Everything you need to know about testing for asbestos with T4A. Can't find your answer?
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Almost any suspect building material: textured coatings (Artex), vinyl floor tiles, cement sheets and roofing, insulation board (AIB), pipe lagging, soffits, guttering, bath panels, fuse boards and more. If you can safely take a small solid sample, we can test it.
In most domestic situations, homeowners in the UK may take samples of materials in their own home when done carefully. Commercial premises and licensed materials are subject to stricter duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 — if you're a duty holder for a commercial property, contact us and we'll help you approach it correctly.
Yes, when done carefully following the instructions in your kit: wear disposable gloves and an FFP3 mask (provided in our Standard, Express and Trade kits; with the Basic kit you'll need your own), dampen the material first, take a small piece, double-bag and seal it, and clean up as directed. If the material is badly damaged or friable (crumbly), don't disturb it — contact us first.
One sample per distinct material. A textured ceiling and its coving are two materials; two rooms with the same flooring laid at the same time can often be treated as one. When in doubt, sample each material separately.
It depends on the kit: Express and Trade kit results are emailed the next working day after the laboratory receives your samples; Basic and Standard kit results within two working days. Your return envelope is prepaid and tracked first-class post.
Samples are analysed by polarised light microscopy (PLM) in a UKAS-accredited laboratory to identify whether asbestos fibres are present and, if so, the asbestos type (e.g. chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite).
Your certificate identifies the asbestos type. What to do next depends on the material and its condition: material in good condition that won't be disturbed can often be safely managed in place, while damaged material or material in the way of building work may need licensed removal. We'll help you understand your result.
Our standard kits are for solid material samples. If you need air monitoring or other survey work, contact us and we'll advise on the right service.
Kits are delivered throughout the United Kingdom, with delivery included in the price. Return postage to the laboratory is prepaid within the UK.
Order online with any major debit or credit card via our secure checkout. Payments are handled by Stripe, so we never see or store your card details. If you'd rather order by email, write to us directly and we'll invoice you.
