ASBESTOS SURVEY

An asbestos survey allows you to effectively manage asbestos containing materials (ACMs), to assess risk, and to develop a strategy should further refurbishment or demolition works become necessary.

Asbestos remains one of the most problematic health hazards in domestic, commercial, industrial and public buildings today. If in good condition and undisturbed it presents no risks. However, organisations need to take extreme care to comply with changing legislation when carrying out management reviews, remediation, demolition and monitoring.

As one of the foremost asbestos survey providers in the UK, our clients benefit from the following:

• High quality: Removal of all associated health and litigation risks that can occur as a result of a low quality asbestos survey.
• Independence: No association with asbestos removal contractors; thereby ensuring there is no bias in either surveying or monitoring.
• Accuracy: Excellent attention to detail and integrity in sample collection, as well as measurement and analysis.
• Accreditation: Our UKAS accreditation for Inspection and Testing meets ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 standards. Furthermore, our registrations with Achilles and The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) meet key industry requirements.

When do I need an asbestos survey?

If you own or have responsibility for a non-domestic property (such as a shop, office or industrial property) anywhere in the UK, built pre-2000, then you are required to have an asbestos management survey in place at all times.

In addition, if your property has previously been shown to contain asbestos, this survey has to be actioned accordingly and regularly re-inspected; normally on an annual basis.

Furthermore, if you have property which was constructed pre-2000 and plan to undertake refurbishment or demolition work, then you require a refurbishment and demolition survey. These are legislative requirements as laid down and monitored by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

At IOM, we provide both guidance and consultancy services specific to asbestos. Our Asbestos Services division is UK-wide and if you are in any doubt about your compliance or obligations to undertake an asbestos survey, simply contact us and we will be happy to further advise.

Which type of asbestos survey do I need?

Surveys vary significantly in terms of size and complexity. Both access and visibility can be simple or complex. Moreover, the presence of asbestos can vary depending on the age, structure and design of the property.

Our work includes management surveys, as well as refurbishment and demolition surveys. These survey types vary significantly and typically relate to ongoing monitoring requirements and structural change projects respectively. More information on both survey types can be found below.

Management surveys (Formerly type 2 asbestos surveys)

This is the core survey to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspected ACMs, in order to assess their condition and to provide a risk assessment on any disturbance. This is a minimally intrusive survey.

Refurbishment and demolition surveys (Formerly type 3 asbestos surveys)

This type of survey is required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out to a building. It is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs within the building or area. The survey will be intrusive and involve a degree of destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach.

Information By : IOM

Posted By : Commercial EPC London