Asbestos Surveys in the UK

Asbestos surveys are a requirement by law to make sure that all buildings meet safety regulations concerning the use of asbestos.

Formally the most common type of insulation used in buildings, it was in the 1970’s that asbestos was found to be a deadly substance if it was disturbed and then inhaled by humans. Naturally once this was discovered the removal and safe guarding of the substance was of great importance which is where the asbestos survey was created.   

Most commonly found in flooring, pipes and ceilings asbestos is a heat resistant material that can occur naturally and asbestos surveys aim to detect any potential dangers resulting that may result from it.

With approximately 3500 people a year dying from exposure to asbestos, asbestos surveys can not be undervalued in its importance towards providing a safe workplace or home. Asbestos can become life threatening if it is cut, drilled or roughed up so that its fibres are then produced into the air.

Failure to undertake an asbestos survey could lead to a £20,000 fine and other severe penalties if not done through a recognised company. An asbestos survey comes in three different types depending on the situation.

The first asbestos survey is the presumptive survey that will start with locating any possible asbestos that may be in the buildings materials and then assessing its condition to see what risk it may pose.

The next asbestos survey would be the sampling survey where samples are collected and tested for asbestos. This is then followed by a full access and sampling identification survey where it is attempted to find all materials containing asbestos in the building. This asbestos survey could include destructive inspection if needed to locate all the asbestos in a building.

These surveys will help to alleviate any risks that are posed by asbestos in a building and help to provide a safer living and working environment for all concerned.

The importance of asbestos surveys can not be underestimated. Asbestos if left in a dwelling can produce fibres so small that if they are breathed in can avoid the lungs and then settle in the alveoli. As the asbestos can not then be broken down as this is only done through very high temperatures it firstly scars the lungs and will then cause inflammation around them. This leads to the lungs being unable to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood and can result in laboured breathing that then leads to a painful death.

With so many companies specialising in producing asbestos surveys can you afford not to have one done immediately?