Asbestos is a legacy material embedded in thousands of homes and commercial structures built before 1990. Its presence in everything from “fibro” wall sheeting in a post-war cottage to vinyl floor tiles in a 1980s canal home poses a significant risk when disturbed. At Rapid Restoration, we provide methodical, compliant asbestos removal services grounded in the stringent framework of Queensland’s legislation.
Our operations are not just about removal. They are about containment, risk-mitigation, and documented verification. Our technicians hold specific Queensland certifications, such as CPCCDE3014 for non-friable asbestos and CPCCDE3015 for friable materials, ensuring every action on your site complies with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and the How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice. We understand the specific challenges of local properties, from managing brittle corrugated roofing on a home to safely handling pipe lagging in an older industrial building.
The primary objective is preventing fibre release, which is invisible and odourless. Our work begins by physically isolating the contaminated area from the rest of your property and the surrounding environment. This isn’t just a plastic sheet; it’s a fully-sealed negative air pressure enclosure built from 200-micron plastic sheeting, with specialized air filtration units running HEPA filters to capture any microscopic particles before they can escape the work zone. This is critical in attached dwellings, like duplexes or commercial tenancies, where airborne fibres can migrate through shared ceiling cavities or HVAC systems.
By partnering with Rapid Restoration, you ensure that every stage of the process, from initial testing to final disposal, is compliant with the Work Health and safety Act 2011. This protects you from potential fines associated with illegal disposal and provides a clear chain of custody for all removed materials. It also helps maintain and often increases property value by formally resolving a known hazardous material issue. Knowing your property is verifiably asbestos-free provides a tangible asset during any future sale or lease. For commercial properties, a clearance certificate is a critical component of your workplace asbestos register.
Asbestos is often found where you don’t expect it. Our assessments identify not just the obvious wall sheeting, but hidden materials in eaves, gables, behind bathroom tiles from a 90s renovation, or as backing for old fuse boxes. We follow a strict disposal protocol. All asbestos waste is wetted down, double-bagged in specifically labelled 200μm plastic bags, sealed, and transported in a covered, licensed vehicle to a government-approved facility. All waste transfer notes are documented and provided to you.
Attempting to remove asbestos without the correct training, equipment, and containment procedures can turn a manageable problem into a widespread contamination event. A cracked sheet or the use of a power tool can release millions of fibres. Professional removal mitigates these risks by using trained technicians who understand material friability and take exact measures to protect themselves, building occupants, and the surrounding neighbourhood from exposure.
The known presence of asbestos can stall a property sale, complicate financing, and deter potential tenants. By investing in professional removal and securing a clearance certificate, you eliminate this liability. The peace of mind is not just emotional; it is a tangible asset that ensures the safety of your family or employees and confirms the long-term structural integrity of your property.
Our process is methodical and transparent, designed for maximum safety and minimal disruption.
Accordion Content
Our work begins with a detailed inspection of your property. We identify suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) based on the building’s age and construction type. For conclusive identification, we take small, controlled samples of materials. These samples are sealed and sent under chain of custody to a NATA-accredited laboratory, such as COHLABS or Environmental & Laboratory Solutions, for analysis using Polarised Light Microscopy (PLM). This step is mandatory to confirm the presence and type of asbestos (e.g., Chrysotile, Amosite) before any removal plan is finalised.
Before any removal, we establish a fully sealed work zone. This involves securing the area, laying down protective plastic sheeting, and setting up negative air pressure units equipped with HEPA filters. Warning signs are posted to comply with WHSQ regulations. All non-essential items are removed from the area, and immovable fixtures are covered with double-layered plastic.
Our technicians, equipped with full personal protective equipment (PPE) including P3 respirators and disposable coveralls, carry out the removal. We use a wet spray method, applying a fine mist of water mixed with a wetting agent to the ACMs. This suppresses asbestos fibres at the source, preventing them from becoming airborne. Materials are carefully detached, avoiding breakage, and immediately sealed in the designated, labelled bags. We strictly prohibit the use of power tools, abrasive cutting, or any action that could pulverize the materials.
All sealed asbestos waste is transported in accordance with Queensland’s Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation. We use our designated vehicles and dispose of the material only at licensed facilities that are equipped to handle regulated asbestos waste. We provide you with waste disposal receipts as part of our final compliance documentation, proving legal and safe disposal.
Once all visible ACMs are removed, the entire containment area is meticulously decontaminated. This is not a simple wipe-down. We use specialized H-class industrial vacuums fitted with HEPA filters to capture any microscopic fibres from all surfaces, including walls, ceilings, and floors. This is followed by a wet-wiping process. All disposable materials used in the containment, including PPE and plastic sheeting, are treated as asbestos waste and disposed of according to the same regulated protocol.
For all Class A (friable) asbestos removal projects, Queensland law mandates that an independent, licensed asbestos assessor conduct air monitoring. This person is unaffiliated with our company and performs testing during and after the removal. Their role is to ensure airborne fibre levels are below the national safety threshold of 0.01 fibres/mL of air before the area can be certified for reoccupation. We can arrange this third-party service for any project to provide an absolute layer of certainty.
Upon completion, a visual inspection confirms the complete removal of all specified materials. For Class A work, the independent licensed assessor must issue a formal clearance certificate stating the area is safe. This certificate is a permanent legal document for your property records. For commercial sites, it’s the final step in updating your asbestos register.
We provide you with a complete documentation package at the end of the project. This portfolio includes the initial NATA lab analysis report, a copy of our removal methodology, the waste transport receipts from the disposal facility, and the final clearance certificate. This folder serves as permanent proof that the asbestos issue on your property was professionally and legally resolved.
