Asbestos Surveys: Ensure Safety, Prove Compliance, and Protect Occupants

As a property owner or manager in the UK, you have a legal duty to manage asbestos safely. Conducting a professional UKAS-accredited asbestos survey is one of the most important steps. Whether your building is commercial, residential, or an HMO, a survey helps identify asbestos-containing materials, assess risks, and provide guidance for safe management or removal.

Professional surveys and asbestos are essential before refurbishment or demolition work to prevent potential asbestos exposure and ensure compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

What Is an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is a detailed inspection conducted by competent asbestos surveyors to determine whether asbestos is present in a building. It provides information about:

• The type and concentration of asbestos
• Locations and condition of materials that contain asbestos
• Laboratory testing results using asbestos testing kits or air testing
• Recommendations for safe management or removal

A proper survey guide ensures property owners know how to manage asbestos in their buildings, maintain a current asbestos register, and plan safe refurbishment or demolition projects.

Why Asbestos Surveys Matter

Failing to conduct a survey or manage asbestos properly can put lives at risk and create legal problems. Some key risks include:

• Asbestos fibres into the air during accidental disturbance
• Asbestos exposure to tenants, workers, or visitors
• Non-compliance with UK asbestos regulations, resulting in fines or legal action
• Insurance issues if asbestos risks are unmanaged

A professional asbestos inspection ensures that all materials contain asbestos are identified and proper asbestos management is implemented to prevent potential asbestos exposure.

Types of Asbestos Surveys

There are two main types of surveys depending on the planned work:

1. Management Asbestos Survey

A management survey identifies asbestos in occupied buildings to help create an asbestos management plan.

It includes:

• Inspecting accessible areas for materials that contain asbestos
• Updating the asbestos register
• Assessing the extent of asbestos and related risks
• Guidance to prevent asbestos release during maintenance or repairs

2. Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

A refurbishment or demolition survey is required before major works that could disturb asbestos. The survey may include asbestos testing, sampling, or air testing to confirm the presence of asbestos fibres.

It helps to:

• Identify asbestos that could be disturbed during demolition or refurbishment (demolition asbestos)
• Plan safe removal or management to prevent asbestos exposure
• Protect workers, occupants, and the wider environment

Both types of surveys are vital for effective asbestos management and regulatory compliance.

What Happens During an Asbestos Survey?

When you book an asbestos survey, expert asbestos consultants will:

• Conduct a thorough building inspection to check whether asbestos is present
• Take asbestos samples for laboratory analysis
• Assess the type and concentration of asbestos in materials
• Conduct air testing to detect asbestos fibres
• Provide a detailed asbestos survey report outlining risks and recommended actions

The survey report ensures property owners know how to manage asbestos in non-domestic or domestic buildings safely.

Who Should Conduct an Asbestos Survey?

While some basic checks can be performed in-house, only a UKAS-accredited asbestos surveyor or competent professional should conduct formal inspections and issue official reports.

Certified surveyors ensure:

• Compliance with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)
• Accurate identification of the range of asbestos and materials that contain asbestos
• Recommendations for safe asbestos refurbishment or removal
• Legal validity and audit-ready documentation

Using accredited asbestos professionals ensures high-quality asbestos surveys and asbestos management services.

How We Help You Stay Safe and Compliant

Our asbestos consultancy services across the UK include:

• Full management surveys and demolition surveys
• Asbestos inspection, testing, and sampling using accredited methods
• Preparation of detailed asbestos survey reports
• Guidance on safe removal and long-term management of asbestos
• Re-inspection services to maintain ongoing compliance
• Ensuring surveys are conducted according to industry standards

We provide asbestos services that protect property, occupants, and your legal compliance.

Keeping Your Asbestos Survey Up to Date

An asbestos survey is not a one-time check. To maintain safety and compliance, property owners should:

• Regularly inspect materials that contain asbestos
• Update the asbestos register and management plan
• Schedule re-inspection services after refurbishment, demolition, or damage
• Follow recommendations from the survey report regarding removal or containment

This ensures ongoing effective asbestos management and reduces the risk of release of asbestos into the air.

Don't Wait – Book Your Asbestos Survey Today

If you haven't conducted a professional UKAS-accredited asbestos survey, now is the time. Identifying asbestos within your building is essential for safety, compliance, and proper property management.

Contact our team of asbestos experts today to provide asbestos surveys and asbestos management services, ensuring your property is safe, compliant, and well-managed.