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TÜV NORD UMWELTSCHUTZ

Information for operators

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Fire dampers containing asbestos in large buildings and public facilities. Your risk. Our job.

As a leading provider of risk assessment services in Germany, TÜV NORD SafetyConsult supports building operators in fulfilling their duties as operators. We help with the safe handling of asbestos-containing fire dampers, enable the planning of cost-effective remediation measures and protect people from a wide range of risks. With this information sheet, we would like to show you some of the advantages that only we can offer you.

Ignore it? Too risky! The danger starts with improper maintenance.

Many maintenance companies do not realise that a risk assessment in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance must be carried out before servicing fire dampers containing asbestos, nor do they have the necessary expertise to do so. The consequences of improper or neglected maintenance can be unpleasant. There is a risk of liability for maintenance companies and building operators, the loss of insurance benefits from building insurers as well as fines and administrative offence proceedings due to failure to fulfil operator obligations.

Replace completely? Too expensive! The solution is cheaper than expected!

Based on a validated determination of intact and non-intact asbestos-containing fire dampers, we quantify the effective need for refurbishment and protect you from unnecessary expenditure. You receive a detailed overview of the asbestos-containing fire dampers in the building and their condition, from which we derive a prioritisation of measures. Phased refurbishment means considerable investment benefits for operators, as the necessary measures generally only require around 5% of the cost of a complete replacement of all asbestos-containing fire dampers.

Exposure to asbestos? We avoid it! Maximum safety for maintenance and operation.

The test process developed by TÜV NORD scientists is carried out by specially trained Safety Advisors during operation and under exclusion of asbestos exposure. The guideline-compliant procedure is unique on the market and exceeds the safety level of the measures listed in the recommendations for action of the German Association for the Remediation of Hazardous Substances (GVSS) (as of March 2021).

Risk assessment and testing with exclusion of asbestos exposure:

Phase 1: Preliminary audit and sampling

  • General assessment of the hazardous substance situation
  • Random check
  • Determination of the measurement strategy and reference measurements
  • System inspection

Phase 2: Preparation of the risk assessment (depending on the laboratory results from phase 1) and testing if necessary

  • Determination of the condition of the fire damper, preparation of the risk assessment
  • Inspection as part of regular maintenance or building code inspection
  • Individual assessment of the fire damper and categorisation into damage categories

Phase 3: Validation and documentation (depending on the results from phases 1+2)

  • Report on the completed risk assessment and test
  • Scientific evaluation of the laboratory and test results
  • Scanning electron miscroscopic method according to VDI 3492
  • Image documentation where appropriate / required
  • Meaningful data sheet for each fire damper when determining urgency level I according to the asbestos directive
  • Information on refurbishment measures (time frame due to asbestos directive)
  • Obligation to inform third parties involved (e.g. facility management, maintenance companies, etc.) about asbestos by the client/operator
  • Approval by the head of the TÜV NORD laboratory for building inspections and the quality manager

Your advantages: Act with legal certainty. Cost-efficient refurbishment.

  • Compliance with operator obligations in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health
  • Prerequisite for fulfilment of the inspection regulations of the federal states
  • Compliance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance and the extended LV 45 "Guidelines on the Hazardous Substances Ordinance"
  • Compliance with the maintenance intervals in accordance with the approval regulations
  • Retention of insurance cover and premium discounts in accordance with the VdS report
  • Avoidance of a defect due to improper maintenance
  • Avoidance of liability risks, administrative offence and fine proceedings
  • Avoidance of industrial accidents
  • Testing during ongoing operation to rule out asbestos exposure
  • Complete indoor air and personal workplace measurements, avoidance of outdoor measurements
  • Industry-leading safety above the level recommended by GVSS e.V.
  • Detailed overview of the number of intact and non-intact fire dampers
  • Refurbishment concept with prioritisation of measures
  • Avoidance of unnecessary measures
  • Time and cost advantages in refurbishment

Asbestos in Germany Used too often, banned too late

Due to its fire resistance, asbestos has been used as a component of fire dampers in countless ventilation systems since the 1950s. Although the harmful properties of asbestos had been known for some time, the manufacture and use of products containing asbestos was not banned in Germany until 1993. Unfortunately, many large buildings and public facilities built before 1995 still have fire dampers containing asbestos, including hospitals, clinics, power stations, office and shopping centres, schools and universities.