Asbestos Inspections

Various regulations stipulate specific numbers of samples be taken from each type of material based on square feet of area. For asbestos-containing material (ACM), this is in keeping policies in place.

For many projects, an on-site inspection can take as little as a couple of hours or, for larger buildings, multiple days. The inspector will need full access to every room and space in the building or return site visits may be needed. Following the site work, standard laboratory analysis typically entails 3 to 10 days, with rush (24-hour turnaround) or emergency turnaround times available for premium fees.

Without conducting extensive demolition during the inspection, there is always the potential that concealed suspect material is present within the enclosed wall, floor, ceilings, or mechanical spaces. This must be considered when it comes time to plan for abatement or demolition work, should any be required.

An area that often is overlooked when planning for inspections is a repair to sample locations. During an inspection, small pieces of material must be extracted from the building. This is typically ½” to 1” square of material per sample.

WHAT TYPES OF MATERIALS ARE SUSPECT AND REQUIRE SAMPLING? 

Asbestos was used in hundreds of different building materials, for example, floor tile, adhesives, ceiling tile, plaster, felt papers, gypsum board and joint compound, grout, caulking and glazing, fireproofing, thermal insulation, siding, roofing, and many other products. Although some types of asbestos were banned in building materials, there are still products that can be purchased today with asbestos present. Example would be brake pads. 

 asbestos may be required; however, if the material is in good condition, then it often doesn’t need to be disturbed.