Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in many older properties across the UK, including commercial and residential structures. ACMs can be found in a variety of building materials, such as insulation, roofing, flooring, and wall plaster. While intact ACMs are typically not dangerous, they can pose a serious health risk when disturbed or damaged, which releases harmful asbestos fibers into the air.

Asbestos testing and surveys are necessary to determine whether a property contains ACMs and to assess the level of risk associated with them. Asbestos testing involves taking samples of suspected materials and analyzing them in a laboratory to determine if they contain asbestos fibers. Testing is especially crucial if you plan to renovate or demolish a building, or if you suspect that the materials in the structure may have been disturbed.