Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials due to its insulating and fire-resistant properties. However, exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 stipulates that if you own or manage a non-domestic property built before 2000, you have a legal duty to manage asbestos on your premises. To meet this requirement, you need to identify and assess the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) by conducting an asbestos survey.

An asbestos survey will determine the type, location, and condition of the ACMs in your building. There are two types of asbestos surveys:

• Management Survey: This survey is intended to identify and manage ACMs that are likely to be encountered during normal occupancy and use of the building.

• Refurbishment/Demolition Survey: This survey is required when the building is undergoing major refurbishment or demolition. It aims to locate and identify all ACMs present in the building, so that they can be safely removed before the refurbishment or demolition starts.