How Often Should An Asbestos Survey Be Completed In Hampshire

Asbestos was a widely used material in the construction industry up until the 1990s, primarily due to its fire-resistant properties. However, it was later discovered that asbestos can cause a variety of health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Given the hazardous nature of asbestos, it's crucial for property owners to conduct asbestos surveys periodically. In particular, it's crucial to test buildings constructed prior to 2000, as they're more likely to contain asbestos. In this article, we'll discuss how often an asbestos survey should be conducted in Hampshire.

Who are Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire?

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is an asbestos survey company located in Hampshire, South East England. The company specializes in providing affordable and reliable asbestos removal services to property owners and contractors in the area.

Their team of trained professionals operates throughout Hampshire and has extensive experience in identifying and removing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) from commercial and residential properties.

You can register to use their services by contacting them either through their phone number, 01962 458066, or their email [email protected]. Alternatively, you can visit their website, affordable-asbestos-removal-hampshire.co.uk, for more details on their services.

Why is an Asbestos Survey Necessary?

Asbestos is known to create continuous health threats when exposed to humans. Due to the high risk associated with exposure to asbestos, it's vital that building contractors make periodic checks for the presence of ACMs within their buildings.

A survey is a comprehensive examination of a building, which typically involves the sampling and analysis of suspected asbestos-containing materials to identify and confirm the presence or absence of asbestos. The survey report records the location, type, and condition of any identified ACMs.

The purpose of the asbestos survey is to aid property owners and building managers in creating an asbestos management plan that ensures the safe working and living conditions are maintained for individuals within the building.

An asbestos survey must be completed by a qualified surveyor who is trained and equipped to recognize materials that might contain asbestos. It is also essential to ensure that the surveyor is impartial and does not have a vested interest in the outcome of the survey.

Types of Asbestos Survey

There are two main types of asbestos surveys: management surveys and refurbishment/demolition surveys.

Management Survey

The primary aim of an asbestos management survey is to provide the property owner or manager with comprehensive information pertaining to the presence or absence of ACMs within their building. Its purpose is to help manage the risks that may arise from the presence of asbestos in a building.

A management survey is not intended to identify the presence of ACMs that may be hidden within a building's structure. Instead, it is intended to locate and record the condition of ACMs that are likely to be encountered in routine maintenance and minor repairs.

A management survey should be updated regularly, usually every 12 months, to account for any alterations to the building and to keep the asbestos register up-to-date.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

Refurbishment/demolition surveys are required when there is a planning to carry out any sort of renovation or demolition works to a building that may disturb the fabric of the building. Unlike the management survey, which focuses on the preservation of the asbestos in the building, the refurbishment/demolition survey aims to identify all ACMs within the building, regardless of their condition or accessibility.

The refurbishment/demolition survey is carried out by surveyors who have sufficient training and experience to undertake invasive work. This type of survey is more extensive than the management survey and includes destructive testing to ascertain the presence of ACMs that may be inside inaccessible areas, such as behind walls or under floorboards.

How Often Should An Asbestos Survey Be Conducted?

According to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the frequency of asbestos surveys varies depending on the type of property and the anticipated usage of the building.

Commercial Property

For commercial property, the law requires that an asbestos survey is completed before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out.

The property owner or manager should always ensure that the asbestos register is updated regularly, typically every 12 months, to account for any existing asbestos or newly discovered ACMs.

Residential Property

For residential property, no specific obligation for asbestos surveys exists. However, if the property owner intends to sell their property, they should conduct a management survey to determine the presence of any ACMs in the building.

It's advisable for the property owner to obtain a management survey from a reputable company, such as Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire. The surveyor will investigate the existence of asbestos-containing materials and prepare a detailed report outlining the location, extent, and present condition of any ACMs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's essential to carry out asbestos surveys periodically, particularly for buildings constructed before 2000. While the frequency of asbestos surveys varies depending on the type of property and intended usage, it's generally advisable to carry out a management survey every 12 months for commercial properties, and to undertake a management survey for residential properties in preparation for a sale.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is a reputable asbestos survey and removal company located in Hampshire. Their team of experienced professionals specializes in providing efficient and affordable asbestos services to property owners and contractors throughout the area. Register with them today to keep your building safe and free from hazardous ACMs.