What is an Asbestos Testing Report?
An asbestos testing report confirms whether asbestos is present in sampled building materials, identifies the asbestos type, shows fibre percentage, and provides risk-based recommendations.
What Does NADIS Mean on an Asbestos Report?
NADIS means No Asbestos Detected in Sample.
Why is an Asbestos Testing Report Important?
It helps determine health risk and guides safe management, monitoring, or removal of asbestos-containing materials.
Reading an Asbestos Testing Report
Reading an asbestos testing report involves understanding sample details, laboratory results, asbestos types, fibre percentages, and material condition. These elements together determine risk level and required action.
Asbestos is extremely common in Australia. Reports suggest that 1 in 3 homes across Australia have reported the presence of asbestos. However, it is not just the homes. Rather, it is most of the buildings that were built or renovated before 1990, including businesses, factories, and others.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when disturbed or damaged. Microscopic fibres are released into the air, and inhalation can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. This is why asbestos testing is essential before renovation, demolition, or maintenance work.
Asbestos testing helps in detecting the presence of asbestos and proceeds to find remedies for it. However, getting the test isn’t enough. It is also essential for an organisation to be able to read and understand them.
Well, in this blog, we will help you with that. We will help you understand how you can read an asbestos testing report, making it easier for you to navigate the rest of the process.
What Are the Key Components of an Asbestos Inspection Report?
An asbestos inspection report follows a standard structure to help identify risk and guide action. Before proceeding to read an asbestos report, it is essential to understand how it is structured. This way, it becomes easier to manage the risks of asbestos in a building and understand the findings of the report. Some of the crucial components of this report are:
Client & Site Information
This section confirms who commissioned the inspection and which site was assessed. It includes client name, contact details, duty holder information, site address, building description, areas inspected, areas excluded, inspection method, and inspection date.
This section should always be checked first to ensure the report applies to your site.
Executive Summary
This part of an asbestos inspection report points out the findings of the inspection. It points out the key aspects regarding identifying asbestos materials and sums up where and in what condition these asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were found.
Inspection Findings
Inspection findings provide detailed information about each asbestos-containing material identified. This includes material type, exact location, condition, quantity, and accessibility.
Materials are usually grouped by risk level, with guidance on how urgently action is required.
Laboratory Analysis Results
The lab analysis results confirm whether asbestos is present in the building premises. This shows the results acquired from tests done on various samples. It gives necessary details on the different types and amounts of asbestos present, making it easier to form plans in dealing with them.
How to Interpret Asbestos Test Results
Understanding the results section is critical for correct decision-making. Reading an asbestos testing report involves understanding a few things. Some of these things are:
Check if the Certificate is Yours
Always confirm that the site address, reference number, and sample details match your property. This ensures the report is not mistakenly applied to another site.
Check Your Results
Now that you are certain that the report belongs to your site, you can proceed to check the results without any question. The report will clearly list out the samples collected from your site and the findings related to it. The findings will include the following:
Asbestos Type Identified
The report will include a section that will clearly highlight the types of asbestos identified in the premises. You will have to look for specific names like Chrysotile, Amosite, and Crocidolite. Other than that, it might also include names like Tremolite, Actinolite, which are less common. Otherwise, if there is no presence of asbestos, then the report will read “None Detected” / “N.A.D.I.S.” (No Asbestos Detected in Sample).
Fibre Percentage
The fibre percentage in an asbestos testing report indicates the concentration of asbestos in a bulk material sample. This percentage will determine if the material is legally classified as asbestos-containing material (ACM) and dictate the necessary safety precautions and regulations for handling the materials. Based on that, risk ratings like low, medium, and high.
Material Condition
The material condition section in an asbestos testing report describes the current state and integrity of the asbestos-containing material (ACM). This directly relates to the risk of releasing harmful fibres into the air. You will find terms like intact, weathered, damaged, friable, or non-friable, all indicating the condition.
Don’t Confuse the Key
The footer section of the report will include a final sign-off from the lab analyst. There will also be a grey box with a grading of “KEY”. Then it will be followed by NADIS or “No Asbestos Detected in Sample”. You must not confuse this with your results, as it is a simple KEY that states what NADIS means.
How to Read the Recommendations Section
The recommendations section of an asbestos test report provides a plan of action tailored to the specific type, location, condition, and risk level of the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) found.
You must look for information like actionable steps, specific locations, and risk assessment. Other than that, it also includes information regarding ongoing monitoring, repair, enclosure, remediation, and others.
What Should You Do After Reading an Asbestos Testing Report?
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If no asbestos is detected, no action is required unless materials are disturbed in the future.
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If asbestos is detected and remains intact, regular monitoring or encapsulation may be sufficient.
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If asbestos is damaged or friable, professional remediation or removal is required.
Only licensed asbestos professionals should carry out removal or high-risk work.
What an Asbestos Report Does Not Tell You
An asbestos testing report has limitations.
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It does not include removal or remediation costs.
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It does not measure airborne fibre levels.
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It does not guarantee long-term safety without expert guidance.
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It does not replace air monitoring or clearance certificates.
Additional assessments may be required depending on site conditions.
Asbestos Report Explained in Simple Terms
An asbestos testing report tells you whether asbestos is present, where it is located, how dangerous it is, and what actions should be taken to manage or remove it safely.
In Summation
Getting an asbestos test report is not enough to tackle the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a place. Rather, it is also essential for one to learn how to read the report. This makes it easier for one to identify the ACMs in a building, understand their condition, and look out for ways for safe management and remediation. This is one simple way to prevent severe health issues caused by the harmful material and its fibres.
Want to Get a Detailed Asbestos Test Report for Your Site?
Reach out to us for a detailed asbestos test report. Understand the presence of ACMs and look out for ways of safe remediation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Get Asbestos Test Results?
Asbestos test results usually take one to three business days, depending on the laboratory and testing method.
Can the Site Still Be Used While Waiting for Asbestos Test Reports?
Yes, if suspected materials remain undisturbed. Areas under suspicion should be avoided until results are confirmed.
What Should I Do if the Test Results Show Asbestos?
If asbestos is detected, consult licensed asbestos professionals for management, remediation, or removal. Do not disturb the material yourself.
What Are the Common Asbestos-containing Materials Found in Australian Properties?
Common materials include asbestos cement sheets, corrugated roofing, vinyl floor tiles, pipe insulation, sprayed coatings, and bitumen-based waterproofing.
