Asbestos_Survey is sometimes referred to as Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Safety, Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Risk Assessment.

Asbestos Surveys Across the UK

What Is Asbestos?

Though three types have been widely used in building materials there are actually types of asbestos. The main ones are Chrysotile (white), Amosite (brown) and Crocidolite (blue). Blue is usually the most dangerous followed by brown and then white.

The trade and use of asbestos has been restricted or banned in many jurisdictions in the UK. Asbestos is basically a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used for their desirable physical properties. Though mined from rock, when broken down it breaks apart into tiny fibres.

Asbestos Legislation

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Reg 4) places an explicit duty on those responsible (the duty holder) for any commercial premises to identify and manage asbestos containing materials that may be present in the property.

A risk assessment must be undertaking by employeers for employees when work is likely to involve asbestos. This should include a plan of how the work is to be carried out as well as outline, and provide solutions to, any asbestos-related issues that may occur. All information must be kept up-to-date and available to anyone who may work or disturb the asbestos containing material (ACM).

Where Can Asbestos Be Found?

• Toilet cisterns can contain asbestos-reinforced resin materials
• Insulation in floor and wall cavities, lofts and insulating boards
• Artex or similar decorative / textures coating on ceilings and sometimes walls
• External / internal wall panelling particularly around windows
• Water tanks can be made from asbestos cement and is often found in pre-1980 houses
• Flash Guards on fuse wires and panelling behind fuse boxes
• Sprayed fire insulation
• Floor tiles, mastics and sealants
• Pipe works, boilers, ducts and heat exchanges

What's Involved In An Asbestos Survey?

For a refurbishment/demolition, or type 3, survey, a more destruction method is used over a management survey, as the name suggests. One of our asbestos surveyors will use means such as drilling floor slabs or knocking through walls to access areas where planned work will be undertaken. This ensures that when the building is converted of knocked down that the next team in won't risk running into any asbestos that could be hazardous to their health and slow the project.

An asbestos management, or type 2, survey will have one of surveyors taken samples of suspected asbestos throughout a building before sending them off to a lab. Whilst at the property, each room and the materials used will be noted. If a room is locked or otherwise inaccessible this will be noted too as there will remain a possibility of asbestos within.

Surveyor Qualifications

We're qualified in asbestos refurbishment, management and demolition surveys for industrial, commercial and domestic buildings covering the UK. Where required can also undertake a Commercial EPC in a cost-effective package.

Each member of our asbestos team are holders of the BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society) P402 qualification - the statutory proficiency certificate in 'Building Surveys and Bulk Sampling for Asbestos'. Our experienced and professional consultants are here to help so if you have any queries please call us on 0800 043 8100 or send your query to Asbestos-Survey@e2consultants.co.uk.