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Asbestos testing is a routine part of asbestos management in non-domestic properties, and is necessary for dutyholders to meet the requirements of Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
Testing for asbestos confirms or denies its presence within suspected asbestos containing materials (ACMs). Testing is vital before any maintenance, refurbishment or demolition work to a non-domestic property where ACMs are suspected to be present.
In this guide, the experienced team at EMS Asbestos answers questions including: what is asbestos testing, how does it work and when is it required? As well as some common mistakes to avoid.
Keep reading to learn more or, to speak directly to an asbestos expert, call us now on 0800 358 1100.
Asbestos testing is used to prove or disprove the presence of asbestos within suspected ACMs. If your asbestos surveyor finds suspected ACMs during your asbestos survey, they may take samples and send them for laboratory testing. This is the recommended procedure under the Control of Asbestos Regulations and should be carried out in adherence with HSG248.
Testing is often necessary because not all ACMs can be reliably visually identified, requiring laboratory analysis. By reliably confirming or denying the presence of asbestos, asbestos testing helps to minimise the risk of ACMs being accidentally disturbed by contractors, occupants and maintenance teams.
Before it was banned in the UK in 1999, asbestos was used in a huge range of building materials. Because it was so widespread, any building constructed before 2000 could contain asbestos. Some common asbestos containing materials include:
Testing for asbestos is a carefully controlled process and should be carried out in accordance with HSG248 to ensure compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
The first step before asbestos testing is an asbestos survey. This is where a competent surveyor will inspect your building for any visual signs of ACMs within the structure, as well as their condition and appearance.
If potential ACMs are identified, your surveyor may indicate that testing is required. They will safely collect samples of the materials in question.
The samples are then sealed using specialist packaging and given a unique reference number. Details of where the sample was taken, the material type and the building are recorded to ensure a clear audit trail.
Samples from your building should be sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. Analysts in the laboratory will use microscopes to identify the presence of asbestos fibres.
If the analysts find asbestos fibres, they will also identify the type of asbestos as this can help inform appropriate management strategies.
Following the analysis, you will be provided with a detailed report. This will include information about whether asbestos was found, the type identified, the location the sample was taken from and any relevant management, remediation or removal steps.
Asbestos testing is a routine part of proper asbestos management, as laid out in HSG227 in order for dutyholders to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations. There are a number of occasions when testing is required, including:
Asbestos testing is a process that requires great care and highly trained surveyors and analysts. There are some common mistakes that are made when it comes to testing, such as:
Asbestos fibres are incredibly fine and were incorporated into such a wide variety of materials that identifying ACMs by sight alone is often impossible. For example, spotting asbestos in paint or asbestos in plaster can be difficult without scientific testing. Laboratory analysis is often the only way to determine whether a material contains asbestos.
Beginning refurbishment work without waiting for the results of your asbestos testing can lead to ACMs being accidentally disturbed. This puts the refurbishment contractors and any other building contractors at risk of exposure.
It is important to keep your asbestos register up to date and to conduct regular asbestos surveys. Older registers and surveys may not cover all necessary areas of your property and ACMs can deteriorate over time.
Collecting samples for asbestos testing is a potentially dangerous process. Without proper training, equipment and PPE, the sample collector risks putting themselves and other building occupants in harm’s way. They could also damage or spoil samples, making the test results less accurate.
Asbestos surveys and asbestos testing are linked, but they are separate processes. An asbestos survey involves visually inspecting a property for the presence of suspected ACMs. There are a few different types of asbestos survey, including asbestos management surveys, asbestos demolition surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos reinspection surveys, each designed to support a different stage of asbestos management. Asbestos testing is used to scientifically determine whether a suspected ACM includes asbestos.
Collecting asbestos samples without the proper training, equipment and PPE is highly inadvisable. You can put yourself and other building occupants at risk of fibre exposure, potentially causing serious health complications. You should always use a competent asbestos surveyor to collect samples and ensure the samples are sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.
Asbestos testing can take as little as 24 - 48 hours. Many laboratories also offer urgent same-day testing where necessary. For an accurate timeframe for your asbestos testing, contact our team today on 0800 358 1100.
The cost of asbestos testing will vary depending on how many samples need to be tested and whether the sampling is urgent. For an exact quote for your asbestos testing, get in touch with our team.
Yes. Asbestos testing is a key part of your role as a dutyholder to manage the risks of asbestos in your non-domestic property. It is your responsibility to identify and manage any ACMs within the structure of your property. Asbestos testing is a key part of identifying ACMs and is therefore a requirement.
After your asbestos testing is complete, you will be issued with comprehensive results. These will detail whether asbestos was found in the sample, what kind of asbestos was found, where the sample was taken and possibly any relevant management steps. Depending on the findings of your testing, you may need to seal or remove the material the sample was taken from.
Asbestos testing is a key part of ensuring effective, compliant asbestos management at your property. Because of its importance, commissioning professional testing at a UKAS-accredited laboratory is vital. Professional asbestos testing ensures:
At EMS Asbestos, we offer UK-wide professional asbestos testing. We have a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory at our Cardiff office and a range of locations across the UK. For more than 20 years, we have been providing dutyholders with everything they need to stay compliant. We offer complete asbestos consultancy support, from surveys and testing to management plans and non-licensed asbestos removals.
To book your asbestos survey or asbestos testing, call our team now on 0800 358 1100, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form.
