HSG264 and HSG248, UK wide
Asbestos Surveys
Find and manage asbestos risks before they become a problem. AL23 Safety provides asbestos surveys across the UK to locate asbestos-containing materials, assess their condition and give you a clear plan to manage them. Every survey follows current HSE guidance, including HSG264 and HSG248 so you meet your legal duties with confidence.
When is an asbestos survey needed?
Before 2000, before works or wherever it is suspected
If your building was built before 2000 it may contain asbestos. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 the dutyholder for any non-domestic premises has a legal duty to manage that risk and an asbestos survey is usually the first step.
You will also need a survey before refurbishment or demolition work or where asbestos is suspected but has never been confirmed. We help you identify these risks early and manage them properly, avoiding project delays, regulatory problems and health hazards.
The duty to manage
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises, requires the dutyholder, usually the owner, landlord or person responsible for maintenance, to find out whether asbestos is present, record its location and condition, assess the risk and put a plan in place to manage it. A survey gives you the information you need to do all of this.
Types of asbestos survey
Two surveys, set out by HSG264
HSG264 sets out two types of asbestos survey. Which one you need depends on what is happening in the building.
Management survey
The standard survey for the ongoing management of asbestos in a building in normal use. It locates, as far as reasonably practicable, any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed or damaged during normal occupancy and routine maintenance, then assesses their condition. The work is largely non-destructive, with minor intrusion and sampling where needed.
What it includes
- Inspection of accessible areas
- Sampling and assessment of suspect materials
- Material condition and risk ratings
- An asbestos register
- Clear guidance for ongoing management
Refurbishment and demolition survey
Required before any refurbishment, alteration or demolition work. It locates and describes all ACMs in the area where work will take place or across the whole building where demolition is planned. It is fully intrusive and may involve destructive inspection to reach materials that are normally hidden so affected areas should be empty while the survey is carried out.
What it includes
- Full access to the areas being refurbished or demolished
- Sampling and analysis to locate all ACMs
- Estimates of the type and extent of asbestos present
- Clear recommendations for safe removal or management
Re-inspections, every 6 to 12 months
Once asbestos is known to be present, the duty to manage does not stop. Materials need to be re-inspected at regular intervals, typically every 6 to 12 months depending on their type, condition and location. This catches any deterioration before it becomes a risk. We carry out re-inspections in line with the Approved Code of Practice L143, update your asbestos register and revise your management plan where needed.
How we carry out a survey
Safe, accurate, with minimal disruption
We plan and carry out every survey with safety, accuracy and minimal disruption in mind.
- 1
Plan
We agree the scope around your building, its layout and the reason for the survey.
- 2
Inspect
Our surveyors examine all relevant areas, from rooms and corridors to roof spaces and underfloor areas.
- 3
Sample
We take samples of suspect materials where required, with as little disturbance as possible.
- 4
Analyse
Samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
- 5
Assess
We rate the condition and risk of every material we find.
- 6
Report
We pull everything together into a clear, practical report you can act on.
What is in the report
The foundation of your management plan
After the survey we issue a detailed report that forms the foundation of your asbestos management plan.
Keep this report up to date and accessible on site. It works best as a live document that you revise as materials are removed, repaired or re-inspected.
- An executive summary of the findings
- Floor plans showing the location of any ACMs
- The type, condition and risk rating of each material
- The surveyor's details and the date of inspection
- A clear action plan and recommendations
Does every building need a survey?
It depends on the age and the use
Not every building does. It comes down to the age of the building and how it is used.
Non-domestic, built before 2000
Very likely to need a survey under the duty to manage. This is the typical starting point for owners, landlords and those responsible for maintenance.
Residential property
Not usually covered by that duty, although a survey is still sensible before major renovation or demolition and many homeowners choose to have one for peace of mind.
Where asbestos is suspected and there are no reliable records, a survey is always a sensible first step.
Why AL23 Safety
Accredited, impartial and clear
- Qualified, experienced asbestos surveyors
- Every survey carried out to current HSE guidance, HSG264 and HSG248
- Samples analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory
- Impartial advice, focused only on what is right for you
- Clear reports written in plain English, not jargon
- Support with your asbestos management plan and re-inspection schedule
- Nationwide coverage across the UK
Book your asbestos survey
A first survey, a refurbishment survey or a re-inspection
Whether you need a first survey, a refurbishment and demolition survey before works begin or a re-inspection to keep your records current, we can help. Get in touch to book or to talk through what you need.
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