Independent testing and certifications: proof that our machines deliver on their promises
We publish results from tests carried out by independent accredited laboratories, on real construction sites, with client operators. Not ideal laboratory conditions: real field conditions.
Why we publish independent test results
In the construction sector, technical data sheets announce performance measured under ideal conditions. The problem: a construction site is never an ideal condition. Temperature varies, dust is everywhere, substrates change from one room to the next, and the operator is not a robot.
We have chosen to publish results obtained by independent laboratories, on real sites, with operators who use our machines daily. These results are not marketing. They are measurements carried out by accredited bodies with no commercial relationship to Sept Tools.
For a contracts director or safety manager, this is the only proof that matters.
HSG248 monitoring by a UKAS-accredited laboratory
HSG248 (Asbestos: The analysts' guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures) is the official Health and Safety Executive (HSE) protocol in the United Kingdom. It defines the methods for sampling, analysis, and clearance of work areas involving asbestos.
HSG248 air monitoring relies on three types of simultaneous samples taken during operations:
- Personal sample: an air pump is attached directly to the operator, in their breathing zone. It measures the worker's actual exposure for the entire duration of the operation.
- Near source sample: the sensor is positioned immediately beside the equipment, where fibre concentration is theoretically highest. This is the most demanding test.
- Field blank (site witness): a control filter is transported and handled on site without being exposed to air. It verifies that results are not skewed by contamination of the measuring equipment.
The LOQ (limit of quantification) is the minimum concentration the laboratory can measure with statistical reliability. When a result falls below the LOQ, it means the concentration was too low to quantify. In practice, this is the best possible outcome.
Field results measured on a real construction site
In October 2025, an independent British laboratory with UKAS accreditation number 2544 carried out full HSG248 monitoring during asbestos textured coating removal operations on a British hospital site.
| Measurement point | Result | UK regulatory threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Personal (operator) | 0.02 f/ml | 0.1 f/ml |
| Near source (equipment) | <0.010 f/ml (below LOQ) | 0.1 f/ml |
| Field blank (witness) | Compliant | n/a |
Laboratory conclusion: air test results satisfactory. The near source result below the LOQ is particularly significant: it confirms that captive extraction confines fibres directly at the point of contact.
Technical standards we design to
Sept Tools equipment is engineered to enable users to meet the following regulatory frameworks:
- Directive 2002/44/EC: hand-arm vibration exposure limit values. Our machines measure 0.35 m/s², 7 times below the exposure action value of 2.5 m/s².
- IP65: complete protection against dust ingress and water jets, per IEC 60529.
- HEPA H13: high-efficiency filter compliant with EN 1822, capturing 99.95% of particles at 0.3 microns.
- HSG248: HSE asbestos air monitoring protocol, used for field measurements.
- CAR 2012: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the UK regulatory framework for asbestos removal work.
- Decret 2012-639: French regulation on asbestos exposure risks.
Important clarification: Sept Tools does not manufacture an "asbestos-certified machine" in the UK or French regulatory sense. We provide a system (grinder + class H vacuum + methodology) whose performance has been validated by independent measurements under real conditions. Final regulatory compliance depends on implementation by a trained and licensed operator.
Frequently asked questions about certifications
What is a UKAS-accredited laboratory?
UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) is the national accreditation body for the UK. A UKAS-accredited laboratory has demonstrated technical competence, impartiality, and conformity to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Results produced by such a laboratory are recognised as reliable and legally defensible in the United Kingdom.
Are UKAS and COFRAC accreditations equivalent?
UKAS and COFRAC are both signatories of the mutual recognition agreements of the EA (European Accreditation) and ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation). A test report issued by a UKAS-accredited laboratory carries the same evidential value as a COFRAC report within the European framework.
What is the French equivalent of the HSG248 protocol?
In France, airborne asbestos fibre measurement is governed by the NF X 43-269 standard (META method, analytical transmission electron microscopy). The British HSG248 uses phase contrast optical microscopy (PCM). Both methods are complementary: HSG248 is the regulatory reference in the UK, META is the reference in France.
Why publish independent test results rather than internal testing?
Internal tests measure performance under conditions controlled by the manufacturer. Independent tests, carried out by an accredited laboratory on a real construction site with client operators, provide proof that the announced performance holds under field conditions. For a contracts director or safety manager, this is the only evidence that counts.
Product certification versus method certification: what is the difference?
Sept Tools does not sell a machine certified for asbestos in the UK regulatory sense (no such certification exists). What we provide is a system (grinder + class H vacuum + methodology) whose performance has been validated under real conditions by an independent accredited laboratory. Final regulatory compliance depends on implementation by a trained and licensed operator.
Need technical evidence for your specifications?
We share technical data and independent test reports with safety managers and principal contractors.