The Importance of Commercial Roofing Contractors for Asbestos Abatement

Sep 11,2018

There are a number of buildings that were built before the mid 1980’s that have asbestos, which was sprayed as a thermal, flame retardant material to prevent fires in places where firefighters have a difficult time reaching, such as in ceilings, technical ducts, and in small spaces.

Typically, asbestos was flocked onto these surfaces. This means it was comprised of many tiny fibre particles. Unfortunately, the use of asbestos was banned due to the particles becoming dislodged, and people breathing them in. This has caused various cancers and a number of serious and life threatening health issues in a large number of individuals. For the most part, asbestos is not dangerous unless the particles come loose and they are breathed in.

Asbestos abatement should be performed by a qualified team once the material has been tested and confirmed as asbestos that is posing a threat. This is particularly important during demolition when particles can easily become dislodged.

How Asbestos is removed from commercial and residential buildings

The removal of asbestos should only be performed by a team who is trained and experienced. The team should also have liability insurance, and be lead by a manager or supervisor who has certifications or designations, to prove training in asbestos abatement has been acquired. The equipment to be used should also go through routine and rigorous testing to ensure the effectiveness and safety of machinery and tools.

The area that is being treated will be closed off to ensure that any particles that come loose will not come in contact with any employees or residents in the building.  This is accomplished through negative air pressure machines and filters, which allow fresh air into the area being worked on, but keep the asbestos particles in the contaminated area. This process is essential for preventing contamination in other areas. When asbestos particles are dislodged they are light and float, so they can stay in the air for up to three days. This is why it is critical to the success of the service that the area is sealed off and that no one enters that is not part of the removal team.

During the procedure no one but the qualified specialists will be able to enter the area. It is advised that notices are circulated before the day of the asbestos abatement, to guarantee that everyone is aware of the procedure taking place, and does not require access to the affected area.

A special vacuum is used to contain the asbestos particles. This vacuum has a HEPA filter, which stands for high-efficiency particulate absorber. A normal vacuum is not effective at removing asbestos, even if it has a HEPA filter.

Book an Assessment for Asbestos Abatement

In some cases, asbestos may not need to be removed, especially in floor tiles where particles will not come loose. In other cases, the contaminated area can be enclosed or encapsulated. The best way to find out what your building requires is to have an inspection performed by our team of asbestos abatement specialists. Contact us anytime to book an inspection and assessment for your residential or commercial building.