Surveys
Asbestos surveys in Plymouth
Planning building work on an older property, or responsible for a non-domestic building? Send one enquiry and a licensed local contractor will talk you through which survey you need.
The two main types of asbestos survey
HSE's guidance describes two main survey types. The guidance surveyors follow is HSE's Asbestos: The survey guide (HSG264).
Management survey
For the normal occupation and use of a building. Its main purpose is to let the person responsible produce an asbestos register: a record of where asbestos is or may be, and its condition. It covers areas that normal occupation or maintenance could disturb.
Refurbishment and demolition survey
Needed before major refurbishment or demolition. It has to find asbestos hidden in the building fabric, so it is intrusive: walls, floors and ceilings may be opened up, and HSE says the area must be vacated during the survey. Asbestos found must be removed, as far as reasonably practicable, before the work starts.
Source: HSE: arrange an asbestos survey.
Do I need one?
Homeowners
If your home was built before 2000 and you're planning work that breaks into the fabric, such as removing walls or ceilings, rewiring, replacing a kitchen or bathroom, or opening up a loft, it's sensible to find out what's there first. HSE says buildings built after 2000 are unlikely to contain asbestos. If it's just one material you're unsure about, testing a sample may be enough.
Landlords, businesses and managers of blocks of flats
HSE says the legal duty to manage asbestos applies to all non-domestic premises, such as shops and factories, and to the common parts of multi-occupancy domestic buildings, such as purpose-built flats. The dutyholder can be the owner, the landlord, or whoever is responsible for maintenance and repair. A management survey is the usual starting point for an asbestos register.
Sources: HSE: duty to manage asbestos; HSE introduction to asbestos.
Choosing a surveyor
- HSE says a refurbishment or demolition survey must be done by a competent surveyor, someone with training and experience who recognises their limits.
- HSE strongly recommends accredited surveying organisations. UKAS is the recognised accreditation body for asbestos inspection bodies in Great Britain.
- Samples should be analysed by an accredited laboratory.
When the contractor contacts you, it's reasonable to ask how they'll carry out the survey, who will analyse the samples, and what the report will include.
Source: HSE: arrange an asbestos survey.
What to have ready when they call
- Roughly when the property was built, if you know.
- What work you're planning, and which rooms or areas.
- Whether the property is a house, a flat, or commercial premises.
- When you need the survey by, for example before a builder starts.
Need an asbestos survey in Plymouth?
Tell us what you need in about two minutes. We pass your enquiry to one HSE-licensed local contractor, who will contact you to discuss it. No obligation, and we never sell your details to lists.