Full Building Surveys - Asbestos
The team of chartered building surveyors or accredited/qualified experts specialise in delivering a building survey service tailor-made for you and your individual full structural survey requirements. Discover how our asbestos building surveys can help you with asbestos.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials due to its desirable properties, such as heat resistance, durability, and insulating capabilities. It was commonly used in the UK in various forms, including fibrous sheets, insulation boards, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and textured coatings
What are asbestos management surveys?
Asbestos management surveys are comprehensive inspections carried out by qualified professionals to assess the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a property. These asbestos management surveys are conducted to help property owners and managers effectively manage asbestos risks and ensure the safety of occupants and workers.
The primary objectives of an asbestos management survey are:
- Identification of the location, type, and condition of any ACMs present within the property.
- Sampling and analysis of suspected ACMs are found, and the surveyor may take representative samples for laboratory analysis.
- Risk assessment of the condition of identified ACMs and evaluation of the associated risk of fiber release.
- Management recommendations based on the survey findings, providing detailed recommendations on how to manage the identified ACMs effectively.
Why asbestos is dangerous?
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, microscopic fibres are released into the air. These fibres, when inhaled, can become lodged in the lungs and other organs, leading to long-term health problems.
Exposure to asbestos has been linked to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, which is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. These diseases can take several years or decades to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Due to the health hazards associated with asbestos, its use has been heavily regulated and restricted in the UK since the late 1990s.
How to remove asbestos?
If asbestos is found in your residential property or highlighted in asbestos reports for commercial property, there are specific steps that you must take as removing asbestos is a highly regulated process that should only be carried out by licensed professionals.
Engage a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor: It is crucial to hire a licensed asbestos removal contractor who has the necessary qualifications, experience, and equipment to safely handle asbestos removal. They should hold the appropriate licenses issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK.
Conduct a Risk Assessment and Preparation: The asbestos removal contractor will perform a thorough risk assessment of the site and develop a comprehensive plan for safe removal.
Implement Safety Measures: Before starting the removal process, the contractor will implement necessary safety measures to minimize the risk of asbestos fibres being released into the air.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The removal team will wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including disposable coveralls, respirators, gloves, and footwear, to protect themselves from asbestos exposure.
Wetting and Encapsulation: To minimize fibre release, the asbestos-containing materials are wetted down to prevent the release of loose fibres during removal. Encapsulation techniques may be used to secure the asbestos materials and prevent fibre release.
Removal and Packaging: The asbestos materials are carefully removed, ensuring minimal disturbance and breakage and are placed in containers specifically designed for asbestos disposal.
Decontamination: After the removal is complete, the work area and all equipment used are thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated.
Waste Disposal: Asbestos waste is considered hazardous and must be disposed of in accordance with relevant regulations. The licensed asbestos removal contractor will arrange for proper disposal at a licensed disposal facility.
It is vital to follow the above steps as asbestos can provide health issues for the public and workers, so remove MUST be carried out by a licensed professional.
Why Choose The Building Survey Service?
When using the building survey services, there are a number of things you can expect, including:
- Widely Recognised
- Extensive internal training and skill sharing
- High Levels of Professionalism
- Reliable & Communicative
- Extremely Knowledgeable
- Members of Several Awarding Bodies
- Happy Clients & Positive Reviews
- Located Near You
Professional Standards
Our panel of experts are regulated by the following regulatory bodies including but not limited to: the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), The Property Ombudsman (TPO), Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS), the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Get in Touch
If you are interested in a building survey, speak to one of the Chartered Building Surveyors and/or accredited/qualified specialists regarding building and renovation projects. Or, if you have any general queries about getting how a building survey can prepare you for building or renovation planning, please reach out to us.