The issue surrounding whether to completely remove asbestos-containing materials from your property or to potentially encapsulate them is a tough decision but it can be an appropriate approach towards asbestos management.
Whilst the full removal of asbestos may feel like the obvious choice when dealing with the material in your property, it may not be the clear correct or most cost-effective solution as asbestos removal Stockport can be a complicated procedure, as well as costly and can cause considerable downtime. A reliable decision can only be made on the expert guidelines laid down by a competent and experienced surveyor or asbestos consultancy, based on information accumulated through asbestos surveying.
Asbestos encapsulation
Asbestos encapsulation is when a sealant is applied to an asbestos-containing material that functions as a shield or barrier, preventing asbestos fibres from being disturbed or becoming airborne.
Encapsulation seals the asbestos and, if necessary, further encloses it with materials such as resins and sheet metal cladding to stop future damage. The protective layer can be applied via a separate supporting framework or by directly applying it to the ACM. The functions of encapsulation include repairs to any damaged asbestos, the sealing of any exposed edges, an extension of usable life for the material and reduction of fibre releases due to general degradation.
Encapsulation also helps to guard against any accidental knocks and scrapes and improves the visual appearance of the material. After the ACM is fully encapsulated, labels can be placed to warn everyone against the existence of asbestos and to avoid unintentional disruption moving forward. The asbestos register should also be updated to provide up-to-date information to building users.
Encapsulation over removal
Encapsulation is considerably simpler than the process of asbestos removal Manchester. Whilst removal is very efficient, it can also be quite costly and can necessitate a lot of downtime for a business.
Encapsulation can be completed with much fewer levels of disruption, which is a preferable alternative if you require commercial asbestos management that allows for your space to continue to be functional. With encapsulation, you also will not need to worry about the disposal of harmful asbestos materials as there will not be any to get rid of.
It is important to note that only ACMs in a fair condition should be encapsulated. Severely damaged ACMs must be removed and disposed of by a professional asbestos removal company.
Recommended
Asbestos encapsulation minimises risk with a quicker, cost-effective solution and could make a lot of difference to your company’s downtime to deal with this considerable health risk.
Contact the team at Grosvenor Asbestos Solutions today for more information on your options.
