Once celebrated for its fire-resistant qualities, asbestos is an outdated building material that has been phased out for its toxic effects on humans. A licensed professional is hired to assess older residential buildings and commercial constructions, using different methods to measure asbestos levels and recommend countermeasures to lower these levels. From safeguarding health to protecting investments, this blog highlights the significance of asbestos inspections and how exactly they are conducted.
Understanding Asbestos Inspections: Types & Techniques
From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was widely used in building materials for its durability and fire-resistant features, being considered ideal for insulation. It was later banned, however, due to serious health hazards. Today, asbestos inspection is conducted to identify ACM, take them away for testing, and recommend management plans for health and well-being. A typical asbestos inspection goes something like this:
- Initial Assessment: Professionals go over building plans and carefully assess and isolate suspect materials carrying asbestos.
- Sampling: any suspected material, like insulation, window caulking, or roof tiles, is extracted for further testing.
- Lab Testing: Next, the samples are sent to certified laboratories that use special machinery to ascertain the presence and levels of asbestos in them.
- Reporting: Finally, all the findings, including locations, materials, and asbestos levels are recorded into reports that are then shared with property owners and authorities.
Types Of Asbestos Inspections
Now that you have a better understanding of the process, let’s take a brief look at the different types of asbestos inspections.
- Asbestos Screening: This is done when repairs are being made. A sample of the damaged material is taken to a lab and assessed for potential asbestos presence. This type of asbestos inspection is also known as a transactional inspection.
- Limited Asbestos Survey: This is a more detailed inspection of certain building material, such as the roof, wall, or a section of a siding. It only targets specific areas.
- Path of Construction Inspection: Up next, this type of inspection is limited to the path of construction during renovation projects. It is crucial to ensure asbestos fibers won’t be released into the air as renovation begins.
- Pre-demolition Asbestos Survey: finally, this is the most comprehensive type of asbestos inspection, assessing everything from roof to siding to floors and more. It utilizes a destructive sampling protocol to ensure that a building demolition won’t harm the surrounding environment.
The Significance Of Asbestos Inspection: Benefits & Importance
Alright, so that’s all about what an asbestos inspection is, how it is conducted, and how many types there are. But why exactly go to all that trouble in the first place? From legal requirements to health protection, here is why asbestos inspection is so important.
Read along to learn the importance of asbestos inspection.
Accurate Detection
As previously established, asbestos can’t be detected through smell or sight alone. A detailed inspection, conducted by licensed inspectors, is required to correctly identify and quantify asbestos levels in any suspect material.
Safeguarding Health
Asbestos is known as the silent killer, and for good reason. Asbestos fibers can cause issues like lung cancer and mesothelioma, resulting in hefty medical bills and death. A comprehensive inspection is needed to identify the issue on time and save lives.
Asbestos Management
The only way to know if you need to manage or seal off your asbestos problem is to conduct testing in the first place. Asbestos inspectors recommend different techniques to bring high asbestos levels under control after the inspection results come in.
Safety Precautions During Renovation & Demolition
Disturbing or damaging asbestos-containing materials or ACM can lead to health hazards for construction workers as well as homeowners. By conducting inspections, ACM is identified, resulting in careful handling and disposal.
Legal & Insurance Compliance
For any kind of construction work, scheduling inspections is a legal requirement. Not complying could violate insurance policies and cost you heavy fines.
Informed Real Estate Decision
Finally, in case you’re selling or purchasing a property, an asbestos inspection report lets you know exactly what you’re getting into, letting you make informed real estate decisions.
Conclusion
To conclude, asbestos is an odorless and invisible fiber naturally present in older building materials. An asbestos inspection is conducted by identifying potential ACM, lab testing, and detailed reports that identify the presence of asbestos fibers and the best way to manage them. The reason it is so important is that it safeguards health, ensures legal compliance, and lets property owners make informed real estate decisions.
FAQs
What is the cost of an asbestos inspection?
Depending on your location, the number of samples, the size of your property, and the type of inspection, the cost ranges between $230 and $780
How often should I schedule asbestos inspections?
You should schedule them before renovation and demolition, and every 1-3 years to be safe.
How long does an asbestos inspection take?
The inspection itself takes a few hours to a day, while the results add another few days to a week.