Do You Need An Asbestos Property Survey?

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Pegswood

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Asbestos Surveyor in Pegswood

Asbestos Surveyor Pegswood

As experts in asbestos management, people frequently ask Asbestos SOS why asbestos surveyors are necessary. The answer is simple: well over half of the properties in the UK built before 2000 contain asbestos in some form. That means that there are still at least six million tons of this hazardous material sitting in more than 1.5 million residential properties.

And this doesn't take into account all the commercial or industrial settings where asbestos was used.

Whether it's in the home or a business premises, asbestos must be taken seriously and dealt with safely and professionally. Asbestos SOS will take on your project, no matter the size, and it all starts with a professional asbestos survey in Pegswood.

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What Is An Asbestos Survey?

While asbestos can occasionally be identified by sight, its condition and type can only be confirmed by testing asbestos samples, and that means conducting a proper survey on-site in person.

Our UKAS accredited* asbestos surveyor in Pegswood will undertake a thorough inspection of the property to ascertain the presence of asbestos and advise you accordingly.

(*UKAS is the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, the only nationwide accreditation body to be recognised by the UK government.)

There are currently three types of asbestos surveys:

  • Asbestos Management Surveys
  • Asbestos Refurbishment Surveys
  • Asbestos Demolition Surveys

Each one must identify any asbestos-containing materials and their precise location, as well as the types of asbestos present (see below for more details on this). The asbestos survey report will also detail the amount of asbestos and its condition.

Please note that a refurbishment or demolition survey will be destructive where necessary so that any asbestos material is identified and removed prior to demolition or refurbishment work.

In addition, the surveyor will perform a risk assessment to highlight any potential hazards in relation to the reason for the survey (that is, whether it was to manage asbestos or the building was due for refurbishment work or demolition). The building will be added to the asbestos register, and all documentation must be kept for at least forty years.

This assessment will consider all scenarios that could disturb the asbestos and release significant quantities of harmful fibres. Your survey report might also include recommendations for remedial work that will limit the risk of asbestos exposure.

What Is An Asbestos Survey
Asbestos Containing Materials

Asbestos Containing Materials

In a Pegswood property, you're most likely to find asbestos in materials used before the year 2000, as its use was banned after that. Here are some of the most common locations:

Roof and associated areas:

  • Roof lining and soffits - Asbestos cement boards might be used for insulation and fire protection.
  • Guttering and downpipes - Older installations could contain asbestos cement.
  • Loose-fill insulation - In lofts, blown-in asbestos fibres might still be present.

Internal areas:

  • Ceilings -Textured coatings like Artex may contain asbestos.
  • Walls - Sprayed asbestos coatings or asbestos insulating boards could be behind the plasterboard.
  • Flooring - Vinyl floor tiles, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, might contain asbestos.
  • Bathrooms and toilets - Bath panels, cistern casings, and pipe boxing could be made of asbestos cement.
  • Heating and boiler systems - Lagging around pipes and boilers may contain asbestos.
  • Other potential locations - Look for asbestos cement panels in partitions, window sills, and electrical cupboards.

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list, and asbestos can be found in unexpected places. If your property was built before 2000, it's best to assume asbestos might be present and avoid disturbing any suspect material.

Here are some additional tips:

  • Don't drill, saw, or sand any materials you suspect might contain asbestos. This can release dangerous fibres into the air.
  • If you discover damaged asbestos-containing materials, don't try to remove them yourself. Contact a qualified asbestos removal contractor who is licensed by the HSE.
  • For peace of mind, consider getting an asbestos survey conducted by a qualified professional. We will identify the presence and location of any asbestos in your property and help you to manage the risk effectively.

Remember, asbestos exposure can be a serious health hazard, so it's crucial to take appropriate precautions if you suspect its presence.

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Different Types Of Asbestos

There are six main types of asbestos found in Pegswood, but three were the most commonly used:

Different Types Of Asbestos

Chrysotile (white asbestos)

This was the most widely used type, accounting for about 95% of all commercial asbestos. It was used in a wide variety of applications due to its flexibility, heat resistance, and soundproofing properties. Common uses included:

  • Insulation - In lofts, walls, ceilings, and pipes
  • Roofing - In cement sheets, shingles, and felts
  • Flooring - In vinyl tiles and backing boards
  • Ceilings - In textured ceilings like Artex

Amosite (brown asbestos)

Used much less frequently than white asbestos, but still occasionally found in the following:

  • Insulation - In pipe lagging and boiler casings
  • Cement - In asbestos cement boards and sheets
  • Fireproofing - In sprayed coatings and thermal insulation

Crocidolite (blue asbestos)

Easily the most dangerous asbestos type, due to the microscopic needle-like fibres. Thankfully, this type was banned in 1970, although it may still be present in some older buildings in the form of:

  • Insulation - In loose-fill insulation and pipe-lagging
  • Cement - In asbestos cement sheets and panels
  • Electrical - In switchgear and fuse boxes

While the asbestos survey report may identify the types discovered, it only has to list those that present a risk to those in the building during normal occupancy.

Read more on “what does asbestos look like”.

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Asbestos Regulations

Asbestos Regulations

At Asbestos SOS in Pegswood, we are also often asked about the legal obligations regarding asbestos materials and whether it's absolutely necessary to hire an asbestos surveyor.

This is most likely due to the financial implications, particularly in relation to rented property or industrial sites.

Currently, the UK legislation is governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (known as CAR 2012). This comprehensive regulation is aimed at business owners and landlords and relates to non-domestic properties.

You can look up the full list of rules at the HSE or government websites, but in essence, the law states that an asbestos survey is necessary so that all suspect materials are identified, assessed and managed correctly. The main aim is to eliminate the risk of contact with harmful asbestos fibres as far as practically possible.

It's worth noting that any breach of these regulations is a criminal offence and could result in an unlimited fine and up to two years imprisonment.

The law places the responsibility firmly at the feet of the 'dutyholder' - that is, the person who owns the building and either rents it out or uses it as a business premises. You have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for workers, tenants, and anyone else who may use the building.

This means that you must manage asbestos carefully, and that begins with forming an asbestos management plan. Asbestos SOS can provide expert guidance in this area to ensure compliance with the regulations on all levels. We will help you with the effective management of any asbestos-containing materials on your premises and formulate a plan to remove or protect them.

Domestic Dwellings

It is not a legal requirement to perform an asbestos survey on a domestic residential dwelling in Pegswood, but it is in your best interests to do so anyway. This is even more important if the building is more than forty or fifty years old, as there is a much higher risk of asbestos material being present.

Here, your duty of care is to your family and yourself.

Who Can Perform An Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos management survey should only be carried out by UKAS-accredited persons or those licenced by the HSE using the survey guide HSG264.

Only choose an asbestos survey company that has UKAS accreditation, like Asbestos SOS!

Why Choose Asbestos SOS

Our dedicated team advanced techniques and unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility ensure that with us you're not just removing asbestos but also securing a safer healthier future for your space.

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Understanding The Health Risks

You might wonder why there's so much fuss over asbestos. Can it really be that hazardous?

As experts in asbestos management, we try to offer a balanced view. While the risks may be small, they are very real. Here's a sobering fact to keep in mind: there are more than 5,000 asbestos-related deaths each year in the UK alone.

The majority of these cases are the result of long-term exposure to high levels of asbestos fibres (typically by workers in the construction industry), but it stresses the need to handle this substance with extreme caution. Although most of the severe conditions are caused by being exposed to asbestos over many years, some cases are caused by one-time exposure.

Read more on “how long does asbestos stay airborne”.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to several serious health conditions, including:

Understanding The Health Risks

Asbestosis

This condition varies in severity but usually requires medical treatment for life. Scarring of the lung tissue causes shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent cough, fatigue, and chest pain. Clubbed fingertips are common in severe cases.

Asbestosis can worsen suddenly at any time and is frequently fatal.

Lung cancer

Smokers (or those with a history of smoking) have a much higher risk of contracting lung cancer if they are exposed to asbestos-containing materials that have been damaged or disturbed.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma (a type of cancer) is an aggressive condition almost entirely caused by asbestos exposure. It is incurable, and diagnosis often comes when the condition is well advanced. The life expectancy of someone with mesothelioma ranges between six months and two years after diagnosis.

While these are the most common ones, there are many others, including different types of cancer.

This is why it is imperative that you limit your contact with asbestos containing materials as far as possible. Always contact an asbestos management specialist, like Asbestos SOS, if you suspect that you have discovered asbestos-containing materials on your property.

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Asbestos SOS Asbestos Surveys & Surveyors In Pegswood

Our asbestos surveyors in Pegswood are highly trained and UKAS accredited, and we offer an efficient service with minimum fuss.

Dealing with regulations can be complex and confusing, and Asbestos SOS will guide you through the pitfalls of asbestos surveying, inspection, analysis and (potentially) removal.

From start to finish, we steer our clients through the whole process to give them the peace of mind they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asbestos surveys in the UK are crucial for identifying the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings. They help ensure safety by assessing the risk of asbestos exposure, which is essential for managing, containing, or removing asbestos safely in compliance with UK health and safety regulations.
While not legally required, it's highly recommended to conduct an asbestos survey before purchasing a property in the UK, especially for buildings constructed before 2000. This ensures you're aware of any potential asbestos risks and can plan for management or removal.
The level of disruption during an asbestos survey in the UK varies depending on the survey type. A management survey is less intrusive, often involving a visual inspection and minimal disturbance. However, a refurbishment/demolition survey can be more disruptive as it may require accessing concealed areas.
In the UK, a management survey is intended to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in a building that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy. A refurbishment/demolition survey is more invasive and is required when a building (or part of it) is to be upgraded, refurbished, or demolished. It aims to identify all ACMs before any structural work begins.
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