FAQs

The objective of asbestos removal is to eliminate the risk presented from asbestos fibres through removal of the asbestos containing material (ACM). ACMs come in many forms and typically include boards, insulations and coatings. The ACM will often have been installed to take advantage of its heat resisting qualities and its removal needs to be very carefully considered.

If it’s decided that an ACM can be removed, then consideration may need to be given to reinstatement using a non-asbestos alternative. An example of this would be as asbestos ceiling that is in good condition but it has become necessary to gain access to the ceiling void. It may be decided to remove the ceiling and replace it with a non-asbestos ceiling so that future access is possible without risk from asbestos fibres.

If ACMs remain undisturbed, they pose little risk. If damaged or disturbed, then the microscopic asbestos fibres are released into the air and are at risk of being breathed in. When the fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases. These diseases often develop over a long period of time and

once diagnosed it is often too late for effective treatment to cure the disease. Asbestos related diseases include Mesothelioma, lung cancer, Asbestosis and pleural thickening. It’s important that you protect yourself and reduce the risk of exposure to asbestos.

Extreme care must be exercised when removing asbestos ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to reduce exposure to asbestos fibres and minimise the potential for the spread of asbestos fibres. The removal of asbestos is governed through strict regulation by the Health & Safety Executive. Failure to adhere to these regulations could result in prosecution under Health and Safety regulations.

We work in all sectors, and enquiries for asbestos removal or abatement can vary considerably in detail and our teams will take time to discuss and understand the requirements of each enquiry. An asbestos survey will be carried out to ensure that the site conditions are fully appreciated, and the clients brief is understood. A quotation will then be prepared or a tender submitted that sets out clearly what we will do and how much it will cost. Following a full assessment and the preparation of a plan of work the removal of the ACMs will take place either inside a sealed enclosure or in a segregated safe working zone.

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be worn by those undertaking the work. Wherever possible the ACM’s will be removed whole without breakage before being wrapped in polythene and disposed of at a licensed waste facility.

The work will be diligently undertaken by our skilled and trained teams ensuring full compliance with current legislation and best practice before returning the site to you in a safe condition.

Asbestos encapsulation is the process of applying a protective layer onto the asbestos containing material (ACM) which will contain asbestos fibres behind it and also provide some protection to the ACM from damage. The encapsulating material could for example be a rigid board or sheet, a painted or sprayed coating, a fabric or cloth wrap.

The ACM will need to be in sound condition before it is encapsulated, and this may involve some preparatory works being undertaken inside an enclosure. The protective layer will be installed either using an independent supporting framework or by direct application onto the ACM. Labels may be applied to the protective layer warning of the presence of asbestos behind.

In some instances it is not necessary to remove asbestos and encapsulation of the asbestos containing materials (ACMs) may be a more appropriate solution. The decision to encapsulate asbestos rather than remove will come following a risk assessment and having been given due consideration to the ACM.

Encapsulation could be a more appropriate option where the specific qualities of the ACM need to be maintained such as fire resistance or insulation or where it is more cost effective to do so.

The main benefit of asbestos encapsulation is that it can be carried out with minimal disturbance. If you are looking for commercial asbestos treatment, encapsulation means your business can remain fully operational.

Encapsulating your asbestos as opposed to removing it also means that you don’t have to dispose of the materials which can be and expensive and potentially dangerous process.

Asbestos encapsulation works can vary considerably in detail and our teams will take time to discuss and understand the requirements of each enquiry. An asbestos survey will be carried out to ensure that the site conditions are fully appreciated, and the clients brief is understood. A quotation will then be prepared or a tender submitted that sets out clearly what we will do and how much it will cost. Following a full assessment and the preparation of a plan of

work for the ACMs encapsulation will take place either inside a sealed enclosure or in a segregated safe working zone. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be worn by those undertaking the work. The work will be diligently undertaken by our skilled and trained teams ensuring full compliance with current legislation and best practice before returning the site to you in a safe condition.

This survey is designed to assist you in identifying the presence of asbestos within a building/premises and provide the building managers or maintenance teams with guidance on how to ensure that the asbestos isn’t disturbed by day to day occupation/maintenance of the building by you, your tenants or contractors.

The survey will include taking samples from the building which could result in some superficial damage to decorations and other areas such as insulation materials in plant rooms or loft spaces. In all cases the survey will contain marked up site drawings showing the location of any samples taken which can then be cross referenced to the sample analysis results.

This type of survey must be undertaken with a very clear understanding of what works are being planned to ensure that the scope of the survey very clearly identifies areas that are included and just as importantly what areas are not included, this is vitally important for the contractors engaged to undertake the refurbishment works on your behalf. By its very nature the survey is intrusive and as such you can expect there to be a large number of openings/inspection points throughout the structure which will require making good if the project is not planned to start immediately after completion of the survey.

The report will contain the sample analysis along with very clear site drawings showing the location of any asbestos identified in the building, just as important it will also tell you what materials aren’t asbestos, this very useful to your contractors when planning and undertaking the works. The survey may require isolation of building services and in some cases may require support from licensed asbestos removal contractors where the potential risk of disturbing asbestos is high, this requirement will be assessed at the desktop planning stage of the survey and will be very clearly set out within the survey method statement.

Hazardous cleaning entails restoring the affected areas of hazardous materials back to pre-incident condition. Hazardous materials/waste can include oils, paints, drugs, cosmetics, cleaning chemicals, degreasers, detergents, gases, pesticides, herbicides, fuel, diesel, petrol, gases, asbestos, flammables, corrosives and more.

The cost to clean up hazardous chemicals can vary depending on the severity of the clean-up required, the materials involved, the property location and whether the enquiry is urgent or not.

Pigeon guano removal is the process by which we systematically remove pigeon guano (bird droppings) from an affected area in order to prevent any negative impact on health and safety of those occupying the area.

Decontaminate are experienced in the removal of pigeon guano and cleaning of affected areas. In accordance with HSE Guidelines, our trained operatives would pay particular attention to basic hygiene to ensure that the risk of ingestion or inhalation of harmful micro-organisms is minimised.

Wearing suitable Respiratory Protective Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment our staff will work in a containment zone established around the affected area. The guano will be before carefully removing the guano in a controlled manner and disposing of it safely.

Scientific advances have highlighted the ease with which diseases are spread from birds to humans, therefore we highly recommend you contact us before beginning works where pigeon dropping dust could circulate with the air supply of your team.

Many old buildings contain harmful lead-based paints. Lead paint removal is the process of carefully and safely removing all lead containing paints from a commercial or domestic building.

As it deteriorates, lead paint mixes with dust and other household debris and can be easily breathed in. This can lead to lead poisoning.

As with all effective management control processes and specific to lead, the risk assessment starts with a lead paint inspection, establishing if lead is in fact present and in what percentage. As with the process for removing asbestos our staff will wear appropriate RPE and PPE and will work in a safe containment area.

The lead paint will be carefully removed using recognised techniques which are all centred around controlling risk at source and are accompanied by air testing to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control measures implemented. Upon completion of the works a thorough inspection of the area will be undertaken and all operatives will be fully decontaminated.

Soft strip demolition is the removal of anything non-structural from the inside or outside of a building. This could be part of a demolition of the building or as part of a refurbishment project.

It is a highly specialist job and should be carried out by professionals with experience in handling the potentially hazardous materials that might be uncovered during the process.

Prior to activity being carried out, we will build a thorough soft strip demolition method statement, that includes a full risk assessment and overview of next steps.

The DE Group have decades of experience when it comes to both demolition and asbestos removal.