Should Asbestos Surveys Be Renewed Every Three Years In Hampshire?

Asbestos was a highly popular building material in the UK until the 1990s. It was used in many building components, such as roofing sheets, insulation, cladding, pipes, and heating systems. However, asbestos can cause serious health problems, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Asbestos surveys are essential for identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings. The purpose of an asbestos survey is to locate asbestos-containing materials, assess their condition, and decide on the best course of action to control the risk of asbestos exposure. However, the question is, how often should asbestos surveys be renewed in Hampshire?

About Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is a professional asbestos survey company in Hampshire. We specialize in surveying, testing, and managing asbestos in commercial, industrial, and residential properties. Our team of experienced and qualified surveyors is trained to identify all types of ACMs, including those that are not obvious or visible.

We are registered with the Health and Safety Executive and hold the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations. Our aim is to provide high-quality asbestos services at affordable prices for our clients in Hampshire and the South East of England.

If you need an asbestos survey or have any questions about asbestos, please contact us on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected]. You can also visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-hampshire.co.uk for more information.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that are made up of thin, fibrous crystals. The three most common types of asbestos used in the UK are chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Asbestos was widely used in the UK construction industry from the 1950s until the 1990s.

Asbestos can cause serious health problems if it is inhaled or ingested. The fibers can become lodged in the lungs and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These diseases can take many years to develop, and there is no cure for them.

What Is An Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is an inspection of a property to identify and manage ACMs. Asbestos surveys are required by law under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for all non-domestic buildings, such as offices, schools, and hospitals, and for domestic buildings that are shared by more than one family, such as flats.

There are two types of asbestos surveys: Management surveys and Refurbishment/Demolition surveys. A Management survey is required to manage ACMs in a building. A Refurbishment/Demolition survey is required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out.

A Management survey involves inspecting all accessible areas of a property to identify ACMs. This survey is non-destructive and requires minimal disturbance to the building fabric. During the survey, the surveyor will take samples of suspected ACMs and have them analyzed in a laboratory to confirm the presence and type of asbestos.

A Refurbishment/Demolition survey is more intrusive and involves destructive techniques to access areas that are not readily accessible. The surveyor will take extensive samples of all suspected ACMs to determine their type, quantity, and condition. This survey is required to ensure that all ACMs are safely removed before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out.

Why Are Asbestos Surveys Necessary?

Asbestos surveys are necessary to identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with ACMs. These risks include the risk of asbestos exposure, which can cause serious health problems. Asbestos surveys are also required by law under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

The purpose of an asbestos survey is to locate ACMs, assess their condition, and decide on the best course of action to control the risk of asbestos exposure. The survey will create an asbestos register, which is a record of all the ACMs in the property. This register will be used to manage the ACMs until they are safely removed.

When Should Asbestos Surveys Be Renewed?

Asbestos surveys should be renewed when there is a change in the use or condition of a property or if there is reason to suspect that the original survey is no longer valid. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require a review of the asbestos register at least once every 12 months to ensure that it is up to date and accurate.

However, the regulations do not specify how often asbestos surveys should be renewed. Instead, they state that the asbestos register should be used to manage the risks associated with ACMs.

Some experts recommend that asbestos surveys should be renewed every three years as a general rule to ensure that the register is up to date and accurate. This recommendation is based on the fact that ACMs can deteriorate over time, and new ACMs can be installed or discovered.

Ultimately, the decision to renew an asbestos survey should be based on a risk assessment of the property and the management arrangements for ACMs. If the risk is low, and the management arrangements are effective, a three-year renewal may not be necessary.

Why Do Asbestos Surveys Need Reinspection Surveys?

Asbestos surveys may require reinspection surveys after refurbishment or demolition work has been carried out to ensure that all ACMs have been safely removed. Reinspection surveys are intrusive surveys that involve destructive techniques to access areas that were not accessible during the original survey.

Reinspection surveys are required to ensure that all ACMs have been safely removed, and the property is safe to occupy or demolish. The survey will create a new asbestos register that will reflect the changes made to the property.

Reinspection surveys may also be required if there is reason to suspect that the original survey is no longer valid. Reasons for this could include changes in the condition of the property, changes in the use of the property, or poor management of ACMs.

Conclusion

Asbestos surveys are essential to manage the risks associated with ACMs. They are required by law under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and should be carried out by a qualified and experienced surveyor.

Asbestos surveys should be renewed when there is a change in the use or condition of a property or if there is reason to suspect that the original survey is no longer valid. Reinspection surveys may also be required after refurbishment or demolition work has been carried out.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is a professional asbestos survey company in Hampshire. We specialize in surveying, testing, and managing asbestos in commercial, industrial, and residential properties. If you need an asbestos survey or have any questions about asbestos, please contact us on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected].