Asbestos surveys and analysis

Localised (Specified or Targeted) Refurbishment Asbestos Surveys

A localised refurbishment asbestos survey is carried out where refurbishment or maintenance works are planned within a specific, defined area of a building and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) may be disturbed.

The survey follows the same intrusive principles as a refurbishment survey but is strictly limited to the areas affected by the planned works. All other areas of the building are excluded from the survey scope and are not inspected.

Intrusive and destructive inspection techniques are used as necessary within the defined area only, to locate and describe ACMs as far as reasonably practicable.

This type of survey is suitable where works such as removal of partition walls, ceiling alterations, or localised maintenance are planned and where the scope of works can be clearly defined in advance.

Localised (Specified or Targeted) Demolition Asbestos Surveys

A localised demolition asbestos survey is required where demolition works are planned to a specific part of a building or structure, rather than full demolition of the entire premises.

The survey is fully intrusive within the defined demolition area only and is designed to identify and describe all ACMs present in that area, as far as reasonably practicable. Areas outside the defined demolition scope are not included in the survey and are not inspected.

This type of survey is appropriate where partial demolition is planned and the demolition boundary can be clearly identified.

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  Survey and Sampling Accreditations

Westland Environmental Safety Ltd is a UKAS-accredited inspection body for asbestos surveying, operating in accordance with ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection activities.

In addition, Westland Environmental Safety Ltd is a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory (Accreditation No. 7567) for asbestos bulk sampling and subsequent fibre identification.

All asbestos analysis is carried out in strict accordance with our in-house documented Quality Management System, which is based on HSE guidance HSG 248 – Asbestos: The Analysts’ Guide for Sampling, Analysis and Clearance Procedures.

In accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), it is a legal requirement that laboratories undertaking asbestos fibre identification are accredited to the appropriate international standards. Westland Environmental Safety Ltd meets these requirements through UKAS accreditation for both inspection (surveying) and testing activities.

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  How we identify asbestos fibres

• We conduct a preliminary visual examination of the bulk sample – using a stereomicroscope at X 10- X 40 magnification to assess for fibres & fibre bundles
• Sample treatment is undertaken (if required) to release or isolate fibres
• Representative fibres are mounted in appropriate Refractive Index liquids on glass microscope slides
• The different fibrous components are identified using Polarised Light Microscopy (PLM) and dispersion staining techniques at a magnification of X 100 or greater.
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  What do you need to know?

Upon request, we accept specific site bulk sampling conducted by competent personnel who operate in accordance with our in-house documented quality management system.

Also, we welcome submitted samples to our laboratory by surveyors, consultants and asbestos removal contractors.