Do I Need An Asbestos Survey Scotland Retail In Sussex?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials up until the late 1990s. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause a range of health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. As a result, the UK government has implemented strict regulations around the handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.

If you own or manage a property in Sussex or the South East of England, you may be wondering if you need an asbestos survey. In this article, we'll outline the reasons why you might need a survey, what's involved in the process, and how to find a reliable surveyor in your area.

Why You Might Need An Asbestos Survey

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, anyone who owns or manages non-domestic premises, including commercial properties, retail units, and public buildings, has a legal duty to manage asbestos in their buildings. This duty includes identifying the presence of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assessing the risk of exposure to those materials.

If you are planning any refurbishment or demolition work on your property, you must also carry out an asbestos survey before any work begins. The survey will identify any ACMs that may be disturbed during the work and ensure that they are safely removed before any work commences.

In addition to these legal requirements, there are several other reasons why you might need an asbestos survey:

1. Buying or Selling a Property

If you are buying or selling a property, you may need an asbestos survey to ensure that the property is safe to occupy. An asbestos survey will identify any ACMs in the property and assess the risk of exposure to those materials. This information can help you negotiate the price of the property or avoid buying a property that may be hazardous to your health.

2. Managing a Property

If you manage a property, you have a legal duty to manage any ACMs in the building and assess the risk of exposure to those materials. An asbestos survey will help you identify any ACMs and assess their condition, making it easier to manage the risk of exposure.

3. Peace of Mind

Even if you are not legally required to have an asbestos survey, it can still provide peace of mind that your property is safe to occupy. Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop, so identifying and removing ACMs now can help protect the health of anyone who uses the property in the future.

What's Involved In An Asbestos Survey

An asbestos survey involves a qualified surveyor inspecting your property for ACMs. The surveyor will take samples of any suspect materials and send them to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the analysis will determine if the material contains asbestos and if so, what type and how much asbestos is present.

Once the survey is complete, the surveyor will provide you with a detailed report outlining the findings of the survey, including a description of any ACMs identified and their condition. The report will also include recommendations for how to manage the risk of exposure to the ACMs.

There are two types of asbestos surveys:

1. Management Survey

A management survey is a non-intrusive survey that aims to identify the presence of any ACMs in a building that may be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy. The survey will assess the condition of the ACMs and provide recommendations for managing the risk of exposure.

2. Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

A refurbishment/demolition survey is a more intrusive survey that is required before any refurbishment or demolition work takes place. The survey aims to identify all ACMs in the areas where the work will take place and provide recommendations for their safe removal.

How to Find a Reliable Asbestos Surveyor in Sussex

If you are looking for a reliable asbestos surveyor in Sussex, there are several things to consider:

1. Accreditation

The surveyor should be accredited by a reputable organization, such as the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). Accreditation ensures that the surveyor has the necessary training and expertise to carry out the survey safely and accurately.

2. Experience

The surveyor should have experience in carrying out asbestos surveys in a variety of different buildings and situations. This ensures that they are familiar with the potential hazards and can provide accurate recommendations for managing the risk of exposure.

3. References

The surveyor should be able to provide references from previous clients who can speak to the quality of their work and their reliability.

4. Cost

While cost should not be the only factor in your decision, it is important to find a surveyor who offers competitive rates and transparent pricing.

Our company, Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, meets all of these criteria. We are accredited by the BOHS and have many years of experience in carrying out asbestos surveys in a range of different buildings, including retail units, commercial properties, and public buildings. We offer competitive rates and transparent pricing, and our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have about the survey process.

To obtain an asbestos survey, simply fill out the contact form on our website or give us a call on 01273 978238. One of our team members will get back to you shortly to discuss your requirements and provide guidance on the best survey for your property.

Services Available From Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex

In addition to asbestos surveys, we offer a range of managed asbestos services that can help you manage the risk of exposure to ACMs in your property. These services include:

1. Asbestos Removal

We offer safe and effective asbestos removal services for both bonded and friable asbestos-containing materials. Our team of experts is trained to safely remove asbestos from any type of property, ensuring that the risk of exposure is minimized.

2. Asbestos Management

We offer asbestos management services that can help you comply with your legal duty to manage asbestos in your property. These services include a comprehensive asbestos management plan, annual reviews of your plan, and ongoing advice and support to ensure that your property remains safe to occupy.

3. Asbestos Awareness Training

We offer asbestos awareness training for anyone who may come into contact with ACMs during the course of their work, including building managers, maintenance workers, and tradespeople. Our training is designed to help you identify and manage the risk of exposure to asbestos-containing materials.

Final Thoughts

If you own or manage a property in Sussex or the South East of England, it's important to take the risk of exposure to asbestos-containing materials seriously. An asbestos survey can help you identify any ACMs in your building and assess the risk of exposure. If you need an asbestos survey or other managed asbestos services, contact Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex today. Our team of experts is always on hand to provide guidance and support to ensure that your property remains safe to occupy.