestos may be present.

To test for asbestos, an asbestos survey or sampling should be carried out by a trained surveyor. The surveyor will take samples of any materials they suspect to contain asbestos. These samples are typically quite small, around the size of a fingernail. The samples are analysed in a UKAS accredited laboratory to test for the presence of asbestos fibres.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss asbestos surveying or sampling to find out which is the best option for your requirements.

An asbestos survey is crucial to identify the presence and condition of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in your property. It's essential for compliance with regulations and ensuring the safety of occupants, & maintenance staff.

Asbestos management surveys are a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises and communal areas of domestic premises.

Asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys are an essential requirement prior to the refurbishment or demolition of a building.

Asbestos re-inspection surveys are required on a regular basis to monitor the condition of asbestos materials.

Pure Check have the expertise to advise you on the right survey to meet your needs, meet legal requirements and keep you safe.

The cost of an asbestos survey can vary based on several factors, including the size and complexity of the property and the type of survey required. To provide an accurate cost estimate, we need to speak to you to understand your requirements.

As a guide a management asbestos survey to a 3 bed semi-detached house costs from £300. This price is for a full survey and report.

Our commitment is to offer transparent pricing and tailored solutions. We prioritise providing high quality services at competitive rates, ensuring that you receive the survey that is right for you at a fair price.

For a tailored cost estimate and to discuss your specific needs, we encourage you to contact us today. We're here to guide you through the process and provide comprehensive solutions that meet with your budget and requirements.

When Pure Check conducts an asbestos survey, our experienced surveyors meticulously examine every corner of your property. Our surveyors are trained to know what materials asbestos was used in and where these occur in a building. There is not a special machine that detects asbestos, it has to be visually identified and sampled where required.

Surveys start by drawing a floor plan of the building then proceed to visually inspecting all accessible areas of the property including, rooms, cupboards, lofts & externals. The surveyor identifies potential asbestos containing materials (ACMs), taking samples if necessary for analysis in UKAS accredited laboratories.

Refurbishment and demolition surveys may involve intrusive investigation which can include lifting floorboards and floor coverings, making holes in partition walls, opening up boxing and concealed voids.

Notes and photos are taken and recorded on an app, this allows us create a comprehensive report detailing the location, condition, and type of ACMs found. The report contains:

• Executive summary of all ACMs identified by the survey

• Floor plans which clearly locate any asbestos materials

• Photos of suspect and asbestos materials

• Risk assessments for any identified asbestos materials

• Appropriate management actions and recommendations such as encapsulation, removal, or ongoing monitoring.

• Sample analysis results certificate.

We prioritise safety throughout the survey, using protective equipment and following detailed survey and sampling methods. Our goal is to accurately assess the risk posed by ACMs, evaluating their condition and potential for disturbance. This information enables us to devise a tailored survey report, with appropriate management actions such and ensure a safe environment for occupants and contractors.

Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about what happens during an asbestos survey.

Not necessarily. At Pure Check, our priority is your safety and minimal disruption during the asbestos survey process. For most survey types, occupants can remain in the property while our surveyors conduct the inspection. You will need to move out of the room that the surveyor is in especially when samples are being taken. We take precautions to minimise any potential risks during the survey, ensuring that our procedures adhere to strict safety standards and regulations.

When a refurbishment survey is carried out the areas of the property to be refurbished ideally need to be empty of furnishings and items. However we understand that this is not always possible and will work with you to carry out the survey with minimal disruption.

When a demolition survey is carried out the property should be unoccupied and empty of items and furnishings. This enables a thorough survey to be conducted of all areas and helps to minimise caveats or restrictions on the survey that may cause delays later on in the project.

We aim to conduct surveys with the least disruption possible while maintaining a focus on safety and compliance throughout the process.