Asbestos Management & Surveys
If you are the owner of a non-domestic property, Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires asbestos to be identified and assessed by having an Asbestos Survey. Management of any asbestos can then be prioritised based on any changes to the property.
Asbestos Information
Employers who occupy a building have a legal duty to manage the risks associated with asbestos within their premises.
The key to effective asbestos management is identifying the location, type, condition, and extent of any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) within a building. To comply with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance note HSG264, an asbestos survey must be carried out.
There are two main types of asbestos survey, and the correct one will depend on the intended use of the building:
- Management Survey – for ongoing occupancy and routine maintenance.
- Refurbishment/Demolition Survey – for buildings undergoing major works or demolition.
Asbestos Management Survey
The purpose of a Management Survey is to ensure that Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are properly managed during the day-to-day occupancy and use of a premises. This essential asbestos survey must be carried out by a trained surveyor, who may also arrange for sample testing where necessary.
A Management Survey aims to:
- Ensure no one is at risk from the continued presence of ACMs in the building or within equipment.
- Confirm that ACMs remain in a safe, manageable condition.
- Prevent accidental disturbance of ACMs.
The survey will identify ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during routine activities, maintenance work, or the installation of new equipment. It involves minor intrusion and limited asbestos disturbance to access materials. This process assesses the potential for ACMs to release fibres if disturbed and provides guidance to the client, for example, in prioritising any remedial work.
Inner City Environmental (ICE) works with UKAS-accredited asbestos survey specialists to carry out these surveys on our behalf, giving our clients complete peace of mind and compliance with UK asbestos regulations.
Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
An Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey (R&D Survey) is a fully intrusive inspection that uses destructive methods to uncover the extent of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) within the structure of a building. This survey identifies materials that may be hidden in difficult-to-access areas such as roof voids, wall interiors, solid floors, and undercrofts.
This type of survey is mandatory if you are planning extensive refurbishment works or full or partial demolition.
If demolition occurs with asbestos still present, fibres will be released into the atmosphere, posing a serious health risk. The resulting waste material becomes contaminated and hazardous. If not disposed of correctly, demolition contractors will refuse to proceed without a valid asbestos survey and removal by a licensed contractor. Failure to comply can lead to HSE prosecution.
For more details, see our Additional Information on Asbestos Surveys.
