Asbestos Testing
We provide professional asbestos analysis, planning and surveying for residential and commercial properties to meet legal requirements
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Why you should do Asbestos Testing with us
Healthy Homes New Zealand offers a professional service to meet the requirements of homeowners and landlords under the Health & Safety in the Workplace Act and the Residential Tenancies Act. We provide the technical expertise to assess and report on asbestos contamination and we also hold the knowledge to provide trusted advice on the implications of the results and best next steps.
Building owners and employers are legally required to know the location and condition of asbestos containing materials. The 2019 Amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act has provided clarification in that asbestos is considered to be a ‘contaminant’ and therefore is subject to exemplary damages of up to $4000 per breach.
The Asbestos Regulations require that all asbestos likely to be disturbed e.g. by refurbishment work or demolition must be identified and removed, so far as it’s reasonably practicable, before the work commences.
We specialise in:
- Bulk sample analysis in an IANZ accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) laboratory.
- Bulk sample analysis in compliance with AS4964(2004) Method for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples.
- Dust swab samples.
- Air monitoring in an IANZ accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) laboratory.
- Report generation with key findings and risk based recommendations.
Customer reviews
We’ve conducted thousands of assessments across our business and take great pride in providing an excellent service, check out what our customers say about us
“Absolutely professional, well spoken and did what he had to do. It took time but remember I'm in a large home. Great job”
“Guy was very friendly. He ensured I was aware of his every action. Also very happy with his Health and Safety on-site during COVID. Thank you.”
“The guy was lovely, the service quick and unintrusive.”
“I was just really happy with the contact and flexibility of the consultant"
“Very good. Nice guy and professional. Got the job done.”
Self-service sampling
What is a self-service sample?
If you suspect that there are materials or locations in your property that may contain asbestos and feel confident to take your own samples, we can analyse those samples and provide you with an IANZ accredited laboratory Certificate of Analysis confirming if asbestos was present or not in the sample within 48 hours of the sample being received.
Compliancy must do’s
Who needs to do this?
Homeowners, landlords or property managers that are wanting or needing to know if a building material contains asbestos can take their own sample. But this should only be done if they are competent or confident they can take a sample safely without causing risk of contamination or exposing themselves.
Why do you need to do this?
If the sampled building material does contain asbestos then it must be removed and disposed of correctly by an licenced removal company.
What happens if you don’t?
Contractors will not work with building materials that are known to contain asbestos if they have not been tested. Significant fines can also be given if building materials that could contain asbestos are not analysed or removed and disposed of correctly.
Advantages
Sample can be taken in own time and discretion.
Disadvantages
If not sampled correctly or have the right PPE, there is a risk of exposure to yourself, family or tenants.
Cost per sample
$89+GST
Let us take your samples
Why should I get you to take my samples?
If you believe there is asbestos in your property we can send out a qualified sampler to take samples safely. Asbestos sampling is an intrusive process but the sampler will select the most discrete locations to take the sample to cause no further damage to the property or material and no harm to any occupants. You will then be provided with an IANZ accredited report detailing if asbestos was found within 48 hours of the sample being received.
Compliancy must do’s
Who needs to do this?
Homeowners, potential purchasers, landlords and property managers who need to know if building materials contain asbestos. If you are not competent or confident in gathering a sample safely, getting a qualified sampler to take the sample is the best option.
Why do you need to do this?
Landlords and property managers are PCBU’s (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking). If a PCBU is uncertain if a building material contains asbestos they must ensure that a sample is taken and analysed. This is a part of the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016. It will also dictate if a licenced asbestos company is needed.
What happens if you don’t?
An incompetent person sampling can lead to asbestos exposure or contamination. And according to the Health and Safety Regulations if you don’t get the material(s) sampled and analysed you can be given a significant fine.
Advantages
Samples will be taken safely without endangering family or tenants.
Samplers have experience and knowledge to answer any questions you may have about the process.
Disadvantages
Only the results for the material(s) are given, it does not give a full report on asbestos at the property.
Asbestos management survey
Why a management survey?
An Asbestos Management Survey identifies where in a property asbestos and asbestos containing material (ACM) is located, what condition it is in and what specific actions may need to be taken in order to mitigate risk before any work is undertaken. During the survey a technician will gather samples as necessary and send these to our IANZ accredited laboratory.
Compliancy must do’s
Who needs to do this?
Landlords, property managers, homeowners or potential purchasers who want to identify the presence and location of asbestos containing materials on a property without being intrusive. Information from a management survey is used to make an asbestos management plan.
Why do you need to do this?
If contractors are going to do some maintenance work done on a property, having a management survey completed is a great and easy way to inform them whether they will be working with or near asbestos. Property managers or landlords who have numerous properties might find it easier having asbestos management plans completed to keep track of asbestos at properties.
What happens if you don’t?
Asbestos containing materials could be missed if a survey is not completed. This could lead to multiple call-outs, which will end up being more expensive. Not all contractors are competent at identifying possible asbestos in materials they are working with.
Advantages
A management survey is a non-intrusive way to indicate asbestos on the property.
The report is easy to give to contractors to know if there work will involve asbestos containing materials.
Samples of materials can still be taken and analysed.
Asbestos management plans can be formed from a management survey.
Disadvantages
Any materials not sampled that were identified in the survey will have to be sampled and analysed before any work with the material can commence.
Call-out fee
$499+GST*
*per single 1-3 bedroom dwelling, travel costs apply
Sample analysis
$89+GST
per sample
Asbestos refurbishment survey
Why a refurbishment survey?
The purpose of the Refurbishment Asbestos Survey is to locate all asbestos in a property before any renovation works to change or upgrade it have started. This is different to minor maintenance, which is about maintaining what you have.
If the work being undertaken fits the criteria above, then you must ensure that the asbestos is removed before the refurbishment has started (unless demolition is required to gain access to the asbestos).The level of competency and knowledge needed for an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey is greater than that needed for an Asbestos Management Survey, and the intrusive nature of these surveys presents more health and safety risks.
Compliancy must do’s
Who needs to do this?
Landlords, property managers or home owners who are getting some work done that requires planning permission must get a refurbishment survey completed on the area(s).
Why do you need to do this?
A PCBU has a duty to ensure all asbestos has been identified and removed prior to work commencing in the area(s) that are going to be refurbished. It will also keep the tenants safe during the whole process.
What happens if you don’t?
If a refurbishment survey is not completed the PCBU will be liable and can be fined a significant amount. Contractors hired to do the work will also ask for a refurbishment survey report prior to doing the work.
Advantages
Fully invasive sampling techniques are used to identify all asbestos in the area(s) being refurbished.
A report is generated with recommendations which can be shown to the removal company for a seamless process.
Disadvantages
The survey is only focused on the area(s) going to be refurbished, any other future work will have to get an additional survey.
Call-out fee
$699+GST*
*per single 1-3 bedroom dwelling, travel costs apply
Sample analysis
$89+GST
per sample
Asbestos demolition survey
Why a demolition survey?
The purpose of a demolition survey is to locate all the asbestos in a property (or the relevant part) so this can be removed before work commences. Demolition surveys should only be conducted in unoccupied areas to eliminate or minimise risks to the public or workers on the premises. Ideally, the building should not be in service and all furnishings should be removed. The surveyed area must be fit for reoccupation if people are to move back in. Demolition surveys are technically more challenging than Asbestos Management Surveys and the intrusive nature of these surveys presents more health and safety risks.
Compliancy must do’s
Who needs to do this?
Any person that is getting a house or ancillary structure demolished is required to get an asbestos demolition survey completed before demolition commences.
Why do you need to do this?
The PCBU or homeowner has a duty to identify and remove all asbestos before demolition commences. It will also keep contractors and surrounding areas safe during the demolition process.
What happens if you don’t?
The PCBU or homeowner will be liable and will be fined a significant amount. All contractors completing the demolition will ask for an asbestos demolition survey report and a clearance report saying all asbestos has been removed.
Advantages
Fully invasive sampling techniques are used to identify all asbestos will be located and identified in the building or ancillary structure.
A report will be produced showing all asbestos locations, conditions and friability making it easy for the removalist.
Disadvantages
More preparation has to go in as all furnishings must be removed and power switched off before survey can begin.
Call-out fee
$849+GST*
* per single 1-3 bedroom dwelling, travel costs apply
Sample Analysis
$89+GST
per sample
Asbestos removal
Why remove asbestos?
Asbestos was a common building material for homes up until the 1980s, but it may be present in buildings built or renovated before 2000. When work at a property includes a risk of exposure to respirable asbestos, the relevant asbestos must be identified and in some situations removal may be the only, or best, course of action.
Want to discuss further?
info@healthyhomesnz.co.nz
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