Can A Survey Discover Asbestos In Hampshire?

Asbestos is a hazardous material often found in buildings constructed before 2000. It was widely used for insulation purposes, roofing materials, and other building products. When disturbed or damaged, asbestos releases tiny fibers into the air, which can be inhaled and cause various health problems. Therefore, it is critical to identify any asbestos materials in buildings and manage them safely.

In Hampshire and South East England, Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire offers comprehensive asbestos survey services to help property owners and managers assess the asbestos content in buildings. Our team of qualified and experienced professionals uses the latest equipment and techniques to locate and sample materials suspected of containing asbestos. We analyze the samples in UKAS-accredited laboratories to determine the type and extent of asbestos present, and provide detailed reports with recommendations for managing or removing the materials.

In this landing page, we will explore the importance of asbestos surveys, the types of asbestos materials commonly found in Hampshire buildings, the health risks of asbestos exposure, and our survey process.

Why Do You Need An Asbestos Survey?

If you own or manage a building in Hampshire, you have a legal duty to manage the asbestos materials present in it, according to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. This duty includes locating and identifying any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assessing their condition and risk level. An asbestos survey is a vital tool for fulfilling this duty and ensuring the safety of occupants and visitors.

An asbestos survey can help you:

• Identify all ACMs in the building, including those hidden or hard to reach, such as in ceiling voids, under floors, and inside walls.
• Assess the condition and extent of the ACMs and their potential to release fibers, based on factors such as age, damage, and friability.
• Prioritize the ACMs for management or removal based on their risk level, location, accessibility, and usage.
• Develop a written asbestos management plan that includes a risk assessment, the location and condition of each ACM, and the measures to control or remove them.
• Provide relevant information to workers, contractors, and other parties who may come into contact with the ACMs, such as through refurbishment or demolition works.

To comply with the regulations, you should always hire a licensed and qualified asbestos surveyor like Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, who has the necessary training, knowledge, and insurance to carry out surveys to the required standards. Failure to do so can result in penalties, legal action, and harm to human health.

What Are Asbestos Materials?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that contains strong and durable fibers that resist heat, fire, and chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos has been used extensively in construction, shipbuilding, engineering, and manufacturing industries for many decades. However, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure were not fully recognized until the 1960s and 1970s, when thousands of workers and residents exposed to asbestos began to suffer from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases.

As a result, the use and manufacture of asbestos products have been banned in the UK since 1999. However, many older buildings still contain asbestos materials that were installed before the ban or imported from abroad. These materials can pose a risk to anyone who disturbs or damages them, especially if they are not properly managed or removed.

The most common asbestos materials found in buildings include:

• Asbestos insulation board (AIB), used for fire protection, insulation, and partition walls. AIB can be found in suspended ceilings, service ducts, and lift shafts.
• Asbestos cement (AC), used for roofing, cladding, flues, and gutters. AC can be found in corrugated sheets, tiles, and pipe insulation.
• Sprayed asbestos, used for insulation of steelwork, ceilings, and walls. Sprayed asbestos can be found in boiler rooms, plant rooms, and ducts.
• Textured coatings, used for decorative purposes on walls and ceilings. Textured coatings can be found in public buildings, schools, and hospitals.

Asbestos materials can also be present in the form of loose-fill insulation, floor tiles, window seals, and some electronic components. The presence and condition of asbestos materials in your building depend on several factors, such as the type of construction, age, usage, and maintenance history.

What Are The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos fibers are invisible, odorless, and tasteless, which makes them hard to detect with the naked eye. When asbestos materials are disturbed or damaged, they release millions of tiny fibers into the air, which can be inhaled and deposited in the lungs and digestive system. Over time, these fibers can cause various health problems, ranging from mild respiratory symptoms to fatal diseases.

The health risks of asbestos exposure depend on several factors, such as the type and amount of fibers inhaled, the duration and frequency of exposure, and personal predisposition. However, some of the most common asbestos-related diseases include:

• Asbestosis, a non-cancerous scarring of the lungs that can cause breathlessness, coughing, and reduced lung function.
• Lung cancer, a malignancy of the lung tissue that can cause chest pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
• Mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart that is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-related diseases can take years or even decades to develop, and there is no known cure for them yet. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself and others from asbestos exposure is to prevent it by managing or removing the ACMs in your building.

Our Asbestos Survey Process

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, we offer two types of asbestos surveys: Management Survey and Refurbishment and Demolition Survey.

A Management Survey is the standard type of survey required for all non-domestic buildings, including the common areas of multi-occupancy residential buildings. The aim of the Management Survey is to locate and assess the presence and condition of any ACMs that may be disturbed or damaged during normal occupancy and maintenance of the building.

A Refurbishment and Demolition Survey is required before any refurbishment or demolition works that may disturb or damage the building fabric. The aim of this survey is to locate and identify all ACMs that may be disturbed or damaged during the works, and to recommend their safe removal or encapsulation.

Our survey process includes the following steps:

• Initial consultation: We will discuss your needs and requirements, and provide a free, no-obligation quote for the survey.
• Site visit: Our surveyor will visit your building and conduct a visual inspection to identify any visible ACMs and potential sources of asbestos exposure.
• Sampling: If necessary, our surveyor will carefully take small samples of suspect materials and send them to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.
• Analysis: The laboratory will analyze the samples using polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the type and extent of asbestos present. The results will be included in the survey report.
• Report: We will provide you with a detailed report that includes the location and condition of all identified ACMs, the risk assessment, and the recommendations for managing or removing the ACMs. We can also provide a written asbestos management plan if required.

Contact Us

If you need an asbestos survey in Hampshire or South East England, don't hesitate to contact Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire today. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing affordable, timely, and reliable asbestos survey services to help you comply with the regulations and protect your health and safety. Call us on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected] to book a survey or request more information. Visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-hampshire.co.uk to learn more about our services and read our customer reviews.