What Buildings Need An Asbestos Survey In Sussex?

Are you aware of the dangers of asbestos-containing materials in your building? Asbestos is a hazardous and carcinogenic substance that was widely used in building materials before its ban in 1999. Any building built before this year could potentially contain asbestos.

If you own, manage, or occupy a building, it is your legal requirement to ensure that you identify and manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within your premises. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we are a professional asbestos survey company in Sussex, and we can help you ensure that your building is safe for you, your employees, or building occupants.

In this article, we will explore what buildings need an asbestos survey in Sussex, what an asbestos survey involves, and why it is essential for the health and safety of your building occupants.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we are a leading asbestos survey company in Sussex. We have a team of experienced asbestos surveyors who are fully qualified to carry out asbestos surveys in residential, commercial, and industrial premises.

We understand that managing asbestos in your building can be a daunting task, and we are here to help you every step of the way. With our expertise and knowledge, we can help you identify and manage asbestos-containing materials within your premises to ensure the safety of your building occupants.

What is an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is an inspection of a building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assess their condition. The survey aims to identify the type, location, extent, and condition of any ACMs in the building.

The survey can be either a management survey or a refurbishment survey, depending on the type and extent of the works planned for the building.

A management survey is a non-intrusive survey designed to identify the presence and condition of ACMs within a building. This survey is usually carried out on a routine basis to ensure that ACMs are managed correctly and pose no risk to building occupants.

A refurbishment survey, on the other hand, is a more intrusive survey designed to identify all ACMs within a building that may be disturbed during refurbishment or demolition works.

Why is an Asbestos Survey Required?

Asbestos-containing materials were widely used in building construction before their ban in 1999, as they were cheap, durable, and had excellent insulating and fire-retardant properties.

However, exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. These diseases have a long latency period and may not manifest until several years after exposure.

As a result, it is essential to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials within your premises to ensure the safety of building occupants.

Who is Responsible for Undertaking an Asbestos Survey?

If you own or occupy a building, it is your legal responsibility to ensure that an asbestos survey is carried out. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places a legal duty on those who own or manage non-domestic premises to manage the risks from asbestos.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires that a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks associated with ACMs is carried out by a competent person. A competent person is someone who has sufficient training, knowledge, and experience to undertake the task.

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we have a team of fully qualified and experienced asbestos surveyors who are competent to undertake asbestos surveys in Sussex.

What Type of Buildings Need an Asbestos Survey in Sussex?

All buildings built before 1999 could potentially contain asbestos-containing materials. As a result, any building built before this date needs to be assessed for the presence of ACMs.

Commercial, industrial and residential buildings all need to have an asbestos survey carried out. Specifically, buildings that are likely to contain ACMs include:

• Industrial buildings
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Schools and educational facilities
• Offices
• Residential properties
• Shops and retail premises
• Warehouses and storage facilities
• Commercial buildings

If you are unsure if your building requires an asbestos survey, please don't hesitate to contact Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, and one of our experts will be happy to advise you.

How is an Asbestos Survey Carried Out?

An asbestos survey is a systematic and methodical process that involves a detailed inspection of a building to identify the presence, location, and condition of ACMs.

The survey involves a visual inspection of the building and the collection of samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos. These samples are sent to a UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis.

The survey report will identify the type and location of any ACMs, the extent and condition of the materials, and any recommendations for managing or removing the ACMs.

Managing Asbestos in Your Building

Once an asbestos survey has been carried out, and the presence of ACMs has been identified, you have a legal obligation to manage these materials correctly.

The first step in managing ACMs is to create an asbestos management plan. The management plan is a written document that outlines the measures that you will take to manage and control ACMs within your premises.

The plan should include:

• An inventory of all ACMs within the building
• A risk assessment of the ACMs
• Measures to control the risks associated with ACMs
• Procedures for carrying out work that may disturb ACMs
• A schedule of ongoing monitoring, maintenance and review of the management plan

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we can help you create an asbestos management plan and provide ongoing support and advice to ensure that your building is safe for all occupants.

Find an Asbestos Surveyor in Sussex

If you need an asbestos survey in Sussex, look no further than Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex.

We are a professional, reliable, and experienced asbestos survey company in Sussex. Our team of fully qualified and competent asbestos surveyors can help you ensure that your building is safe for all occupants.

Contact us today on 01273 978238 or email us at [email protected] to arrange an asbestos survey or for more information on managing asbestos in your building.

Conclusion

An asbestos survey is an essential legal obligation that must be carried out if your building was built before 1999. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we are a professional and experienced asbestos survey company in Sussex, and we can help you ensure that your building is safe for all occupants.

Don't risk the health and safety of your building occupants. Contact us today to arrange an asbestos survey and create an asbestos management plan for your building.