At Blue Star Asbestos, we are ready to help those in Southampton who are looking for a trusted professional asbestos tester that can carry out an extensive asbestos test. With over 10 years in the asbestos industry, our consultants and asbestos surveyors are all fully qualified to British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) standards.
Our team of local asbestos management experts are ready at a moment’s notice no matter the size of the job. Blue Star Asbestos operates from Southampton and offers asbestos tests for both commercial and domestic properties in the city.
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What is asbestos and asbestos-containing materials?
Asbestos is an umbrella term for a group of naturally occurring minerals composed of microscopic, flexible fibres that are found near the Earth’s surface.
Asbestos was widely used in construction for flooring, roofing and insulation in Southampton up until 1999 when its ban was introduced. There were a number of benefits of using asbestos due to it being heat, fire and chemical resistant as well as unlikely to biologically degrade and would not dissolve in water, however, these didn’t outweigh a major drawback that past asbestos exposure caused serious health problems. Laws have been introduced and updated throughout the years (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is the most up-to-date) in order to ensure asbestos and asbestos fibres are managed safely. To find out more about what asbestos is and why it can be dangerous if it isn’t tested by a UKAS accredited laboratory, read our ultimate guide to asbestos.
Do I need an asbestos test in Southampton?
Asbestos materials were commonly used in the city well into the late 90s and it is still common to find it within homes and commercial properties. The guidance from Southampton City Council is clear – when in doubt, seek advice from a qualified asbestos professional.
You may need an asbestos sample test if a full survey is not required. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) was introduced to combat the high mortality rates associated with asbestos exposure in the UK. The legislation aims to reduce human exposure to asbestos through asbestos management surveys.
However, sometimes a full survey isn’t needed, in which case you may be able to have an asbestos test. Our expert team are based near Southampton and can give you the best advice on the next steps you should take in regards to asbestos testing, surveys and samples. If you’re not sure if you need an asbestos testing service to visit your property, Blue Star Asbestos will be able to assist with any queries you may have. Simply contact us and one of our team members will be more than happy to help.
Our Memberships & Accreditations
Blue Star Asbestos Ltd is proud to be a member of the Local Surveyors Direct and is rated 10/10 on Checkatrade.com
See our 150+ local reviews and Checkatrade profile here
How do you test for asbestos in Southampton?
If you require an asbestos sample test in Southampton, it is important that you don’t attempt to gather the sample yourself. Our local team of asbestos consultants are all fully qualified to British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) nationally recognised standards for working with asbestos.
If you need an asbestos specimen sent off for sampling, get in touch with us and we can safely collect your sample. All asbestos samples need to be sent off to a UKAS accredited laboratory for testing. Typically, you will receive an email within 24 hours of collection. If you do find asbestos in your Southampton-based property, you can see our guide on what to do and the next steps you may need to take.
Testing for asbestos involves:
- Dampening the sample
- Placing in a self-sealing polythene bag
- Placing this in a second self-sealing bag
- Correctly labelling
- Dropping the sample off to a UKAS accredited laboratory
To find out more on how we test for asbestos in Southampton, visit our dedicated guide to see how we check for asbestos. Asbestos testing kits are available to use, but we recommend you contact a trusted and professional asbestos testing service in Southampton to ensure that the highest levels of health and safety are followed.
Asbestos testing for popcorn ceiling in Southampton
If you are purchasing a home in Southampton that has a popcorn ceiling (Artex) installed before 2000, then you most likely need an asbestos test. Artex ceilings were extremely popular and widely used by builders throughout the 1960s, 1970’s and 1980s as an easy way to hide imperfections. Although asbestos-free Artex ceilings were offered from 1976, asbestos-containing popcorn ceiling was being produced in Southampton until 1984 and being installed into the late 1990s.
To the naked eye, it is impossible to tell whether your textured ceiling contains asbestos, therefore the best steps to take is to get a professional in to test the asbestos and send it off to a UKAS accredited laboratory.
Asbestos samples can easily be taken from your property by carefully scraping the coating with a screwdriver or narrow scraper and the material being placed into a sample container. Various samples will need to be taken and this should be carried out by asbestos professionals in Southampton. Sampling should never be attempted by the homeowner.
“Blue Star attended the property at the agreed time and carried out a very thorough inspection. Chris was hugely knowledgeable and certainly expanded our understanding of asbestos and its uses.”
Customer in Southampton
Selecting a competent asbestos tester in Southampton
It is important if you’ve never dealt with asbestos-containing materials before, to work with experienced asbestos testers and only licensed contractors. The Southampton experts you work with should hold accreditation or certification and work in accordance with good practice guidelines and asbestos regulations. Competent testers should also understand the risks of testing properties, have training and experience, and use an effective asbestos management plan.
It is important to choose a licensed contractor that can: work within the Asbestos Regulations 2012, identify any ACMs, create minor asbestos disturbance when carrying out the work and once finished, present the duty holder with a comprehensive asbestos report and asbestos register.
At Blue Star Asbestos, our asbestos testers in Southampton are fully qualified by the British Occupational Hygiene Society which is a nationally recognised standard and we work in accordance with HSE Guidance Documents HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide. If you need an asbestos test in Southampton or are worried about the presence of asbestos-containing materials in your property, we can help you.
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Does Blue Star Asbestos provide asbestos tests in Southampton?
Yes, we provide asbestos tests in and around Southampton! Blue Star Asbestos is based in Hampshire and provides tests for Artex, garage roofs and much more in Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Horndean, Haslemere, and throughout the whole of Hampshire as well as the neighbouring counties of Surrey and West Sussex. Following your asbestos test and the completion of an asbestos register, you may also consider having asbestos surveys and fire risk assessments carried out in your Southampton-based property.
You can contact Blue Star Asbestos via telephone, email or post
- Phone number: 02392811788
- Email address: enquiries@bluestarasbestos.co.uk
- Address: Holland Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 0EB