REMOVING ASBESTOS AFTER A FIRE

Australian Enviro Services (AES) were recently required to demolish and remediate a fire impacted building that previously contained asbestos materials (vinyl tiles). To add further complications to delivering these works, the site was surrounded by residential and sporting facilities, access to the works area was limited, enforced downtime was required by the landowner due to site operational requirements and traffic control was required throughout the duration of works.

Works commenced with AES providing notification to CommCare of the commencement of friable asbestos removal works 5 working days prior to the commencement of works. Following this OH&S and QA/QC documentation (including an Asbestos Removal Control Plan, Safe Work Method Statement, Emergency Plan and Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Management Plan, Emergency Plan and ITPs etc). Notification of the commencement of works was provided to neighbours/stakeholders.

AES then established the site by placing temporary fencing and signage around the works area, establishing 200 micron thick high impact plastic around the base of the building in preparation for demolition works, install sediment control (sandbags) around the footprint of the building and establish a x3 stage wet decontamination unit. Please refer to images below.

Preparation works for the commencement of demolishing the building occurred. An Occupational Hygienist was engaged to install air monitors around the x4 perimeters of the site, within the clean area of the decontamination are and within the cabin of plant utilised onsite. Asbestos packers located between the building and bricks piers were removed, the inside of the building was sprayed with and encapsulant to assist in preventing dust emission once demolition works commenced and the external walls were encapsulated with a UV resistant and non water soluble encapsulant. Please refer to images below.

Next demolition works commenced. This occurred mechanically with an elevated work platform utilised to assist in fibre/dust suppression. The walls and roof of the building was progressively removed and placed into 20 m3 skip bins. The skip bins were pre-lined with 2 x 200 micron high impact plastic. Once full, they were zipper sealed and disposed offsite as asbestos impacted demolition waste. Asbestos impacted waste disposed offsite was internally tracked by AES, disposed offsite at appropriately licensed landfill facilities and our Client was provided with weighbridge dockets upon completion of works. Refer to images below.

Once all of the building was removed, the remaining concrete slab was scrapped by hand and all remaining debris was HEPA vacuumed and disposed offsite as asbestos impacted waste.  An Occupational Hygienist provided a Clearance Certificate confirming that the slab was free of all bonded asbestos.  The concrete slab was then sealed with a UV and water resistant encapsulant.  Furthermore, the Occupational Hygienist collected soil samples as per National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure requirements.  Please refer to images below.

By the completion of works AES had disposed of ~ 35 tonnes of asbestos impacted demolition waste offsite. We provided our Client with sign off that the site was “asbestos free” by means of a Validation Report. Works were conducted with zero complaints from neighbours and the public.

You can find more information about our asbestos remediation services on these pages: ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT | ASBESTOS REMOVAL SYDNEY | ASBESTOS SOIL CONTAMINATION | OUR ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

You can also read our asbestos case studies here: Removing asbestos after a fire | Asbestos Soil Stockpile Management

Australian Enviro Services are licensed, trained and experienced in the removal of non-friable (bonded) and friable asbestos.  If you need to discuss anything about asbestos management please just give us a call call on (02) 9557 8886 and we will call you back.