[DIY Renovation] Request for asbestos investigation [Required for disposal]

hello everyone.This is DIY Renova.In recent years, more and more people are purchasing second-hand properties and enjoying renovations and renovations to their liking.However, as buildings age, there is a need to be careful about issues related to asbestos.Especially when dealing with slate roofs and old building materials, the presence or absence of asbestos is a major issue when disposing or disposing of them.

In this article, we will explain in detail how to obtain a slate roof asbestos-free certificate that you need to know when you are undergoing DIY renovations, as well as the procedures for investigating asbestos, and where to request it.If asbestos is not handled properly, industrial waste disposal companies may refuse you, and you should be careful as this may result in a halt in the renovation itself.Please read to the end and use it to plan your own renovation.


Introduction

Have you ever heard that you have to be concerned about asbestos when renovating or doing DIY work?In particular, roofing materials and wall materials for homes built before the 1980s may contain asbestos, and if removed or disposed of as is, there is not only a health hazard, but also the risk of violating laws and local government regulations.

Asbestos is a very dangerous substance that has the potential to cause respiratory diseases.If the product is dismantled without knowing, it may cause workers and people around it to inhale the asbestos dust.The essential thing is the "asbestos-free certificate."If you obtain the certificate properly, you will be able to smoothly complete the correct disposal procedure as industrial waste.


Example: Slate's asbestos-free certificate

Slate roofing materials may contain asbestos if they are older.It is said that new products (such as 2006 and later) often do not contain asbestos, but to actually make an accurate judgment, expert research is required.The "Slate Asbestos-free Certificate" here refers to a document that, after analyzing a sample, proof that it does not contain asbestos.

When trying to dispose of roofing materials, many waste disposal sites and industrial waste disposal companies will ask you to "present documents indicating whether or not asbestos is present."Without this, people who are planning to demolish an old roof via DIY should be especially careful as they may not be accepted.


There are mainly two types of survey methods: "preliminary survey" and "qualitative analysis"

There are two main types of survey methods for obtaining a certificate of asbestos-free content: "preliminary survey" and "qualitative analysis (such as JIS A 1481)."

1. The role of preliminary research

A "preliminary survey" is a simple method to determine the possibility of asbestos content, such as visual inspection and checking the year of manufacture.If the manufacturer of the building materials is known, it can be estimated based on the product catalog and year of manufacture.However, it is difficult to conclude that "asbestos is definitely not contained" through a preliminary survey alone, and there are many cases where it is not clear when the roofing material has been released due to past expansions and renovations.

Some local governments and industrial waste disposal companies may judge that "preliminary investigation alone is not sufficient," and in the end results of a qualitative analysis may be required.In particular, if the year of manufacture is ambiguous or if it is not possible to judge based on its appearance alone, the reality is that preliminary investigations often say it is "possible."

2. Qualitative analysis (JIS A 1481, etc.)

"Qualitative analysis" is a method of actually collecting a sample of building materials and scientifically inspecting whether or not asbestos-containing ingredients are detected at a specialized analytical institution.The following analytical methods are mainly used:

  • "JIS A 1481-1:2008" (Polarized Light Microscopy)
  • "JIS A 1481-2:2008" (X-ray diffraction method)
  • "JIS A 1481-3:2008" (Dispersion dyeing method)
  • "JIS A 1481-4:2014" (electron microscopy)

Testing can be performed using these methods and if asbestos is not detected, you can only get a "asbestos-free certificate" issued.Analysis often costs tens of thousands of yen, but with this certificate, the discussion progresses smoothly when it is disposed of, so unnecessary trouble can be avoided.

3. Requirements for industrial waste disposal

Industrial waste disposal companies and local governments require reliable proof as the way they process the construction materials containing asbestos and those containing none.This is because asbestos content requires specialized disposal methods, and there is concern that it may scatter and affect the surrounding environment.

Therefore, in many cases, "not only preliminary surveys, but also documents that show the results of the analysis" are required.If the building materials are old or the year of manufacture is unknown, there is a possibility that the product may contain asbestos and the disposal itself may not be accepted, or there may be a very high disposal fee.

4. Summary

  • "Previous surveys" are just a guideline.If the year of manufacture is unknown or the possibility does not disappear, you will need to request a qualitative analysis.
  • To obtain a "Asbestos-free certificate", scientific analysis using methods such as JIS A 1481 is essential.
  • It is almost always necessary to present a certificate when disposing of industrial waste.Without documents, it can't be disposed of or it can be expensive.

Asbestos issues are greatly influenced by the judgment of local governments and contractors, so it is important to make sure that you are not actually in the roof before dismantling the roof via DIY.


The required documents are "Asbestos-free certificate"

When disposing of slate roofing materials and other materials as industrial waste, a "asbestos-free certificate" is almost certainly needed.In this document,

  • Which property was the sample taken from?
  • Which analysis method (JIS A 1481-○) was used?
  • Analysis showed that no asbestos was detected

etc. will be clearly stated.If this is issued by an official analysis institution, the disposal site will allow them to be accepted smoothly.However, some companies may specify the certificate format or analysis institution, so it is safe to check "what format and certification from the institution is valid" before requesting it.


Requested to

Many people may wonder, "Where should I actually request an analysis?"Here we will introduce some clients that are relatively easy to handle with personal DIY.

Orby Environment

"[Lowest price] Pre-asbestos survey from 50,000 yen [Nationwide]"

We strive to provide clear accounting services, and in many cases, individuals and corporations can request this account.It's also great for DIY enthusiasts that it can be accommodated nationwide.For specific steps and estimates, check the LP below to help you get a better idea of ​​it.

Of course, when making a request, please say "I would like you to analyze the presence or absence of asbestos in the slate roof material," and since we are considering disposing it, you would like you to issue a certificate of asbestos-free.

(For corporate customers only)

If you are renovating or dismantling from a corporate standpoint,"Asbestos analysis and survey reporting with high accuracy results in as quickly as 1 day - Daylab" can also be selected as a candidate.As the name suggests, results can be achieved in as little as one day, making it popular among contractors and corporations who want to quickly proceed with construction schedules.

The appeal of Daylab in particular is its ease of "simply send a sample and get analysed."Even at busy construction sites, you can handle the situation by simply packing the collected roofing materials and sending them, which is smoother than having them travel to the site.The official website also has reference articles such as "What conditions does not require an asbestos investigation? Explanation of the reasons in light of legal amendments," so it's a good idea to check them out as well.


If you submit a request, it will be smoother if you send an email message like the one below.

Sorry for the first time contacting me.
We hope you will investigate whether the slate roofing material contains asbestos in the properties currently undergoing renovation.
Based on this, we hope to be able to properly dispose of industrial waste.
Therefore, we would appreciate your guidance on the estimate and specific steps.

House Features: Wooden flat house
Construction years: 19XX
Area to be demolished: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
Scope of dismantling:...
We apologize for the busy schedule, but we appreciate your cooperation.

If you work hard you can investigate yourself

So far, we have mainly introduced methods to "request a contractor for research and analysis," but some people may be wondering, "Can you not find out if it's asbestos yourself?"In fact, certain qualifications are required for asbestos surveys, but technically, you can sample it yourself and have it sent to an analytical institution.However, sampling itself requires specialized methods, and the risk of asbestos scattering during collection operations cannot be ruled out.

Some local governments provide information on "Notes when collecting analytical samples using DIY."If you can thoroughly manage safety, such as using dustproof masks, disposable work clothes, and using dust collectors to prevent secondary scattering, you may be able to reduce costs by collecting your own samples and sending them to an analytical institution.However, if you have even a little unsure, we highly recommend that you hire a professional.


Required qualifications

It's also interesting to note that "Do you need a special qualification to conduct a preliminary asbestos survey yourself?"In fact, due to legal amendments, the "preliminary surveys related to asbestos" must be conducted by qualified qualified personnel from 2022.

Typical qualifications include the following:

  • "Asbestos-containing building materials surveyor"
  • "Specific Construction Work Manager" (someone must complete asbestos course)

Even if it's DIY, in cases where large-scale construction work or advance inspection is required, there is a possibility that people with this qualification will have to ask for the investigation.There is a high hurdle for individuals to do it on their own, so if you want to obtain a reliable certificate or avoid violating laws, it is safer to ask an expert or an analytical institution.

For more information


What you need

If you are going to take samples yourself at the DIY level, you will need the following equipment and tools:

  • "Dustproof mask (National certification)"
  • "Safety glasses" or "goggles"
  • "Protective Suit"
  • "Cutters for sample collection" and "Shrimping Tools"
  • "Plastic bag with lid"
  • "Protecting sheets and duct tape"

When cutting or crushing building materials that may contain asbestos, dust is prone to flying, which is extremely dangerous.Be sure to wear a dust mask that protects your respiratory system, and take thorough measures to prevent secondary scattering, such as disposing of your work clothes without reusing them after work.

Also, when collecting samples using a cutter or drill, it is recommended to spray water to prevent dust from flying away.It is important to put the sample in a bag and seal it as soon as it is collected.By following these steps, sampling can be achieved with minimal risk.


Possible costs for asbestos disposal

How much does it cost to actually dispose of it after obtaining the "Asbestos-free Certificate"?In fact,

  • Cost for obtaining a "Asbestos-free certificate" (several thousand yen)
  • Disposal of slate waste material (high if it contains asbestos, relatively inexpensive if it does not contain it)
  • Collection and transportation costs

and so on are summed up.Some slates can be picked up for around several hundred to several thousand yen, while others contain asbestos, and in some cases, each slate can cost over several thousand to over 10,000 yen, so this can vary greatly depending on the conditions.

Incidentally, I spent about 200,000 yen on a preliminary survey and five asbestos specimens.This is the amount of money you'll look at the house overall.

However, if the product is determined to be "asbestos-containing building materials," the legal provisions are required to quarantine the workplace or remove it under the control of a licensed company, and an amateur may not be allowed to try it.In this case, the cost of demolition will increase, so the reality is that some people will later regret it, saying, "If it would be so expensive, I should have done my research from the beginning..."(In fact, preliminary investigation is mandatory)


Health risks to keep in mind when removing asbestos

When working with building materials that may contain asbestos, remember that there are "invisible risks."Asbestos fibers are very fine and are said to easily penetrate deep into the lungs.It may gradually affect the lungs over a long period of time, and in some cases it may cause serious illnesses in the future.

If you are DIYing to handle roofing and wall materials, be sure to wear complete protective gear, as well as take into consideration the area around the work area.If you have a nearby local, it is important to make efforts to prevent dust from scattering, such as by contacting them in advance and having the windows closed.

Also, after removal, we will carefully dispose of dust that has adhered to work clothes, gloves, etc. without discharging them.Wear disposable protective gear to minimize the risk of scattering.If these measures are not taken properly, they may increase the risk of health damage not only to you, but also to your family and those around you.


Conclusion

While more and more people are doing renovations and DIY, when buildings are old, the "asbestos problem" tends to emerge.When dealing with building materials that contain asbestos, first check carefully to see if it contains asbestos using preliminary surveys and qualitative analysis, and then follow the steps to obtain a "certificate of asbestos-free."

If the industrial waste disposal company or local government to which you are disposing of the product requires the analysis results, it is important to ask a specialized institution to ensure that the certificate is issued.Because it's DIY, you want to avoid problems, reduce unnecessary expenses, and proceed with renovations with safety first.

References, videos, etc.

We hope this article will help you in your DIY renovation and disposal procedures.If you have any questions or concerns about asbestos, first consult an expert or an analytical institution.Thank you for reading to the end.Please proceed with the renovation work safely and comfortably.

If you are wondering, "How much can I renovate or renovate my home in the first place? Where should I start?"Herefrom.If you would like to know more about the specific renovation process and construction,HerePlease also take a look at the page!

3 responses to “[DIY Renovation] Request for asbestos investigation [Required for disposal]”

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