ASBESTOS TESTING
asbestos testing and analysis
Asbestos Testing
From time to time, we get asked if a particular product contains asbestos. The simple answer is that without taking a sample and sending it to a specialist laboratory, your guess is as good as ours.
Asbestos has been widely used throughout the world in many different applications and whilst some products such as corrugated asbestos containing roof sheeting installed back in the 50's and 60's can normally be strongly presumed to contain asbestos, there are many other products that look similar that don't. For example the alternative non asbestos containing corrugated fibre cement boarding produced after asbestos was finally banned in the UK in 1999, once weathered looks very similar.
For this very reason, Ferncroft, not only recognise's your concerns, but also, that you may only require a particular product checking for the possibility of it containing asbestos.
Our fully trained and insured, asbestos surveying teams are on hand to attend your premises take a sample as required. All you have to do is give us a call and we will do the rest.
Once we have taken the sample, we package it in two ziplok style bags, label and send it to a UKAS Accredited testing facility across in the UK. The reason for this is that there are no UKAS accredited labs on island.
The lab results will only advise if there is asbestos present in the sample taken and some type of materials containing asbestos can only be removed by licensed contractors, for materials such as soffits and garage ceilings etc.
You may have to have it water absorption tested also to clearly define whether it requires removal by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.
In general terms undamaged asbestos containing cement sheeting is classified as non licensable and asbestos insulation board (AIB) licensable and notifiable to the Health and Safety Inspectorate at DEFA
A Typical Asbestos Testing lab used for Analysis
What is involved in Testing
Testing basically involves a sample of the suspect material being taken, placed into sealed container, labelled and taken to a UKAS accredited laboratory for determination under controlled conditions.
Here the sample is microscopically checked for containing fibres, which if present and using a series of stain dispersion techniques the fibres are then analysed under polarised light for determination.
A bit like checking for DNA.
When the fibres are mounted in a refractive index liquid, unique to the type of asbestos being checked and then placed under a microscope under polarised light, the asbestos if present is identified.
Each type of asbestos has a different refractive liquid, unique to its identity, which is how they identify the type present
Once the results of the samples are known we report back with the independent and impartial findings.
How long does the testing take
Generally, samples take approximately 5 - 7 days to turn around from receipt of them. Obviously if we take the samples we would have them and would take care of the whole process.
Samples not taken by us would need to be placed into a suitable container, (i.e self seal poly bags) clearly labelled and then placed into a second container and sealed.
Please be mindful that we live on an island, and when the boat doesn't sail, then the post can be delayed taking a little longer to receive the lab results.
Can I take my own Samples?
We get asked this all the time, and our answer is always the same, asbestos is a known human carcinogen, which is perfectly safe when left undisturbed, without breakage, however once the fibres become airborne, then the potential risk of exposure is a possibility. The UK Health and safety Executive (HSE) advise that you can take the samples yourself providing it is already broken off and that there is no risk of spreading the debris or exposing yourself to the dust. Whist it may not appear to be difficult to take samples, please remember that at Ferncroft, our surveyors are fully trained, insured and provided with the correct personal protective disposable overalls and respirator for the task.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
Sampling asbestos materials
Sampling does not require an asbestos licence.
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If it has already broken off, you can take the sample yourself if there is no risk of spreading debris or exposing yourself to dust.
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Watch where you walk!
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Dampen the sample
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Place it in a self-sealing polythene bag
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Put this in a second self-sealing bag.
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Label it.
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Make arrangements for analysis by a UKAS accredited asbestos-testing laboratory.
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WATER ABSORPTION TESTING
You can't always tell whether a material is cement or AIB, without further testing. The mechanism used to determine what the materiel is, is called 'Water Absorption Testing.
Its a test that takes a coupe of days to dry out the sample and then check to see how much water it absorbs.
< 30% - Cement Product
> 30% - Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB)
In layman's terms a cement product is non licensable, whereas, AIB requires removal by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.