What Is A Type 1 Asbestos Survey In Sussex?

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a professional asbestos survey company in Sussex, providing various asbestos-related services to individuals and businesses in the area. Asbestos is a collective term for a group of naturally occurring minerals that were extensively used in the construction industry in the UK between the 1950s and 1980s, due to their fire retardant, insulating, and strengthening properties. However, asbestos was later found to be a highly toxic material, causing serious respiratory illnesses and cancers, and it was banned from use in the UK in 1999.

Despite the ban, many older buildings and properties in Sussex and elsewhere in the UK still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), posing a significant health risk to anyone who comes into contact with them. Therefore, it is essential to conduct regular asbestos surveys and removal works to ensure the safety of the occupants and workers in the affected properties.

Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos surveys are necessary to identify any ACMs in a property and assess their condition and level of risk to human health. There are two main types of asbestos surveys:

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

Refurbishment and demolition asbestos surveys are required before any building, renovation, or demolition work is carried out on a property that is known or suspected to contain asbestos. These surveys are intrusive and involve destructive techniques to access areas that may contain ACMs, such as inside walls, floors, or ceilings.

The aim of the surveys is to identify all ACMs present in the affected areas and assess their condition and extent. The survey will also provide recommendations for the safe removal and disposal of the ACMs before any renovation or demolition work commences.

Management Surveys

Management asbestos surveys are non-intrusive and are designed to assess the condition and extent of any ACMs in a property that is likely to be disturbed or damaged during normal occupancy or maintenance work. These surveys are usually carried out on an annual basis and aim to identify any changes in the condition or location of ACMs since the previous survey.

The survey will also provide a report detailing the location, condition, and extent of any ACMs found, along with recommendations for their safe management or removal.

Type 1 Asbestos Survey

A Type 1 asbestos survey is the most basic and non-intrusive type of asbestos survey. It is also known as a visual inspection survey and involves a visual examination of a property's accessible areas to identify any visible ACMs.

A Type 1 survey is suitable for non-domestic properties that have little or no visible asbestos-containing materials and where there is no plan for any building work. The surveyor will inspect the property's walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and other accessible surfaces to determine whether they contain ACMs.

The surveyor will also collect samples of suspected ACMs and send them to a laboratory for analysis. The analysis will determine whether the samples contain asbestos and, if so, what type and level of asbestos are present.

A Type 1 survey is usually the first step in the asbestos survey process, and it can help identify whether further intrusive surveys or removal works are necessary.

Why Undertake A Type 1 Asbestos Survey?

There are several reasons why you might need to undertake a Type 1 asbestos survey:

Property Management and Regulations

If you are responsible for managing a non-domestic property in Sussex, you have a legal obligation to identify any ACMs present in the property and develop a plan for their safe management or removal. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires all non-domestic property owners to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos and take necessary action to protect employees and visitors from harm.

A Type 1 asbestos survey is the first step in complying with the regulations and assessing the risk of asbestos exposure in your property. It will help you identify any visible ACMs and develop a plan for their safe management or removal in the future.

Refurbishment and Demolition Work

If you are planning any refurbishment, renovation, or demolition work on a property that is known or suspected to contain asbestos, you need to undertake a Type 1 asbestos survey as part of your risk assessment process.

The survey will help you identify any visible ACMs that may be disturbed or damaged during the building or demolition works. The results of the survey will guide your decision-making process regarding the safe removal and disposal of the ACMs before the works begin.

Peace of Mind

Undertaking a Type 1 asbestos survey can provide peace of mind for both property owners and occupants. Asbestos exposure is a significant health risk, and identifying and managing any ACMs in a property can help reduce that risk.

By undertaking a Type 1 survey, you can be sure that any visible ACMs in your property have been identified and assessed by a professional surveyor, and you can develop a plan to manage or remove them if necessary.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs)

Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are any materials in a building that contain asbestos. These include, but are not limited to:

• Asbestos insulation board (AIB)
• Asbestos cement (AC) sheets and pipes
• Sprayed coatings and lagging
• Textured coatings, such as Artex
• Floor tiles and adhesives
• Roofing felt and shingles
• Gaskets and ropes

ACMs can be found in any part of a building, including walls, partitions, ceilings, floors, roofs, and pipes. The use of asbestos in buildings peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, so any building constructed or refurbished during this period is likely to contain ACMs.

Asbestos is a dangerous material when it is disturbed or damaged, as it releases fine asbestos fibres into the air, which can be easily inhaled and cause serious respiratory illnesses and cancers. Therefore, it is essential to identify and manage any ACMs found in a property, to protect the occupants and workers from exposure to asbestos fibres.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a professional asbestos survey company in Sussex, providing various asbestos-related services to individuals and businesses in the area. Our team of experienced surveyors is trained and qualified to undertake all types of asbestos surveys, including Type 1 surveys.

We understand the risks associated with asbestos exposure, and we strive to provide our clients with the most accurate and reliable survey results. We follow all the latest regulations and guidelines regarding asbestos surveying and removal, and we use the most advanced technologies and techniques to ensure our services are efficient, safe, and affordable.

We are committed to providing our clients with peace of mind regarding their property's asbestos risk and safety. We approach every project with professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail, and we aim to exceed our clients' expectations.

Contact Us

If you are worried about the presence of asbestos in your property, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex. We offer a range of asbestos survey and removal services to suit your needs and budget.

You can contact us by phone at 01273 978238 or by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-sussex.co.uk to learn more about our services and request a free quote.