The importance of an asbestos refurbishment survey

An asbestos refurbishment survey in action in Northampton

Asbestos has been dubbed as a “silent killer” for years now, although it’s an unfortunate fact that it kills more people every year – through asbestos fibres being inhaled – than people who are in road traffic accidents. It has been banned in Britain since 1999, which means any house built or refurbished prior to the year 2000 could potentially contain asbestos in some form. Asbestos refurbishment surveys are required for buildings pre-2000, but why should you arrange one?

What does an asbestos refurbishment survey do?

Any asbestos survey you take out will, in basic terms, identify whether you have asbestos material in your property. Non domestic owners have a duty to make sure any asbestos in their property is properly handled, not disturbed, and if it has to be disturbed, handled in the safest manner possible and minimise the risk of exposing its occupants to asbestos fibre.

Surveyors and companies performing the asbestos survey have different “types” to undertake, but the most common two are “asbestos management surveys” and “asbestos refurbishment surveys”. Asbestos management surveys are visual inspections of the building. Although these surveys are “non-intrusive”, samples of suspect materials are collected and then tested at a UKAS accredited laboratory. By contrast, asbestos refurbishment surveys are “intrusive and destructive”. Their purpose is to identify all asbestos containing materials within an area prior to it being refurbished, this may be part or an entire building. In addition to these surveys a third survey type can be undertaken which is an asbestos demolition survey. This survey is extensively destructive and is only undertaken when the building is to be completely demolished.

Guarantees Safety, minimises risk

First and foremost, there are no safe types of asbestos fibre. All types of asbestos are deemed to cause the same asbestos related diseases. As such they are all treated the same under UK asbestos regulations and guidance. Having the ability to have these potentially dangerous materials properly identified by a professional company is incredibly important and means that you can stay safe within your own property.

Accurate identification of ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) also protects builders, contractors and anyone working within your property. Asbestos refurbishment surveys are all about minimising risk to all involved.

Provides peace of mind

Many older buildings which have decorative coatings, old pipe and boiler insulation and cement water tanks could pose a risk to you. But if you’ve already identified what and where potential asbestos is present when undergoing a refurbishment project, why do you need the survey?

A refurbishment survey will recommend looking at not only the material(s) in question, but also the surrounding areas – for example, if you want to take down your ceiling, the walls could potentially have some kind of ACM in it too, and through a refurbishment you’re disturbing it. So even though you think you’ve seen all the asbestos in your property, a survey is recommended to avoid any nasty surprises.

Consider the Contractor

A quick Google search will bring up loads of local and national companies whose speciality is property refurbishment. The problem is, even if you have them refurbishing your property, they need to take out a survey beforehand as they won’t just explicitly know you have ACMs in your property. The refurbishment survey should be the first “work” you carry out before you get the builders in.

If you would like to find out more about the asbestos surveys we at Acorn Asbestos carry out across the UK, please contact the team here.

Neil Munro

I work in a dual role at Acorn Analytical Services focused primarily on growing and leading the business from our Northampton office base. My focus is on overseeing all sales, marketing and financial activities from Northampton. I assist clients with high-level asbestos management strategies and training. Together with Ian Stone I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I'm Co-author of Asbestos The Dark Arts and Fear and Loathing of Health and Safety.

Need Help? Request a Call Back

Request a call back from one of our expert Asbestos Consultants who will help you identify what you need

More Asbestos Articles

Asbestos isn't a headache with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

Asbestos isn’t a problem with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

AT Acorn Analytical Services we’re probably best known for the work we do supporting businesses with asbestos surveys and asbestos management. But did you also know that we offer a full package of health and safety services through our Acorn Compliance Antidote? The antidote is the perfect way to get all your health and safety … Read more

Asbestos consultancy celebrates the opening of new regional office

Asbestos company celebrates the opening of new regional office in Wolverhampton

EARLIER this month the team at Acorn Analytical Services was delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and the Deputy Mayoress, Lynn Plant to the opening of our new asbestos management office in Wolverhampton. It was a very proud day for regional manager, Lewis Scott and his team, and Acorn’s … Read more

Emma Gooding, one of our women in construction

Women in Construction: Highlighting the work of two incredible women at the heart of our team

HIGHLY-SKILLED, talented women in construction are right at the heart of Acorn Analytical Services’ success, taking on key roles within our business and leading the fight against the UK’s asbestos epidemic. In recent years, many more women in construction have chosen to take on roles within the asbestos industry and at Acorn we do everything … Read more

Asbestos Book

Asbestos: The Dark Arts – essential reading for anyone involved in health and safety this World Book Day

AS well as being part of one of the UK’s leading asbestos consultancies, Acorn Analytical Services’ directors Ian Stone and Neil Munro have also written best-selling books on asbestos and health and safety. The books, which include their five-star rated title Asbestos: The Dark Arts, have quickly become essential reading to anyone involved in facilities … Read more

Asbestos bitesize training sessions for you and your business

Asbestos: Free bitesize sessions from the experts at Acorn will help keep your team protected from this hidden killer

IT may have been banned from new buildings more than 20 years ago but asbestos still poses a huge threat to the health and wellbeing of our society. Thousands of buildings – including many schools – still contain asbestos which can go on to cause deadly cancer if it is damaged or disturbed releasing microscopic … Read more

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining star

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining example of how apprenticeships can be a huge success for everyone

IT’S National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on asbestos analyst, Jake Newell. Jake joined Acorn Analytical Services as an apprentice in 2021 and since then he has completed his training, shown outstanding commitment and dedication to his role and been recognised for his efforts by winning – … Read more

2022 - A big year in the fight against asbestos

2022: A big year for Acorn Analytical Services in the fight against a hidden killer

2022 was a big year for the team of experts at multi award-winning asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services. It was a year which saw the business grow and develop, we took on new staff and we helped support businesses, charities and organisations right across the UK by helping to manage their asbestos and raise … Read more

Asbestos awareness: Education is key

Asbestos awareness: ‘Educating the public is key’

WHEN it comes to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, education and training are absolutely key. With so much advice out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn for information you can trust and training which is tailored to suit your individual needs. To mark national Day of Education, the team … Read more

Asbestos is a big problem on the high street

Asbestos on the high street continues to dominate the headlines

The headlines have once again been dominated this week by stories of high street premises which have been affected by asbestos. In November, Acorn Analytical Services shone a spotlight on the growing epidemic in towns and cities across the UK and urged companies and shop owners to put the safety of their staff and customers … Read more

Reducing asbestos in schools should be a clear priority

‘Reducing asbestos in schools should be our first priority’

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been calling for full asbestos risk assessments to be carried out in schools right across the UK. With many schools having been built during the post-war period when the use of asbestos was at its highest, we fear that many school buildings still contain the … Read more