← All FAQs
FAQS · LICENSED MATERIALS
What is a four-stage clearance and when is it needed?.
A four-stage clearance is the independent inspection and air-testing procedure that certifies an area is safe to reoccupy after licensed asbestos removal. It is carried out by a UKAS-accredited analyst who is completely independent of the removal contractor — a deliberate separation that protects you.
No enclosure comes down, and nobody reoccupies the space, until the clearance is passed.
Written by the Innov8 UK Group asbestos team · Technically reviewed by our Contracts Director · Last reviewed July 2026
CLEARANCE
The four stages
Stage 1: a preliminary check of the site and the paperwork — the plan of work, enclosure and job completeness. Stage 2: a thorough visual inspection inside the enclosure for any remaining asbestos residue or debris. Stage 3: disturbed air testing, where surfaces are agitated while pumps sample the air — the result must be below 0.01 fibres per millilitre. Stage 4: a final check after the enclosure is dismantled.
Only then is the certificate of reoccupation issued.
When a clearance is required
A four-stage clearance is required after all licensed enclosure work — AIB removal, lagging, sprayed coatings. For non-licensed work such as asbestos cement removal, a full clearance is not required, though visual inspections and reassurance air testing are often specified on commercial projects for peace of mind.
Why independence matters
The analyst is appointed to check the removal contractor's work, so the two must not be the same organisation. We coordinate the analyst's attendance within the programme, but the pass or fail decision is entirely theirs — and we would not have it any other way.
Your paperwork
Keep the certificate of reoccupation with your building records alongside the waste consignment notes and the plan of work. Together they are the evidence trail that the removal was compliant — essential for future sales, lettings, insurance and refurbishments.
Need this dealt with?
Explore our
Air monitoring & clearances service, or send a photo of the material via WhatsApp for a free identification and fixed quote.
