How Often Asbestos Survey in Sussex is Required?

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a highly experienced asbestos survey company in Sussex, offering a wide range of services to help you manage asbestos in your property. Asbestos is a highly hazardous material, which was once used extensively in building materials due to their strength and fire-resistant properties. However, due to the potential health risks associated with asbestos exposure, the use of asbestos in construction has been banned in many countries worldwide. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials until the 1980s, so it's highly likely that any property built before this time contains asbestos in some form.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a generic term used to describe six naturally occurring minerals, which are composed of long, thin fibers that can be easily woven into other materials. Asbestos was commonly used in construction materials such as insulation, cement, and in various household products. Asbestos fibers are highly resistant to heat and chemicals, and they do not conduct electricity, making them popular for use in building materials.

Asbestos Survey

Asbestos surveys are conducted to identify the presence of asbestos in a building or property. An asbestos survey is a mandatory requirement for property owners under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which requires every commercial property to have a management survey to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The regulation has been created to minimize exposure to asbestos, which can lead to severe illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Asbestos Management Survey

An asbestos management survey is a standard survey designed specifically to identify the location, condition, and type of any ACMs present within a building or property. The primary purpose of an asbestos management survey is to provide information about the presence, location, and type of any ACM's present within a building or property. Asbestos management surveys do not require any intrusive works and are typically necessary for identifying ACMs that might be disturbed during day-to-day occupation or maintenance of a building.

Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

An asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey is carried out on buildings and premises that are undergoing refurbishment or demolition. The survey is required to identify any ACM's that might be disturbed or damaged during refurbishment or demolition works. The primary purpose of an asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey is to ensure that all ACMs are identified and properly managed before any refurbishment or demolition works commence.

Asbestos in Commercial Property

If you own or manage a commercial property, regular asbestos surveys are essential to ensure that you are complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Asbestos surveys should be carried out every year, or whenever you undertake any refurbishment or maintenance works. Commercial properties are at a higher risk of asbestos exposure due to an increased likelihood of renovation works, and the fact that more people are likely to be exposed to asbestos on a daily basis.

Managing Asbestos in Your Property

Once an asbestos survey has been completed, and the presence of ACMs has been identified, it is essential to have a comprehensive management system in place to ensure that any asbestos-containing materials are properly managed. As a property owner, you are responsible for ensuring that people are not exposed to asbestos fibers and that any ACMs are managed correctly to minimize the risk of exposure. The management of asbestos should be an ongoing process, and regular reviews should take place to ensure that any changes to the building or property are captured, and any new asbestos-containing materials are identified and managed correctly.

Validity of Asbestos Survey

Asbestos surveys do not have an expiration date; however, recommended reviews should take place annually or whenever there are any changes to the property's fabric. Asbestos surveys are only valid as the date an asbestos survey report is issued. It is important to keep your asbestos survey report up-to-date and ensure that you have a good management system in place to manage asbestos in your property.

Types of Asbestos Survey

There are two main types of asbestos survey: the Asbestos Management Survey and the Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey.

Asbestos Management Survey

An Asbestos Management Survey is used to identify the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building. The survey involves a visual inspection of the building or property, and sometimes samples are taken to establish the presence of ACMs that are not readily visible.

Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

An asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey is used to identify ACMs within a building or property that may be impacted by refurbishment or demolition works. The survey is used to establish the location of ACMs and their condition before any works commence.

Do You Need an Asbestos Survey in Sussex?

If you own or manage a property in Sussex, it is essential to have an asbestos survey carried out to identify any ACMs present within your property. Asbestos surveys are a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and failing to carry out an asbestos survey can result in significant fines and penalties. For your safety and peace of mind, contact Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex on 01273 978238 or email us at [email protected] for more information on how we can help you manage asbestos in your property.

Asbestos Removal in Sussex

If you have identified asbestos-containing materials in your property, it is essential to have them removed by a professional asbestos removal company. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we offer a complete asbestos removal service to ensure the safe and practical removal of ACMs from your property. Contact us today for more information on our asbestos removal services.