Do I Need An Asbestos Survey In Devon?

If you own or manage a property in Devon or South West England, you may be wondering if you need an asbestos survey. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction materials until the 1980s. It was popular due to its strength and heat resistance, but it has since been found to be a serious health hazard. Asbestos fibres can cause a range of lung diseases and cancers, including mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer.

The dangers of asbestos mean that there are strict regulations in place surrounding its management and removal. As a property owner or manager, you have a duty to ensure the safety of anyone who comes into contact with your premises. This includes employees, residents, or members of the public. Failing to appropriately manage asbestos can result in hefty fines, legal action and even imprisonment.

Asbestos Survey Companies in Devon

One of the key steps in managing asbestos is to get an asbestos survey carried out. The survey will identify the presence, type, location and condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within your premises. A professional asbestos survey can help you to develop a plan for managing any ACMs present, whether thats through removal, encapsulation or ongoing monitoring.

If youre looking for an asbestos survey company in Devon, make sure you choose a reputable one. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we have years of experience carrying out surveys for a range of clients, from commercial businesses to private homeowners. We use P402 certified surveyors and follow the HSEs guidance on surveying and sampling strategies.

Types of Asbestos Survey

There are two main types of asbestos survey you could opt for in Devon: a management survey or a refurbishment/demolition survey. The type of survey you need will depend on the type and condition of your premises and the intended use of the property.

Management Survey

A management survey is the most common type of asbestos survey and is required if you are responsible for maintaining non-domestic premises. It involves a risk assessment of the building to locate any ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during normal activities.

A management survey will identify the location, extent and condition of any asbestos that could be disturbed during routine work. The survey aims to ensure that ACMs are properly managed so that they do not pose a risk to anyone who could come into contact with them.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

A refurbishment or demolition survey is required if you are planning any refurbishment or demolition works that will disturb the fabric of the building. It is a more intrusive type of survey and is designed to locate all ACMs within the parts of the building that are about to be disturbed.

A refurbishment or demolition survey will identify all ACMs that could be disturbed during the work, regardless of whether they will be removed or not. The survey aims to ensure that the information provided is robust enough to allow contractors to safely carry out their work.

Health and Safety

The main reason for carrying out an asbestos survey is to ensure health and safety. Asbestos-related diseases can take years, even decades to develop, but can have a devastating impact on anyone who comes into contact with them. Its important to remember that theres no safe level of exposure to asbestos, and that even a small amount can be dangerous.

As a property owner or manager, it is your responsibility to ensure that anyone who could come into contact with ACMs is protected. This includes your employees, residents, and anyone carrying out work on your premises. Failure to properly manage asbestos can result in legal action or even imprisonment.

Do I Really Need An Asbestos Survey?

If youre still not sure if you need an asbestos survey, here are a few things to consider:

Age of Premises

If your building was constructed before the year 2000, theres a chance it contains asbestos. Asbestos was widely used in construction materials until it was banned in 1999, so any building constructed before this point could potentially contain ACMs.

Type of Premises

Some types of buildings are more likely to contain asbestos than others. For example, industrial buildings, schools, hospitals and commercial properties are all more likely to contain ACMs due to the use of asbestos in construction materials. However, asbestos can be found in any type of building.

Planned Works

If youre planning any works on your building, you need to ensure that you know the location, type and condition of any ACMs on your premises. This will ensure that you can put in place appropriate measures to manage the asbestos and protect anyone who could come into contact with it.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we understand the importance of managing asbestos safely and effectively. We provide a range of asbestos services to clients in Devon and South West England, including asbestos survey management and removal.

Our experienced surveyors are P402 certified and follow the HSEs guidance on surveying and sampling strategies. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, and well work with you to ensure that you have all the information you need to manage any ACMs present in your building.

If youre based in Devon or the surrounding areas and need an asbestos survey or asbestos removal, get in touch with us today. You can call us on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected]. For more information, visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-devon.co.uk.

Conclusion

As a property owner or manager in Devon, its important to ensure you know the location and condition of any asbestos-containing materials on your premises. An asbestos survey can help you to identify any ACMs and develop a plan for managing them effectively. Failure to manage asbestos appropriately can result in hefty fines, legal action, and even imprisonment.

If youre planning any works on your building or are responsible for maintaining non-domestic premises, get in touch with Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon today. We offer professional asbestos surveys and removals and can provide you with all the information you need to manage asbestos safely and effectively.