Long back when building products related to asbestos were introduced to the market, they were welcomed with open arms because of the many benefits they brought with them. It is cheap, fire retardant, waterproof, and it an excellent insulating product. Moreover, asbestos finds application everywhere. But every bright side has its darker effects too and so it is with asbestos. Soon the dangers related to asbestos were discovered, and they could not be ignored. Asbestos is of types firable and non-firable.
Friable asbestos is the one that comes in powder form. If not, it can still be easily crumbled or otherwise allowed to become airborne while non-friable asbestos is the one that is bonded it safer as long as it is left undisturbed. But the minute you start drilling or cutting into it, deadly asbestos fibers start releasing into the air and create hazardous pollution. Therefore, the government started taking essential steps to limit and finally eliminate the use of asbestos.
Asbestos Clearance Certificate
Non-friable asbestos is safe if left undisturbed. Therefore, health officials saw no reason for ordering the demolition of the buildings that contained such asbestos. But strict regulations were introduced because of the dangers that came along with the removal of asbestos.
Some of the regulations regarding Asbestos Clearance Certificate are mentioned below:
- The removal of asbestos must be carried out only by a licensed asbestos removal company.
- Asbestos clearance inspection is a must after removing the asbestos.
- The inspecting officer must carry out a visual inspection of the property with the help of the air monitoring equipment. This will ensure asbestos fibers have not been released into the environment.
- If the asbestos is removed as per the required guidelines, the property passes the inspection and is issued an Asbestos Clearance Certificate.
Types of Asbestos Removal Licenses
The guideline related to Asbestos Removal Licenses
Mentions that a clearance inspection is required for both non-friable and friable asbestos removal. It also states that Clearance certificates must only be issued by a ‘competent person who is either class A Asbestos Assessor or class B assessor and he should be an independent removalist.
Class A – license: As already mentioned friable asbestos is the most dangerous asbestos. Therefore, great care must be used in its removal. It also requires workers to wear protective clothing during the entire process. Seeing the dangers, the Asbestos removalists working with the friable asbestos must hold “Class A” licenses.
Class B – license: The person who inspects non-firable asbestos should hold class B license as its removal is less risky.
The person who carries out the inspection should not be involved directly with the removal of the asbestos or with the business or undertaking in charge of asbestos removal.
Still every year many people are diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses; it also includes children. It was only late 90’s when asbestos use was majorly banned. Nowadays, people who suffer asbestosis and other lung diseases is merely because they are unaware, they are working or living in a place that contains asbestos. It is not an easy task to remove this dangerous product as it can have deadly consequences. No one should take chances with asbestos.
If you doubt that there’s a possibility of asbestos in the building, you are living or working contact a licensed asbestos inspector and have it inspected and then get it removed by experts. To save yourself from the brunt of legal proceedings and penalty, it is imperative that one must take the Asbestos Clearance Certificate after the process is complete.
My husband and I want to buy an older house in our neighborhood, so I wanted advice on tests we need to get done beforehand. I didn’t know to get an Asbestos Clearance Certificate, the removal needs to be done by a licensed company. I’ll have to keep that in mind, so our new house is safe for our pets and family, thanks to this post!
It’s great to know that air monitoring equipment would be used for asbestos inspections. I’m planning to buy a new house in a neighborhood with much less air pollution for the benefit of my asthmatic child. Doing everything I can to make sure that she can breathe without any problems is my priority.
https://www.justpropertyinspections.net.au/asbestos-inspections