ASBESTOS - LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

LABORATORY TESTING FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS

Our laboratory based in Manchester, is UKAS accredited to EN ISO 17025 for ‘bulk sampling’, either issued direct from our client and also samples taken from surveying premises by our surveyors.

Samples can be analysed within 4 hours on the same day – 8.00am – 4.30pm.
Within 24 hours, or for less urgent requirements 3 or 5-7 day turnaround, whatever your project demands. Verbal response can be given sooner if advised and a certificate will be issued advising you of the result.

In the case of identification of whether a material is Asbestos Insulating Board or Asbestos Cement, AEC can carry out the 'water absorption test' to confirm the material type (asbestos cement will absorb less than 30% water by weight). AEC are currently the only laboratory accredited by UKAS for this test.

This is very important if you wish to know how to remove this material as the type of material has an effect on the removal and disposal method, we can also test this at our laboratory – a 10cm2 sample is needed for this service.

In order to provide you with the best possible service the following information should be included with the samples;

Name, address, telephone number, total number of samples. Additionally the following information should be given for each sample; where the sample was taken and your reference number, if available.

Please note that sampling of asbestos is extremely hazardous and should only be undertaken by a ‘COMPETENT PERSON’. Samples should be DOUBLE BAGGED and labelled with a standard red 'A' asbestos warning label (Supplies can be sent from our laboratory if needed please contact our Laboratory Manager on 0161 872 7111.)

BULK SAMPLING

AEC can supply an analyst to remove samples from one or two specified locations, you will then be issued with a certificate of analysis identifying whether the material is asbestos or not.

The standard rate for this is £85 + the cost of analysis per sample (dependant on the level of response for your samples this ranges in price – please ask for a laboratory pricelist). The £85 call out is for locations within 50 mile radius, if you are 50+ miles from Manchester we would be happy to provide a more accurate quote). For a small extra charge we can also provide a small A4 style letter report providing further recommendations.

This is not a substitute for a full survey and will only be isolated to specified locations.

• The laboratory is UKAS accredited for bulk sampling, density sampling and gravimetric weighing to EN ISO 17025
  
• All Bulk samples taken will be analysed by dispersion staining and polarised light microscopy in accordance with the HSE method HSG248 ‘The Analysts Guide’ (Appendix 2).