Leighanna Cumbie

Asbestos used in Building Materials

Asbestos was as a cheap insulating material in many different types of building materials.  Asbestos could be mixed with an adhesive and sprayed on to concrete to insulate between floors of a large building.  The flexible application of asbestos also allowed for its use in electrical wire insulation or in the glue that held down vinyl flooring.  The substance was effective for insulation purposes, but also has a long term health implication that has led to its ban.

Asbestos was as a cheap insulating material in many different types of building materials.  Asbestos could be mixed with an adhesive and sprayed on to concrete to insulate between floors of a large building.  The flexible application of asbestos also allowed for its use in electrical wire insulation or in the glue that held down vinyl flooring.  The substance was effective for insulation purposes, but also has a long term health implication that has led to its ban.

An Asbestos Inspector can test the various surfaces of your facility prior to starting the process of renovation and construction.  Multiple samples of each surface are typically taken and tested in a laboratory.  The results are then analyzed by the Asbestos Inspector to interpret the results.  Any positive test results must then be scrutinized for the most appropriate action.  Some situations allow for the asbestos to remain, while other circumstances require the asbestos to be immediately removed. 

Asbestos deemed safe to remain in place begins an ongoing process to notify the people working or occupying the immediate area of the presence of the asbestos.  The workers must be notified of where the asbestos is located and how to remain safe in the immediate area.  The Asbestos Inspector must then make periodic visits to ensure the asbestos is not being disturbed and creating a hazardous environment.

The immediate removal process is initially more costly, but removes the danger from the area to prevent the need for ongoing requirements.  The area is sealed off to prevent microscopic particles from disbursing to other areas of the facility and expanding the health hazard.  Specially trained workers would wear protective suits and face masks to ensure the asbestos did not contaminate their clothing or was inhaled.  Individually labeled bags would be utilized to ensure each bag is accounted for throughout the process. 

Click here to contact an Asbestos Inspector to ensure your facility is safe for remodeling or renovation.  Your company has a duty to protect the construction workers and future occupants of the space.  Asbestos can present long term health problems and the initial due diligence prior to starting a renovation project is to ensure the safety of the area.  The Asbestos Inspector can work with your company for the initial testing and make an appropriate recommendation of how to move forward with any asbestos found.  Take the first step towards safety today to ensure your facility remains safe.

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