Independent, UKAS-accredited clearance testing confirming safe reoccupation following licensed asbestos removal.
A four-stage clearance is the mandatory procedure required following licensed asbestos removal. It must be carried out by an independent body (not the removal contractor) to confirm the area is free from asbestos contamination and safe for reoccupation. HFS Environmental provides this service under our UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, carried out by BOHS P403/P404 qualified analysts.
Visual inspection of the enclosure and surrounding area to confirm the removal contractor's equipment is in order and the area is ready for clearance inspection.
Detailed visual inspection of all surfaces within the enclosure to confirm all visible asbestos debris and dust has been removed or encapsulated. No visible contamination must remain before proceeding to air testing.
Air samples are collected and analysed using phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) to verify that airborne fibre concentrations are below the clearance indicator level (0.01 f/ml), in full accordance with HSG248.
Once air test results confirm the area is safe, the enclosure is removed and a final visual inspection carried out. HFS then issues a Certificate of Reoccupation, a formal, UKAS-backed confirmation the area is cleared and safe for use.
A Certificate of Reoccupation is a formal document issued by an independent UKAS-accredited body confirming that an area is safe to reoccupy following licensed asbestos removal. It is issued only after all four clearance stages have been successfully completed.
Most clearances are completed within a single site visit, typically 2 to 4 hours depending on the size and complexity of the enclosure. Air testing analysis is carried out on-site, so results and the Certificate of Reoccupation are issued the same day where possible.
No. Under CAR 2012 and HSG248, four-stage clearances must be carried out by an independent body with no commercial relationship to the removal contractor. This ensures the process is impartial and the results are defensible.
