What Is Asbestos Surveying In Devon: Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon

If you're a resident or business owner in Devon, South West England, you may need to consider asbestos surveying. Asbestos is a harmful substance that was commonly used in construction and building materials until its use was prohibited in 1999. Asbestos was used for its thermal insulation and fire resistance properties, but it has now been identified as a significant risk to human health.

Asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and respiratory illnesses if inhaled, making it essential for homeowners and business owners to get an asbestos survey done in their property. Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon offers professional asbestos survey services across Devon, helping clients to identify, manage and remove any asbestos-containing materials in their home or building.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals that were commonly used in building materials due to their durability, strength, and heat and fire resistance properties. These fibrous minerals were ideal for insulation, roofing, and flooring in homes and businesses. However, the fibres inhaled from asbestos can cause significant illnesses such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Once asbestos fibres have been inhaled, they stick to the lining of the lungs, causing chronic inflammation and scarring through asbestos-related diseases. This is why it is crucial to get an asbestos survey done to identify any potential asbestos-containing materials so that they can be removed safely.

What is Asbestos Surveying?

Asbestos surveying is a process that involves inspecting a building, identifying any materials that contain asbestos, and assessing their condition. The surveyor will then create a report outlining the location, type, and condition of the asbestos within the building. The purpose of this survey is to determine if and where asbestos is present, what type of asbestos it is, and what condition it is in.

Asbestos surveying is vital to the safety of the occupants of a building. It is a legal requirement that all buildings constructed before 2000 has an asbestos survey conducted. This survey needs to be completed by a competent and accredited surveyor who will record the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assess their condition.

Why You Need an Asbestos Surveyor?

An asbestos surveyor is an individual who is professionally trained to identify, sample and manage asbestos-containing materials. Due to the dangers associated with asbestos exposure, it is crucial to identify any ACMs in your property so that you can take the necessary steps to manage or remove them.

When you hire an asbestos surveyor, you are putting your health and that of your loved ones at the forefront. An asbestos surveyor will:

• Identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials and record their location.
• Assess the condition of identified asbestos-containing materials.
• Make a prioritised plan as to how to manage/remove asbestos-containing materials.
• Provide you with a report containing detailed information on the identified asbestos-containing materials.

Types Of Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos surveys are categorised into two types, a 'Management Survey' and a 'Refurbishment and Demolition Survey'.

Management Survey

A management survey is the standard survey that is carried out on a property in order to identify whether there are any asbestos-containing materials present. It is a visual inspection, where the surveyor inspects the accessible area of the property and takes samples of materials for further testing.

In a management survey, the surveyor will identify any ACMs that are in good condition and provide recommendations on how to manage them. They may advise on precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent the release of asbestos fibres into the air. The surveyor will provide a report outlining the location, extent, and condition of any ACMs identified during the survey.

Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

A refurbishment and demolition survey is more invasive than a management survey. This type of survey is usually carried out before any refurbishment or demolition work is planned. The survey involves getting access to concealed areas of a building that may contain asbestos-containing materials.

The aim of the survey is to identify any ACMs that need to be removed before any building work takes place. The surveyor will create a report that provides information on the location, type, and condition of any ACMs identified.

How Do Asbestos Surveys Work?

An asbestos survey will normally take a few hours to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the building. The surveyor will typically follow these steps:

1. Check building information: The surveyor will gather information about the building including its age, the materials used during construction, and past construction refurbishment work.

2. Visual Inspection: The surveyor will conduct a visual inspection of the property looking for any signs of asbestos-containing materials. They will also check the condition of the materials.

3. Sampling: The surveyor will take samples of any materials that they suspect may contain asbestos. These samples will be sent off to a laboratory for further analysis.

4. Report and Recommendations: The surveyor will provide you with a report outlining the results of the survey. The report will highlight the location of any asbestos-containing materials and their condition, and will provide recommendations for management or removal of ACMs.

Who Carries Out an Asbestos Survey?

Asbestos surveys must be carried out by accredited surveyors. The surveyor must be licensed and trained to carry out asbestos surveying. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, our surveyors are fully trained and qualified to conduct asbestos surveys in Devon.

Health and Safety Training for Asbestos Surveyors

Asbestos surveyors must also undergo training and possess knowledge in health and safety measures. At Affordable Asbestos Removal, all our surveyors have undertaken asbestos training courses to ensure their competency in asbestos surveying.

Health and safety training ensures that our surveyors are equipped to deal with the risks associated with asbestos. They will be knowledgeable about how to handle asbestos-containing materials, the protective equipment needed, and the overall safe removal process.

Asbestos Surveyors at Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we have a team of highly qualified asbestos surveyors who are accredited and licensed. Our surveyors have undergone extensive training and possess the requisite knowledge to identify and remove asbestos-containing materials safely.

We take pride in our work, and that's why we ensure that all our asbestos surveys are comprehensive and have excellent attention to detail. We strive to provide peace of mind to our customers by delivering quality reports and ensuring that asbestos-containing materials are managed safely.

Materials Surveyed during Asbestos Surveying

Several building materials contain asbestos that may pose significant risks to human health. During an asbestos survey, the surveyor will inspect many materials, including:

• Ceiling tiles
• Floor tiles
• Insulation
• Cement roofing
• Gaskets and seals
• Textured coatings
• Door linings
• Boiler pipes
• Lagging

These are just a few of the many materials that may contain asbestos, which is why it's necessary to have an asbestos survey conducted.

Conclusion

Asbestos surveying is an essential service that all building owners should consider. Identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials is crucial to ensure the safety and health of building occupants. Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is a reliable and experienced asbestos surveying company in Devon, South West England.

Our surveyors are highly qualified and licensed to conduct comprehensive asbestos surveys, providing detailed reports that highlight the condition and location of asbestos-containing materials within a building. Contact us today for all your asbestos surveying needs, and we will deliver excellent and cost-effective solutions to keep you and your building safe. Call us today on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected].