SOCOTEC Delivers Rapid Sample Testing Analysis for High-Value Property Insurance Claim, UK
SOCOTEC provided rapid 48-hour analytical testing to support the investigation of oil contamination at a high-value residential property in the UK. Accurate results enabled critical health, occupancy and insurance decisions under tight time constraints.
Key Information
- Project name : High-Value Residential Property Oil Contamination Investigation
- Client : ASP Environmental Limited
- Location: Confidential in UK
- Services provided : Rapid analytical testing (48-hour turnaround), oil contamination identification, VOC vapour analysis, compound-specific contamination testing, ongoing multi-year remediation support.
ASP Environmental Limited
Project Details
ASP Environmental Limited was engaged to investigate oil contamination at a prestigious £12 million residential property. The challenge was complex: dark, heavy oil was found in drainage systems and around a car pond, with no obvious contamination source. Vapours and odours detected inside the house raised immediate health concerns.
Insurance coverage determination depended on identifying the contamination source and type within an extremely tight 48-hour timeframe to determine if evacuation was necessary and enable insurance coverage decisions.
Key project elements included:
- Emergency response to potential health hazards.
- Investigation of contamination affecting drainage systems.
- Assessment of vapour impacts on a private basement golf collection room.
- Multi-year remediation project oversight.
ASP Environmental Limited was engaged to investigate oil contamination at a prestigious £12 million residential property. The challenge was complex: dark, heavy oil was found in drainage systems and around a car pond, with no obvious contamination source. Vapours and odours detected inside the house raised immediate health concerns.
Insurance coverage determination depended on identifying the contamination source and type within an extremely tight 48-hour timeframe to determine if evacuation was necessary and enable insurance coverage decisions.
Key project elements included:
- Emergency response to potential health hazards.
- Investigation of contamination affecting drainage systems.
- Assessment of vapour impacts on a private basement golf collection room.
- Multi-year remediation project oversight.
Comprehensive Analytical Support for Critical Decision-Making
SOCOTEC partnered with ASP Environmental Limited, leveraging a seven-year collaborative relationship to deliver immediate project mobilisation. Our mission was to provide rapid, accurate analysis to support critical insurance and health safety decisions.
Our work included:
- 48-hour expedited sample testing at SOCOTEC's Bretby laboratories.
- Bespoke analytical methods to identify specific contamination compounds.
- Contamination source verification through comprehensive oil analysis.
- VOC vapour distinction between contamination-related and unrelated sources.
- Risk assessment support enabling the homeowner to remain in the property during remediation.
- Ongoing analytical services for the multi-year remediation project.
The swift findings confirmed the contamination source and type, which was necessary for insurance determination, and identified that basement vapour readings were unrelated to the main contamination incident. This enabled a comprehensive risk assessment and allowed remediation to proceed over a 12-month timeline.
Delivering Confidence and Enabling Critical Decisions Under Pressure
SOCOTEC's involvement was instrumental in ensuring safe and informed decision-making throughout this complex environmental incident.
The team delivered :
Critical 48-hour turnaround with no delays in analytical services.
Accurate contamination identification supporting insurance coverage determination.
Risk-based assessment allowing occupancy during remediation.
Long-term partnership support across multiple years of ongoing remediation.
This project reinforces SOCOTEC's position as a trusted partner for time-sensitive environmental investigations, offering rapid analytical capabilities and technical excellence when it matters most.
"In the services we provide, we need to be confident in the data we work with, that it is reliable, and that the results are available as quickly as possible. With multi-million pound properties and high net worth individuals, as in this case, if you don't deliver each time, then the reality is you're not going to get the next big job. Working with Amy and the wider team at SOCOTEC UK & Ireland on this project was simple and straightforward. They helped us meet our tight target, and provided a level of high-quality data which enabled us to progress the project, and provide our client with the comfort of remaining in his home."
