Asbestos Removal

An asbestos removal requires extensive safety measures. Specialized companies must take strict precautions to ensure that asbestos-containing materials are safely removed and properly disposed of.

Asbestos poses a serious risk to human health and the environment and must therefore be professionally remediated. In many buildings constructed before 1990, hazardous construction materials may still be present. Substances such as asbestos, PCB, and PAH can be found in more than 3,500 building products.

Property owners are required to identify and remove hazardous materials safely. Since 2009, a legal obligation to investigate hazardous materials exists. Before renovation or demolition work begins, it must be clarified whether asbestos-containing materials were used in the building.

Asbestos in Friable Form

Asbestos can occur in friable form, which means the fibers can be easily released into the air. Typical examples include:

Sprayed asbestos, asbestos insulation, asbestos ropes, asbestos seals, asbestos adhesives (bitumen glue), fire protection panels, asbestos cardboard, asbestos fabric, flooring materials, flex tiles, filler compounds, wall plaster, tile adhesives, cushion vinyl (CV flooring), fire dampers, and older electric storage heaters.

Because friable asbestos has a very high fiber release potential, strict protective measures are required during removal.

The material is dismantled inside sealed containment zones (“black areas”) that are accessible through special sluice systems and operated under negative pressure. The asbestos materials are carefully removed, stabilized, packaged, and transported for proper disposal.

After dismantling, all work areas are thoroughly cleaned using H-class vacuum cleaners and wet cleaning techniques. Residual fibers are bonded, and an air quality measurement is carried out before the containment systems are removed.

Asbestos in Non-Friable Form

If asbestos occurs in non-friable form, it must be removed without damaging the material.

Typical examples include:

• Asbestos cement wall cladding
• Asbestos cement lightweight partitions
• Asbestos cement window sills
• AZ toilet partition panels

Cutting or sawing machines must not be used. The components must be carefully detached at the connection points and packed in special fabric disposal bags.

After dismantling, all substructures and work areas are cleaned using an H-class vacuum cleaner. The final approval is granted after a visual inspection by an expert.

Steps of a Hazardous Material Remediation

A hazardous material remediation follows several defined steps:

1. Material analysis : Samples are taken from building materials and analyzed in an accredited laboratory. The report helps determine risks and the required remediation measures.
2. Remediation plan: After cost estimation and project approval, a detailed remediation concept is created.
3. SUVA notification: If the affected area exceeds 5 m², the remediation must be reported to SUVA.
4. Negative pressure / containment: Contaminated areas are sealed off with personnel and material airlocks. The zone is operated under negative pressure to prevent fiber release.
5. Remediation: Specialized workers remove hazardous materials using protective equipment and strict safety procedures.
6. Cleaning and testing: After dry and wet cleaning procedures, air clearance testing is carried out by an independent testing institute. The successful remediation is reported to authorities and the building is released as safe.

Additional Information

• Order an asbestos analysis here.
• Information about asbestos removal services: https://www.achermannag.ch