Re-evaluation of university buildings

This information portal is regularly updated and discloses current measurement results, medical and safety information, an overview of current legal regulations, information on test procedures and FAQs. Furthermore, contact information for all relevant contact persons are in the right column.

13 February 2020 – Contamination testing in the toilets on level C5

Before starting repairs on the drainage in the men’s toilet in C 568, the room was tested for asbestos contamination. The technical experts from SakostaCAU took samples of material from the tiles on the floor and walls for analysis (grout, tile cement, paper under the tiles).

Results:

The analysis revealed that the samples of materials taken from the part of the floor where repairs are planned, do not contain asbestos.

However, the tile cement under the tiles on the walls in room C 568 does contain asbestos. Since part of the wall surface is open, the men’s toilet in C 568 has been temporarily closed as a precaution. The open surface was sealed with a protective film at the recommendation of SakostaCAU.

The University of Konstanz and the Vermögen und Bau office in Konstanz are now working with SakostaCAU to agree on the next steps to take. On this page, we will provide you further information and all the results of the testing soon.

17 July 2019 – Scientific Engineering Services: All work areas have been reopened

In coordination with the University of Konstanz and the technical experts from SakostaCAU, and after receiving the approval from the trade supervisory authority, representatives from the Konstanz office of Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg decided to seal the drill hole in the asbestos-containing “Promabest” wall between the metalworking and carpentry workshops and to have the affected rooms cleaned by specialists. After completing these tasks, clearance measurements were carried out. Based on the results of these measurements, technical experts recommended that both the metalworking and carpentry workshops could resume normal operations. As a result, all Scientific Engineering Services work areas were reopened.

These and neighbouring areas were closed as a precautionary measure after an external contractor drilled through an asbestos-containing “Promabest” wall between the metalworking and carpentry workshops while installing a radio system. Indoor air quality tests carried out by SakostaCAU showed a raised asbestos fibre concentration level in the metalworking and carpentry workshops. Contact samples from these rooms, however, confirmed that the room surfaces were not contaminated by asbestos. Additional measurements in the neighbouring work areas (precision mechanics, glass apparatus and mechanic service workshops as well as the materials store) showed that fibre concentrations did not exceed the safety limit. As a result, the university was already able to reopen these neighbouring areas on 5 July 2019.

Sealing, cleaning, and indoor air quality tests

To prepare for the sealing and cleaning measures in the metalworking and carpentry workshops to be carried out starting on 8 July 2019, specialists initially set up a so-called black area as a safety measure: a work area created through a safety partition with airlocks under negative pressure. This confined black area prevents asbestos fibres from reaching neighbouring rooms while sealing and cleaning work is being carried out in it. Technical experts from Howe then sealed the drill hole, cleaned the rooms and all work equipment. After this work had been completed, the technical experts from SakostaCAU carried out additional indoor air quality tests. These tests showed that fibre concentrations in these rooms did not exceed the safety limit. The experts confirmed that all criteria had been fulfilled and that the metalworking and carpentry workshops could resume normal operations.

The technical experts from SakostaCAU are currently drafting a detailed report that will include all measurement results. We will publish this report on this site.

Update: The final report containing all measurement results is now available (in German)

4 July 2019, 10:00 – Further indoor air quality test results: Precision mechanics, glass apparatus work areas and mechanic service as well as the materials store will reopen on 5 July 2019

In addition to carrying out asbestos contamination level measurements in the metalworking and carpentry workshops, further indoor air quality tests were carried out and further dust contact samples were collected in neighbouring work areas (precision mechanics, materials store) on Monday, 1 July 2019 in order to rule out possible asbestos contamination in these areas. The results of the indoor air quality tests are now available: none of the samples exceeded the lower limit of 500 fibres per cubic metre. Fortunately, all samples were therefore found to be negative. The results of the contact dust samples are expected during the second week of July 2019. Update: The final report containing all measurement results is now available (in German)

Since the indoor air quality tests are negative, technical experts have recommended that the precision mechanics work area be reopened on Friday, 5 July 2019. The glass apparatus and mechanic service work areas as well as the materials store can also be reopened on 5 July 2019.

Furthermore, the test results of the contact dust samples collected on 27 June 2019 in the metalworking and carpentry workshops are also available (see below). The contact dust sample collected directly at the drilling location was measured to contain 862 asbestos fibres. This result is linked to the sample’s close proximity to the drill hole in the wall. All other contact samples from the rooms were found to be negative, which means that there is no asbestos contamination on the surfaces of the rooms.

 1 July 2019, 16:00 – Further indoor air quality tests and contact dust samples in building W

The external contractor SakostaCAU carried out indoor air quality tests and collected contact dust samples to measure asbestos contamination levels in the metalworking workshop and two rooms of the carpentry workshop in the Scientific Engineering Service W building on Thursday, 27 June 2019 (see below).  Update: The final report containing all measurement results is now available (in German)

On Monday, 1 July, further indoor air quality tests were carried out and additional contact dust samples were collected in the aforementioned neighbouring work areas in order to rule out possible asbestos contamination. The test results are expected by Thursday, 4 July 2019 at the latest. You can find all results on this website.

Until the results are available, the neighbouring work areas in building W (precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, mechanic service) will remain closed as a precaution as well.

The background:

Mechanic work areas in the Scientific Engineering Services building were closed as a precaution after an external contractor drilled through a “Promabest” wall that contains “weakly” bound asbestos fibres. These areas include the carpentry, metalworking, precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, and mechanic service workshops.

28 June 2019, 16:45 – First indoor air quality test results from building W are available

The external contractor SacostaCAU carried out indoor air quality tests and collected contact dust samples to measure asbestos contamination levels in the metalworking workshop and two rooms of the carpentry workshop in the Scientific Engineering Service W building on Thursday, 27 June 2019 (see below).  The results of the contact dust samples are expected on 2 July 2019. Update: The final report containing all measurement results is now available (in German)

The indoor air quality test results from the metalworking workshop (room W 523) show a high fibre concentration (around 2,300 fibres per cubic metre). The results for one of the carpentry workshop rooms show a medium-range fibre concentration (about 1,000 fibres per cubic metre in room W 532). The results for the second room show a low fibre concentration (about 300 fibres per cubic metre in room W 534). The safety limit of 500 fibres per cubic metre has thus been exceeded in two rooms. Test results above this limit necessitate the implementation of safety measures to protect the room users.

Therefore, both the metalworking workshop and two rooms of the carpentry workshop will remain closed and may not be entered until further notice. The neighbouring work areas in building W (precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, mechanic service) were also closed as a precaution. Relevant measures are currently being reviewed and coordinated with experts from SacostaCAU and representatives from Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg (the university buildings are state property and any construction work at the university must be coordinated by Vermögen und Bau). We will continue to regularly update you regarding all necessary measures, test results, next steps and especially the relevant timetable via this website.

Staff members working in the affected work areas will be personally informed about how the closure of their work areas will affect their work duties and responsibilities during this time. Please contact your work group leaders or your head of department Lothar Pinno in regard to work-related questions. The safety engineers of the University of Konstanz, Dr Heiko Hofmann and Wolfgang Hellstern, as well as the in-house physician Heike Strauß, are available to answer any questions you may have about occupational health and safety (see contact box to the right).

The background:

Tests to measure asbestos contamination levels became necessary after an external contractor drilled through a “Promabest” wall – containing “loosely” bound asbestos fibres – between the carpentry and metalworking workshops while installing a radio system at a height of four metres on the weekend of 22/23 June 2019. The carpentry and metalworking workshops as well as neighbouring work areas in building W (precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, mechanic service) were closed as a precaution.

27 June 2019, 13:30 – Work areas in building W closed as a precaution

On Thursday, 27 June 2019, parts of the Scientific Engineering Services building – the carpentry, metalworking and fine mechanics workshops – were closed as a precaution. This is a precautionary measure with regard to a possible release of asbestos fibres in this building. The university is currently clarifying this matter. This measure became necessary after an external contractor drilled through a wall while installing a radio system at a height of four metres on the weekend of 22/23 June 2019. This wall or wall partition – consisting of "Promabest” material with “loosely” bound asbestos fibres – is located on level W 5 between the carpentry and metalworking workshops.

Tests are being carried out today (27 June 2019) in building W to measure asbestos contamination levels. The external contractor SacostaCAU started to carry out indoor air measurements and collect contact dust samples at 14:30. The indoor air test results are expected by Monday, 1 July 2019 and will be published here. The contact sample results should follow on Tuesday, 2 July 2019.

Should you have any questions, please contact Dr Heiko Hofmann or Wolfgang Hellstern, safety engineers at the University of Konstanz (please see contact boxes).

The background:

In recent months, the university has been re-evaluated according to asbestos guidelines. These inspections and re-evaluations are being carried out regularly in buildings that were constructed in the 1970s and early 1980s, which include many of those at our university, and for which asbestos may have been used.

All information on the re-evaluations of the university is regularly posted on this website. This information portal is regularly updated and discloses current measurement results, medical and safety information, an overview of current legal regulations, information on test procedures and FAQs. Furthermore, the portal provides you with the aforementioned contact information for all relevant contact persons.

17 May 2019 – Information event on the re-evaluation of the university buildings as per asbestos guidelines

An information event on the re-evaluation of the university buildings as per asbestos guidelines will take place on Wednesday, 5 June 2019, in the A 703 lecture hall from 10:15 to 11:45.

All staff members and students with questions about the re-evaluation and respective results are welcome to attend. Dr Heiko Hofmann, safety engineer at the University of Konstanz, will inform you about the asbestos register, while our in-house physician, Dr Anne Liepert, will answer your questions about relevant medical aspects. Mr. Tilo Prautzsch, Director of Facility Management, will review the planned renovation measures.

2 May 2019

Based on the re-evaluation of the university buildings according to asbestos guidelines, prioritized measures are currently being implemented in all rooms and other indoor spaces classified as priority level 1 and requiring “immediate attention”. In coordination with both technical experts and Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg (the university buildings are state property), the following measures are being taken:

• All rooms and other indoor spaces with priority level 1 and determined to require immediate attention are being systematically examined by experts. The company SakostaCAU (Stuttgart) was commissioned for this purpose.
• Potential immediate measures are to be directly implemented by the company HOWE Umwelttechnik (Kirchheim unter Teck).
• SakostaCAU will draw up a renovation plan for the affected areas by mid-June 2019.

If you use a room or other indoor space identified as priority level 1 with “immediate attention required”, feel free to contact the University of Konstanz safety engineer, Dr Heiko Hofmann, or colleagues from Facility Management with your questions and concerns. The contact information is located on the right side of the page.

Experts will then carefully examine your rooms and other relevant indoor spaces before discussing further steps and relevant measures with you.

About the classification "priority level 1 with immediate attention required":

• "Priority level 1" means that renovation measures must be initiated within a three year period.
• The reference to “immediate attention required” means that precautionary measures must also be taken to prevent the potential release of fibres.
• It does not mean that asbestos has actually been released into the indoor air. None of the samples (indoor air quality measurements, contact samples, etc.) taken from areas with this classification and recently tested did not exceed the lower limit of 500 fibres/m³. Fortunately, all samples were therefore found to be negative.

30 April 2019

In April 2019, the company SakostaCAU tested the air quality and contact samples from the corridor on level K2 as part of the re-evaluation of the university according to asbestos guidelines. The results are now available: None of the samples exceeded the lower limit of 500 fibres/m3. Fortunately, all samples were therefore found to be negative.

The corridor on level K2 and all associated rooms were closed as a precautionary measure while the tests were carried out. This affected in particular the exercise rooms used by the university’s Academic Sports Service. Once the results were announced, the corridor and the connected rooms were re-opened for regular use. Should you have any questions, please contact Dr Heiko Hofmann, safety engineer at the University of Konstanz. Please contact the Academic Sports Service if you have any questions about the affected sports classes.

12 April 2019 – Continuation of the re-evaluation of the university buildings 2019

During the 2018 calendar weeks 43, 46 and 48, inspections were carried out in University of Konstanz buildings, which, due to the year they were constructed in, may contain asbestos.

The re-evaluations, carried out by Arcadis Germany from Stuttgart according to asbestos guidelines, allow the university to update the asbestos evaluation results from 2012/2013.

These re-evaluations are carried out at regular intervals in accordance with the legal requirements of the Gefahrstoffverordnung (hazardous materials directive) in conjunction with the Landesbauordnung Baden-Württemberg (state building regulations). This allows the University of Konstanz to update its list of asbestos-contaminated sites.

4 October 2018

The University of Konstanz’s list of asbestos contaminated sites is constantly being updated. From 22 October through the end of December 2018, initial inspections are scheduled to take place in buildings that, based on the year they were constructed, could potentially contain asbestos. Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg is responsible for the re-evaluation of the university’s buildings. Please make sure these rooms are accessible during the inspection period. The university’s list of asbestos contaminated sites will be updated afterwards. If you have questions regarding the upcoming inspection, please contact the Occupational Safety, Health and Waste Disposal team or Henrik Terwellen.  

15 August 2018

The contact samples collected on Thursday, 9 August 2018 by z.e.t. consult have been evaluated. The result: Only one of the 39 samples tested positive for asbestos. The sample in question is KN/S13, which was taken from the carpet in the corridor in front of room H116. 

Artificial mineral fibres were found in rooms H106 to H114. Artificial mineral fibres are generally classified as being less dangerous than asbestos.

7 August 2018 – Current information regarding contamination testing in building H

On Thursday, 2 August 2018, tests were carried out to measure contamination levels, especially in regard to asbestos, in rooms H 115 and H 116 (one office and one laboratory) in H building. These included two indoor air quality measurements, one material sample as well as ten contact samples. Fortunately, the indoor air quality measurements have confirmed that the concentration of asbestos fibre in the air in both rooms falls below the legal limit. The results of the contact samples show that the tested objects in room H 115 were covered with a high number of fibres per square centimeter (see lab protocol in the information portal). Due to their duty of care, the University of Konstanz and Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg (the university buildings are the property of the state of Baden-Württemberg have decided to close the lower level of H building today in order to collect additional and randomised contact samples. These samples will be adequate, since the air measurements in both rooms were found to have contamination levels below the legal limit. Furthermore, the expert from z.e.t.-consult assume that fibres are only found in layers of dust. In order to rule this out, further testing will be carried out.

19 July 2016 – Updated information on contamination testing carried out in building L (chemistry)

Further tests to check contamination levels in building L are now complete. Dust and surface contact samples from hollow ceiling spaces, jacket pipes as well as the lab drain were examined.

17 June 2016 – Information regarding the renovation of building M (biology)

The indoor air quality measurements carried out in building M in calendar week 23 have confirmed that the room air has not been contaminated with asbestos or artificial mineral fibres. At all control points, the concentration of asbestos fibres in the air was below the binding target limit of 500 fibres per cubic metre.

31 July 2013 – Continuation of the re-evaluation of the university buildings as per the asbestos regulations (in German only)

Part 2 (buildings K to N, P, Q1 and Q2 as well as R to U and W)

From October 2012 to the end of June 2013, more university buildings were re-evaluated in accordance with the asbestos regulations. In this context, all remaining buildings were tested for materials containing asbestos. These included the following buildings: K to N, P, Q1 and Q2 as well as R to U and W. To view the results, please click on the link above.

5 October 2012 –Information regarding the re-evaluation of university buildings X1 to X5 (in German only)

The full results for the first part of the re-evaluation are now available. After concluding their tests and publishing the final report on buildings A to H as well as V in the autumn of 2012, z.e.t.-consult has now concluded its final report for buildings X 1 to X5 in the Sonnenbühl area.

30 March 2012 – Re-evaluation of the university buildings as per the asbestos regulations (in German only)

(Buildings C, D, E, F, G, H, A, B, V)

When we first got in touch to inform you about the library closure and the tests and evaluations that were due to be carried out, we also told you that Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg (Konstanz) commissioned a re-evaluation of the university buildings as per the asbestos regulations, which was carried out between June 2011 and March 2012. The results have now been made available. You can find them by clicking on the link included above.