When Do You Need Asbestos Survey in Sussex?

Asbestos is a highly hazardous and dangerous material that can cause severe health issues. This mineral was widely used in the construction industry for insulation, flooring, roofing, and other purposes. Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, but many buildings constructed before this time may still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) which can pose a risk to health. In Sussex and throughout the South East England asbestos survey is necessary to ensure safety, laws, and regulations when managing or demolishing properties built in or after 2000.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a leading asbestos survey company in Sussex, providing affordable and reliable asbestos survey and removal services to homes, commercial properties, and industrial buildings. Our aim is to protect people's health and safety while maintaining compliance with the latest asbestos regulations.

Why Do You Need an Asbestos Survey?

If you own or manage a property that was built before 2000 and it is suspected to have asbestos-containing materials, you may require an asbestos survey. The survey conducted by a qualified asbestos surveyor will determine if and where hazardous materials exist, classify and identify the type of asbestos, and assess the condition and risk of the materials. The survey will identify the measures required to manage or remove ACMs safely.

The requirement for asbestos survey in Sussex is set out in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The duty to manage asbestos rests with whoever manages the building, which could be the owner, landlord, or manager. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, fines, legal proceedings, and even imprisonment. Asbestos surveys also play a significant role in ensuring the safety and protection of building occupants, maintenance workers, demolition workers, and others who may be exposed to asbestos fibers.

Types of Asbestos Survey

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we offer two types of asbestos surveys: the Asbestos Management Survey and the Asbestos Refurbishment Survey.

1. Asbestos Management Survey

This type of asbestos survey is necessary for non-domestic properties built before 2000 or presumed to have asbestos-containing materials. The survey aims to identify and manage ACMs during regular occupancy and maintenance. A typical asbestos management survey involves sampling and analysis of materials that could potentially contain asbestos. The survey report also includes a comprehensive plan for managing and monitoring the ACMs, including a risk assessment, an asbestos register, and recommendations for eventual removal.

2. Asbestos Refurbishment Survey

This type of asbestos survey is necessary when refurbishing, altering, or demolishing a building that was built before 2000 or presumed to have ACMs. The survey aims to identify and locate all asbestos-containing materials within the areas in which the refurbishment is proposed. The survey report includes a comprehensive plan for managing the ACMs found during refurbishment or demolition, including their removal or management as required.

Areas Where Asbestos is Commonly Found

Asbestos can be found in several areas of buildings, including walls, floors, roofs, and ceilings. Some of the areas commonly affected by asbestos include:

1. Properties built before 2000

Houses and commercial properties built before 2000 are likely to contain asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials, such as roofing tiles, pipes, insulation, and textured coatings.

2. Industrial buildings

Industrial buildings, such as factories and warehouses, were commonly constructed using asbestos-containing materials. The materials used include insulation, boilers, and flues.

3. Commercial properties

Commercial properties, such as shops, offices, and schools, may contain asbestos materials. Asbestos was used in the construction of partitions, flooring, and fire-resistant materials.

Health and Safety Risks Associated with Asbestos

Asbestos poses a severe risk to health and safety. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers which can be inhaled into the lungs, leading to severe health complications. There is a latency period of up to 40 years from exposure to asbestos fibers until the development of related illnesses, which makes it even more dangerous.

Some of the health complications associated with exposure to asbestos include:

1. Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a severe and fatal cancer of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers and typically develops years after exposure.

2. Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a condition that causes scarring of the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and other severe respiratory issues. Asbestosis is typically caused by extended exposure to asbestos fibers.

3. Lung Cancer

The exposure to asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, which develops similarly to mesothelioma, but it can also result from other lifestyle factors such as smoking.

How Can an Asbestos Survey Help?

An asbestos survey can help to identify asbestos-containing materials, mitigate risks to health and safety, and ensure compliance with asbestos regulations. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, our team of experts can conduct a comprehensive asbestos survey, provide a detailed report of the findings, and recommend the best course of action to manage or remove the ACMs. Our services include:

1. Asbestos survey

We can conduct both the Asbestos Management Survey and the Asbestos Refurbishment Survey to identify the presence, type, and condition of asbestos-containing materials.

2. Asbestos sampling and analysis

We provide asbestos sampling and analysis services to determine if and where asbestos hazards exist, including legal analysis, recommendations for management or removal, risk assessment and asbestos registers.

3. Asbestos removal and management

We offer affordable asbestos removal, dentification, encapsulation, or encapsulate management solutions to ensure the safe and legal treatment of hazardous materials.

Contact Us Today

Contact Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex today at 01273 978238 or send us an email at [email protected] for a fast and affordable asbestos survey in Sussex, the South East England or anywhere in the UK. We are committed to delivering the highest quality services to our clients, and we can guarantee a safe and compliant outcome for your property. For more information, visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-sussex.co.uk.