Accurate airborne asbestos fibre testing by BOHS-qualified analysts, for planned works, live projects, and reassurance monitoring.
HFS Environmental provides UKAS-accredited asbestos air monitoring and clearance inspection services (ISO/IEC 17025) across London, Kent and the South East, working from our UKAS-accredited laboratory in Meopham, Kent. Our analysts carry out all types of asbestos air testing using calibrated sampling pumps and phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) in accordance with HSG248 and HSE guidance.
Where we work. Our analysts cover London and the South East, with Kent, Surrey and the surrounding home counties as our core area. We attend sites across Greater London and the M25 corridor, often at short notice, and our Meopham laboratory can turn samples around the same day when a job needs it. If you are outside the South East, call us and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Carried out prior to works to establish baseline airborne fibre levels.
Ensuring enclosures are sealed and safe during licensed removal works.
Verifying air cleanliness following minor works or suspected disturbance.
Monitoring individual operative exposure levels during works, supporting COSHH compliance.
Assessing release and spread of asbestos fibre concentrations near sources, inside enclosures, work areas, or during simulated disturbance activities.
Conducted around site perimeters where other workers, public access, or nearby buildings may be present.
Following a successful four-stage clearance, HFS issues a Certificate of Reoccupation confirming the area is safe for use. Our clearance process follows all four mandatory stages:
Asbestos air sampling is recommended by the Asbestos Regulation 2012, the Approved Code of Practice, and existing guidance. It checks the effectiveness of the controlled method or removal, provides data for personal exposure records, helps you assess and plan similar jobs, and confirms you have chosen the right RPE.
Air monitoring detects the level of respirable fibres in the air in a given location. We use a pump to draw a set amount of air through a filter, over a set time. This filter is analysed according to HSG264 and other guidance, then viewed and counted under a microscope. Depending on the type of air monitoring, the test result should be <0.01 f/ml (below 0.01 fibres per ml of air) to pass the test.
Raised asbestos levels could happen thanks to accidental damage to asbestos containing materials, or planned asbestos removal works, whether licensed or not. It can occur when asbestos might be present but can't be recorded on a ground works survey. In all three cases air monitoring is required. It can also be used to find the appropriate RPE to use during asbestos related works. If you need licensed asbestos removal work, you will also need 4-stage Clearance.
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