Asbestos: analysis, expert reports and remediation planning
Asbestos products in older real estate are often not recognisable at first glance; in concrete spacers, wall plaster, screed or filler, for example. WESSLING supports you with specialist expert reports and analysis as well as consulting.
Up until the beginning of the nineties, several 100,000 tonnes of asbestos, particularly asbestos sheets, were used in Germany for the construction of real estate both in the private sector, in industrial buildings and in public buildings such as schools. Asbestos can also enter the ground or recycled material unnoticed via construction rubble. The health risks of this substance, which is now banned in Europe, did not become clear until later on. In the light of this, the assessment criteria for asbestos contamination were intensified, so that the need for analysis still remains high. At the same time, existing buildings are being developed more intensively than ever before.
Asbestos remediation: services in detail
Asbestos remediation: services in detail
Asbestos in screed
Asbestos in screed
Asbestos fibres were added to some magnesite screeds and wood concrete screeds into the nineties. Work safety measures therefore have to be taken into consideration in the case of severe damage and during all construction work.
Magnesia and magnesium chloride form a quick-hardening, cement-like mass that can be used as screed in permanently dry areas. Its suitability as an industrial screed with elastic properties is achieved using wood fibres (stone-wood screed).
However, asbestos fibres were also used between the sixties to the nineties. These wood fibre screeds can have very different appearances. Some can be seen to contain fibres with the naked eye, whereas others only reveal isolated, minute wood contents and provide no indication of asbestos. With very little effort, however, they can be checked for asbestos fibres using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Firmly bound asbestos fibre products are only conditionally subject to mandatory remediation
Like all other floor coverings containing asbestos, little attention is usually paid to polluted floors. As firmly bound asbestos fibre products, they are not subject to mandatory remediation as long as they are not affected by construction measures or extensive destruction. Suitable or even alternative solution options are always available for any plant situation. Ongoing production can also be maintained without the need to increase costs
Asbestos remediation: services in detail
Asbestos in plaster and filler
Asbestos in fine plaster and filler
The use of fillers and wall paints containing asbestos, i.e. fine plaster, in buildings between 1960 and 1990 has often been underestimated. However, the extent of the findings indicates how important this information is. WESSLING develops inexpensive sampling strategies adapted to the project for asbestos and fine plaster, and supports you in measure planning, invitations to tender and execution under consideration of safety and health protection.
The fillers containing asbestos are found in thin layers and are usually concealed by several surface layers. However, they may also be covered by structural plaster and wall paints containing asbestos. Their use within a room changes unsystematically from one partial surface to another.
It should not be forgotten that the fillers were used to fill holes, joints and cracks. The usual search criteria fails here. Prefabricated constructions are currently the central focus of the findings. As knowledge of the situation increases, it is becoming clear that identification in good time is essential in the case of all construction projects.
How the occurrence of asbestos can increase demolition costs
The economic aspect must also not be underestimated, as the example of a student residence shows: due to the occurrence of asbestos, demolition costs increased from €270,000 to over €750,000 - not including follow-on costs. This aspect also affects many real estate transfers which have been already completed.
At this point, the WESSLING experts advise you in regards to the planning and execution of remediation strategies and ensure that conversion, remediation and dismantling work proceeds smoothly.
Our services:
- Project- and needs-based analysis strategies
- Inspection, sampling and analytical determination of materials containing asbestos
- Evaluation of the results with reference to the planned work or the use of the real estate
- Remediation planning and monitoring of remediation work
- Waste management
- Authorities management
Our services for your industry
WESSLING provides individual service packages that are tailored to the needs of your company.
Asbestos remediation – our expertise for safe real estate
WESSLING determines your real estate's asbestos contamination according to the state-of-the-art technology, and analyses the samples quickly, safely and discretely. We therefore ensure your safety in order to prevent internal and public loss of image. Our engineers and life scientists evaluate the need for action through analyses and sampling strategies adapted to the project. Based on this, we offer you remediation measure planning, invitation to tender and specialist site management, giving consideration to safety and health protection. Our experts also deal with the structured sequence of the conversion, remediation and demolition work.
Throughout the entire measure, we always keep sight of the asbestos remediation costs, and aim to ensure that our industrial customers' production and delivery capabilities are not disrupted. WESSLING safeguards your assets and operations as well as the health and safety of your employees.
Our services:
- Our experts provide inventories of buildings and installations, establish critical points and visually identify the presence of asbestos;
- For confirmation of asbestos presence we collect samples and provide their analysis within accredited laboratory;
- We propose measures to be taken in order to eliminate human risks caused by exposure to asbestos;
- We conduct measurements of asbestos fibres concentrations in the air in case of operations involving asbestos containing products.
Your contact for the topic of asbestos remediation
- Mariana Chivu
- +4 0752 062 397
- mariana.chivu@wessling.ro
„The use of asbestos has been consigned to the past, but the consequences remain. We support you in your remediation project with a thorough and quick assessment of asbestos contamination and the development of individual solutions.“