Asbestos
Farmer Environmental Services is one of the most experienced asbestos consulting firms in Illinois, recognized for providing cost-effective and quality solutions for asbestos management.
Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, and in thermal insulation, fire proofing and other building materials. Many products in use today contain asbestos.
Asbestos is made up of microsopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed. When these fibers get into the air they may be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.
Building Inspections
FES helps building owners and managers by providing comprehensive asbestos building inspection services. Our certified professionals adhere to OSHA, EPA, and AHERA regulations when providing inspection services.
Who Must Have Their Buildings Inspected?
If your building was constructed or renovated prior to 1990, it may contain asbestos. OSHA regulations require building owners to know where asbestos containing materials are located and their condition. In addition, EPA regulations require a building owner preparing to demolish or renovate a building to know the extent of work that could impact asbestos containing materials prior to the start of work.
An inspection of a building may include:
- Building documentation review
- Conduct a visual survey of the building to identify potential homogeneous areas.
- Physical collection of supicious bulk materials.
- Review and analysis of bulk material labratory results.
- Conprehensive report and/or AutoCAD drawing detailing labratory results, locations, and quantities any asbestos containing materials (ACM) in the building.
Samples of where asbestos can be found:
- Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet
- Clutch facings
- Asbestos-cement flat sheet
- Disc brake pads
- Asbestos-cement pipe
- Drum brake linings
- Asbestos-cement shingle
- Brake blocks
- Roof coatings
- Commercial and industrial asbestos
- Flooring felt
- friction products
- Pipeline wrap
- Sheet and beater-add gaskets (except specialty industrial)
- Roofing felt
- Commercial corrugated and specialty paper
- Asbestos clothing
- Paper
- Non-roof coatings
- Millboard-Vinyl/asbestos floor tile
- Rollboard-Automatic transmission components
*Source - Environmental Protection Agency
Asbestos containing materials have been used in many building products. In many cases, removal of these materials is required prior to demolition or renovation. FES has inspected more than 1500 building for clients throughout the United States and Canada.
MPE can also customize an asbestos building inspection to meet a client's particular needs.
Project Management
FES will develop an abatement plan and manage all aspects associated with a project. Prior to abatement work beginning, a qualified FES Environmental Consultant will ensure the work area and containment are properly constructed and negative air flow meets required levels. As work begins, FES personnel perform air monitoring services both inside and outside the work area to ensure safe working areas for client and contractor staff. Prior to job completion, FES will perform clearance air sampling and observe the containment removal.
Project Design
FES professionals have developed asbestos abatement project design for a wide range of facilities including schools, corporations, healthcare, and residential.
FES project designers outline, design, and develop procedures for asbestos abatement projects. When requested or required, FES can provide AutoCAD designs detailing asbestos locations, types, and abatement requirements.
Air Monitoring
FES also provides indoor air monitoring which must be performed during every asbestos-related work project. Air sampling must be performed during work area preparation if asbestos materials will be disturbed during the preparation.