- Asbestos Identification & Survey Inspections
- Asbestos Surveys - Pre Demolition
- Asbestos Clearance Inspections & Certificates
- Asbestos Register & Management Plans
- Asbestos Testing
- Asbestos Safety Equipment & PPE
- Asbestos Assessments (Insurance & damage)
- Asbestos Air Monitoring
- Contaminated Soil Sampling & Testing
We help minimise the RISK
Our consultants share a passion for asbestos management & safety. We help minimise the risk by providing expert advice at home or the office. Today many properties still contain asbestos in some form, this is where our highly experienced asbestos consultants will inform and guide homeowners and businesses in the right direction. We provide an independent service specialising in asbestos. Our consultants are available 24/7, are certified, experienced and are insured for 1 million Professional Indemnity & 5 million Public Liability by Lloyds of London. We service the Sydney, Northern Beaches, Illawarra & South Coast regions. Call today or send us an email, we can help YOU make an informed decision with your asbestos and building issues.
We Add Value by our ability to meet our clients needs both in price and reliability
- 1 in 3 Australian properties contain asbestos
- A property that was built before 1989 will likely contain asbestos
- Safely managing asbestos before or during any refurbishment works will protect your family & workers from harmful exposure
- Inspection & testing could save you money as there are high costs associated with removal of asbestos containing material
- Inspection & testing will let you know in advance the location of any asbestos and recommendations for its safe management
- When purchasing a property information regarding asbestos located in the property can be used to negotiate a lower price
- Asbestos has been found in imported products even though its illegal to import asbestos products into Australia since 2003
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a term for a group of six naturally occurring mineral fibres belonging to two groups:
Serpentine Group – comprised of only chrysotile (white asbestos)
Amphibole Group – comprised of anthophyllite, amosite (brown asbestos or grey asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), tremolite, and actinolite.
Asbestos was long viewed as one of the most versatile minerals because of its flexibility, tensile strength, insulation from heat and electricity, chemical inertness and affordability.
The versatility of asbestos made it attractive to many industries and is thought to have more than 3000 applications worldwide. Australia was one of the highest users per capita in the world up until the mid-1980s. Approximately one third of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos products. The widespread use of asbestos has left a deadly legacy of asbestos material.
Asbestos, predominantly chrysotile and crocidolite, was mined in Australia until late 1984. Records also show that between 1930 and 1983, approximately 1.5 million tonnes of all forms of asbestos was imported into Australia.
Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can be categorised as friable and non-friable. Non-friable asbestos, where it is mixed with other materials like cement, is the type most commonly found in our built environment. Friable asbestos is more likely to become airborne.
Both friable and non-friable asbestos pose a significant health risk to all workers and others if the materials are not properly maintained or removed carefully. In the built environment, potential health risks are posed where there is:
the presence of ambient levels of asbestos
weathering of ACMs
the presence of damaged ACMs
building and/or maintenance work involving ACMs and
demolition and/or removal of ACMs.
The risk of exposure from the built environment is broad, with the potential to impact the entire Australian community.
Asbestos in the home
Approximately one third of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos products. As a general rule, if your house was built before the mid-1980s, it is highly likely that it would have some asbestos containing materials. If your house was built between the mid-1980s and 1990, it is likely that it would have asbestos containing materials. If your house was built after 1990, it is unlikely that it would have asbestos containing materials.
The use of ACMs in the home has been extensive and there are many areas in the home where ACMs can be found including (but not limited to):
roof sheeting, ridge & barge capping
guttering
gables, eaves,
Internal wet areas including laundry,
bathroom, kitchen & toilet
water pipes, downpipes and flues
wall sheeting (flat or a weatherboard style
vinyl sheet flooring
carpet and tile underlays
zelemite backing boards to the switchboards
flexible building boards
imitation brick cladding
fencing, carports and sheds
waterproof membranes
telecommunications pits
some window putty
expansion joints
packing under beams
packing in window and door jambs
concrete formwork
Built in cupboards, pantry, linen cupboards
roof insulation boards, roof insulation
The Asbestos Awareness website contains images and resources showing what asbestos looks like as per the list above. Asbestosawareness.com.au
It is not possible to determine whether a material contains asbestos by simply looking at it. The only way to be sure is to get a sample of the material tested by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory but if one is not readily available, there are other laboratories that provide similar testing services.
EXCELBUILDING INSPECTIONS