How Often Should An Asbestos Survey Be Completed In Devon

If you own or are in charge of managing a property in Devon, it is crucial to understand asbestos and how it impacts your property. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in buildings in the UK before its ban in 1999 due to its linked health risks, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. It is particularly problematic if it becomes disturbed, as it releases fibres into the air that can be inhaled.

If your property was built before the year 2000, it is essential to be aware of the potential for asbestos-containing materials. Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is an asbestos survey company located within Devon and South West England, specialising in asbestos surveying and asbestos removal solutions.

In this article, we'll explore the importance of asbestos surveys, the different types of asbestos surveys available, how often you should conduct an asbestos survey and the benefits of creating an asbestos management plan.

The importance of an asbestos survey

The primary reason to conduct an asbestos survey is to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assess the risk associated with them. An asbestos survey is performed by experienced asbestos surveyors who will examine the building's structure and take samples of any materials suspected of containing asbestos. Once the samples are taken, they are tested in a laboratory to confirm if they contain asbestos.

If ACMs are identified in the survey sample, it is the responsibility of the building owner to ensure that the asbestos is safely contained or removed. An asbestos survey is a legal requirement in most situations when a building is being demolished, renovated or maintained. It is a legal responsibility to follow the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which enforce the duty to manage asbestos in buildings and identify any risks.

Different types of asbestos survey

There are two main types of asbestos surveys:

Management Survey

A Management Asbestos Survey is a type of asbestos survey used to identify materials believed to contain asbestos within a building or a specific area of a building. Its purpose is to create an asbestos register, which is a detailed record of where asbestos-containing materials are located within a building. The asbestos register is an essential tool for future management and maintenance of the property.

The results of the management survey help to understand the risks associated with asbestos and create an implementation plan to manage and control the asbestos. Once the asbestos register is created, it should be updated periodically according to legal regulations and record changes in the management plan.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

A Refurbishment asbestos survey is conducted when refurbishment or demolition work is planned for a building. It is a detailed survey with a specific focus on areas which will be affected by the planned work. The survey aims to locate asbestos-containing materials that may be disturbed during the work, creating a high risk of releasing asbestos fibres into the air.

A Refurbishment/Demolition asbestos survey is a legally required survey and follows a strict template. The surveyor must use destructive testing methods to gain access to all locations where potential ACMs can be found. The survey findings advise the demolition/refurbishment plans according to legal asbestos removal regulations.

How Often Should You Have An Asbestos Survey?

Legally, you must have an asbestos survey if the building was built before the year 2000. However, building owners and management teams should conduct asbestos surveys more frequently than just when required by law.

The timeframe for an asbestos survey will depend on the type of ACM, the age and condition of the property, and the maintenance history. Asbestos materials were prevalent in building materials before the ban in 1999, which means they could be present in any part of your building, presenting significant health risks.

A management asbestos survey should be conducted periodically and the register updated as required, whereas a refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey should be completed when necessary. We recommend that building owners review their asbestos registers, at least annually or whenever there are changes to the property, such as renovations or upgrades or demolitions.

Benefits of creating an asbestos management plan

The purpose of an asbestos management plan is to ensure the safety of all people working or living within the building. An asbestos management plan involves creating an asbestos register and an implementation plan to manage and control the asbestos.

Some benefits to having an asbestos management plan are:

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Protect building occupants and workers.
• Increased control and management of asbestos-containing materials.
• Risk assessments and monitoring to ensure minimal harm from asbestos exposure.
• Reduced costs in the long run by identifying asbestos-containing materials early.

Conclusion

Asbestos presents significant health risks, and every building built before the year 2000 should have an asbestos survey conducted at some point. If you own or manage a building in Devon or South West England, Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is a professional asbestos survey company that can help you identify any asbestos-containing materials within your property.

We recommend reviewing your asbestos survey register at least annually, whether or not there have been any recent renovations, upgrades, or demolition works. Finally, we strongly recommend creating an asbestos management plan to maintain a safe environment for all building occupants and management teams.

For more information on our asbestos survey and removal services, please contact us on 01962 458066 or at [email protected]. Visit our website for more information on how we can help you.