An asbestos survey is a comprehensive assessment carried out to identify the presence, location, quantity, and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building. These surveys are essential for ensuring the safety of occupants, workers, and the general public, as asbestos can pose serious health risks when disturbed. There are two main types of asbestos surveys, each designed for different purposes.
The first is a Management Survey, which is typically required for buildings that are still in use. Its purpose is to ensure that any asbestos present is properly managed and monitored to prevent accidental disturbance during everyday activities or routine maintenance. This type of survey is usually non-intrusive, involving visual inspections and limited sampling of suspect materials.
The second type is a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey, which is far more intrusive and is mandatory before any significant renovation or demolition work is carried out. This survey is designed to locate all ACMs that could be disturbed during such works. It involves destructive inspection techniques, as walls, ceilings, floors, and other structural elements may need to be opened up to check hidden areas. This helps prevent accidental exposure during construction activities.
The survey process includes a site visit by trained professionals who will inspect the building, collect samples of materials suspected to contain asbestos, and send them to a laboratory for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, a detailed asbestos survey report is produced. This report typically includes the location, extent, and type of asbestos found, its condition, and a risk assessment. It also provides recommendations on how to manage or remove the asbestos safely, which could include encapsulation, regular monitoring, or full removal by a licensed contractor.
Building owners, landlords or third-party property management companies are responsible for asbestos management within a property. Protection of occupants from risks of asbestos exposure is of key importance. Asbestos management is compulsory for all commercial premises which includes factories and shops. Other multi-occupancy premises that are being used for domestic purposes must also be surveyed in accordance with Control of Asbestos Regulations.
In the UK, the legal requirement to manage asbestos is set out in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. For non-domestic properties, there is a clear legal duty (Regulation 4) to identify, assess, and manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), which typically involves conducting an asbestos survey and keeping an up-to-date asbestos register. This applies to commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and any workplace built before 2000. In domestic properties, there is no legal requirement for a private homeowner to carry out an asbestos survey unless refurbishment or demolition work is planned. However, landlords and housing providers do have a legal duty to manage asbestos in communal areas of rented residential buildings (e.g. hallways, stairwells, plant rooms), and any contractor working in a domestic property must ensure ACMs are identified before starting work that could disturb them.
Asbestos is highly dangerous when its fibres are disturbed and become airborne. Once inhaled, these microscopic fibres can become lodged in the lungs or other tissues, leading to serious and often fatal health conditions, sometimes decades after exposure. People most at risk from asbestos exposure include construction workers, electricians, plumbers, decorators, and others involved in building maintenance or demolition, especially in older properties. Here are the main health risks of asbestos:
Keep in mind, Asbestos is only dangerous when disturbed e.g. during drilling, sanding, cutting, or demolition. If left intact and in good condition, it poses little immediate risk, but it must still be managed properly.
With extensive experience conducting asbestos surveys across a wide variety of properties, our skilled surveyors provide highly accurate assessments tailored to your needs. At KCS Electrics, our asbestos surveyors are not only fully qualified but also trained to carry out inspections in strict compliance with the Approved Code of Practice: Managing and Working with Asbestos. All our surveyors hold valid accreditation from recognized bodies, ensuring the credibility of our surveys and giving you complete peace of mind.