An Asbestos free certificate, or ‘Asbestos Free Building Certificate’ as it is sometimes known, is a document that certifies that a particular building, material, or product does not contain Asbestos, the hazardous material commonly used in construction and manufacturing.
This certificate is often required:
For buildings: To confirm that the structure or specific areas of a building do not have Asbestos, particularly before renovations, demolitions, or property sales. This may be a requirement of local authority prior to demolition to ensure that all Asbestos materials have been abated before the building is razed to the ground.
For products: To guarantee that a product, such as insulation, tiles, or fireproofing materials, is free from Asbestos, which is crucial in industries where Asbestos was historically used, like construction or shipbuilding. These certificates may be reviewed prior to construction or maintenance to ensure that Asbestos is not being installed in to a new structure/vessel, or one that is undergoing renovation.
In occupational health and safety: It assures employees, contractors, and occupants that the space they work or live in is safe from Asbestos exposure, reducing the risk of Asbestos-related diseases.
Obtaining an Asbestos-Free Certificate involves a systematic process to ensure that a building or material is free from Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs). The general steps are as follows:
1. Engage a Certified Asbestos Inspector: Hire a professional accredited to conduct Asbestos inspections. In the United States, this requires completing training approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state with an EPA-approved program. In the Middle East, the inspector should be authorised by the relevant local authority for example such as an Asbestos Supervising Consultant (ASC) registered at the local or Federal level.
2. Conduct a Comprehensive Inspection: The inspector will perform a thorough assessment of the property or material, identifying potential ACMs. This includes visual inspections and collecting samples from various locations.
3. Laboratory Analysis of Samples: The collected samples are sent to a laboratory accredited by the appropriate authority such as the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) or the United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) organisation, for analysis to determine the presence of asbestos fibres.
4. Review Inspection Report: Based on the laboratory results, the inspector compiles a detailed report outlining the findings. If no Asbestos is detected, the report will state that the inspected areas are Asbestos-free. Be sure to check for any caveats or exclusions within the report. If Asbestos materials are present these will need to be abated before a certificate can be issued.
5. Issuance of Asbestos-Free Certificate: If the inspection confirms the absence of Asbestos, the accredited professional or inspection company issues an Asbestos-Free Certificate, officially declaring the property or material free from asbestos.
The process of obtaining an Asbestos-Free Certificate is essential to ensure the safe refurbishment and demolition of buildings. Furthermore, when importing or exporting vehicles and vessels across jurisdictions, this certificate plays a key role in facilitating smooth transit.
It's important to note that regulations and certification requirements can vary by country and region. Therefore, it's advisable to consult local environmental or occupational health authorities to ensure compliance with specific legal requirements in your area.
If you have any Asbestos related concerns, contact us to see how Anthesis Consulting Middle East can help you:
Charles Faulkner (Head of Environment, Health and Safety, and Asbestos Team Leader)
Phone: +971 (0) 50 5541 320
Email: asbestos@anthesisgroup.com