The Importance of Asbestos Inspection

Imagine you are working in the late 19th century.  You use a relatively cheap material that is resistant to fire, chemical, and electrical damage.  The material also has great sound dampening qualities to boot.  You can mix this material with concrete to increase fire resistance in buildings or use the material in electrical wiring as insulation.  There is just one problem; a high level of exposure will result in your lungs ceasing to function and can cause cancer.  This is the problem that Asbestos Inspectors face every day.   Asbestos can be found in fireproof drywall, ceiling insulation, the lining of ceramic dishes, and in automotive brake pads.  The vast use of asbestos can be directly attributed to the affordability and desirable features of the material.  The reconstruction or demolition of buildings requires samples to be taken by a licensed Asbestos Inspector to ensure asbestos is not present and would not be released into the air, endangering lives.  Samples from each different type of material present must be taken due to the wide spread use.  Once the building is determined to contain asbestos, special care and precautions must be taken.  Often a management plan is written by a Licensed Asbestos Inspector to encompass all aspects of working with the asbestos.Asbestos work is divided into four categories.  Class I, the highest risk, includes the removal of asbestos.  Class II work encompasses removing asbestos that is not surfacing material or heat insulation.  Class III work is restoring areas that are likely to be moved by workers.  Finally, Class IV includes cleaning or maintenance work where employees touch, but do not disturb asbestos.  Each category requires the use of specialized equipment, procedures, and training to work safely in that environment.  The removal and cleanup of asbestos is a timely process that must be executed with precision.  One method for removing asbestos is the wet method.  This entails keeping the material wet during the removal of asbestos waste though the time that it loaded for transport, away from the site.  The cargo trucks must be dust and water tight to not allow the asbestos to escape.  The material can only be transported to an area that has been specially prepared for hazardous materials.  Based on the intrinsic nature outlined above, asbestos can be found in many different sizes and shapes due to the vast use across multiple industries.  Click hereto find a Licensed Asbestos Inspector in your area to sample and help determine your Asbestos needs.  Whether it involves renovating a building or tearing one down, special precautions must be taken to ensure everything is done to code and ensure workers safety.