Asbestos Removal

An asbestos removal requires extensive measures, and the responsible companies must take several precautions to ensure that asbestos materials are safely removed and disposed of. Asbestos poses a danger to humans and the environment and must be remediated. In most buildings and facilities constructed before 1990, harmful materials are likely to be present. Asbestos, PCB, and PAH are found in over 3,500 products. Property owners are therefore required to remove and safely dispose of these hazardous materials. Since 2009, there has been a legal obligation to investigate. Before any construction work begins, it must be determined whether asbestos-containing materials were used during the building’s construction. This ensures that excessive costs are avoided.

Asbestos in Friable Form

Asbestos can be in friable form, found in materials such as sprayed asbestos, asbestos insulation, asbestos ropes, asbestos seals, asbestos adhesives (bitumen glue), fireproof panels, asbestos cardboard, asbestos fabric, flooring, flex tiles, filler, wall plaster, tile adhesive, CV coverings (cushion vinyl), fire dampers, and older electric storage heaters. If asbestos is present in a friable form, special precautions must be taken due to the high fiber release potential. This material is carefully dismantled in "black areas" sealed with specific sluice systems and operated under negative pressure. It is fully solidified, packed, removed, and disposed of. All work areas are thoroughly cleaned using H-vacuums and wet cleaning methods. Residual fibers are bonded, and air quality measurements are taken before the containment measures are lifted.

Asbestos in Non-Friable Form

If asbestos is in a non-friable form, it must be removed without causing damage. Asbestos can be found in asbestos cement wall claddings, asbestos cement partition walls, asbestos cement window sills, and AZ-WC partition walls. No cutting or sawing tools should be used. Such materials must be carefully detached at connection points and packed in fabric bags. After dismantling, all substructures and the entire work area must be cleaned with an H-vacuum. Clearance is granted by visual inspection from an expert.

Steps of a Hazardous Material Remediation

A hazardous material remediation follows specific steps:

1. Material analysis: material samples are taken to test the building for hazardous substances. Samples are analyzed in accredited laboratories, and a report is generated. The project leader uses this report to assess risks and determine the need for remediation.
2. Remediation plan: after cost estimation and project approval, a detailed remediation plan is developed.
3. SUVA notification: if the area to be remediated exceeds 5 square meters, the remediation must be reported to SUVA. Once properly notified, preparations are completed, and the remediation begins.
4. Negative pressure/Containment: the affected areas are hermetically sealed with material and personnel sluices, creating a negative pressure zone. This ensures the safe removal of hazardous materials, protecting people and the environment.
5. Remediation: with strict safety measures and proper protective gear, workers carry out the remediation, ensuring that the material is removed and safely disposed of.
6. Cleaning and testing:  after thorough dry and wet cleaning, air clearance testing is carried out by an independent testing institute. The successful remediation is reported to the authorities and SUVA, and the property is handed over as hazard-free.

Additional Information:

• Order an asbestos analysis here.
• Asbestos removal: find information and contacts at: https://www.achermannag.ch