Asbestos Audit

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COULD THERE BE ASBESTOS PRESENT WITHIN YOUR PROPERTY?

Asad Khan

“COULD THERE BE ASBESTOS PRESENT ON MY PROPERTY?”

As you step into your cozy abode, have you ever wondered if hidden dangers could be lurking within your walls? We often encounter common misunderstandings regarding asbestos being a thing of the past, banished forever from our properties. whereas in reality it still lurks within our homes and workspaces.

This blog aims to dispel some of these misconceptions and uncover the reality of asbestos in the UK.

  • Misconception 1: "Asbestos was banned for use in the UK in 1999, as such any remaining Asbestos must have been removed by now".

    Ah, if only it were that simple! While it's true that asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, the reality is that countless buildings constructed before then could still harbor this hazardous material.

  • Misconception 2: "Surely, the previous owners would have reported any asbestos on my property."

    Unlike commercial properties, there is no legal obligation for residential sellers to disclose the presence of asbestos. So, you might find yourself unknowingly inheriting this hidden danger when you purchase a house. Talk about an unexpected surprise!

  • Misconception 3: "The previous owners must have done asbestos surveys. It's their legal duty, after all."

    Unfortunately, that's not always the case. While it is a legal obligation for sellers to disclose known asbestos in commercial properties, residential properties often slip through the cracks. So, you can't rely on the previous owners to have done the necessary surveys to ensure your safety.

  • Misconception 4: "Asbestos wasn't used in this type of property, it’s only on old industrial sites or shipyards, isn't it?"

    Regretfully, since asbestos was a widely used building material present in over 13000 different products, meaning it could be hiding in various types of properties, not just the stereotypical industrial sites or shipyards. Your beloved home could be concealing this silent threat.

REASON WHY ASBESTOS COULD STILL BE PRESENT ON YOUR PROPERTY

In reality, property owners were never legally compelled to remove asbestos that was already present. More often than so Asbestos is present in properties built before 1999. Although the use of Asbestos was banned, buildings might still contain Asbestos as a building material in the property or present in soil from previous demolitions or refurbishment on site.

Statistics by the HSE estimate that Asbestos is currently present in 1.5 million buildings across the UK (HSE, 2022).  

Although it is a legal obligation of the seller to disclose any known Asbestos on a commercial property this is not the case for residential properties. As a result, many homeowners find their properties contain Asbestos upon purchasing the building.

A standard home buyers survey will not pick up Asbestos. The surveyors may note suspect items but this is not a full survey to the current regulation. A full Asbestos Survey to HSG-264 requires specialist surveyors to carry out a detailed Asbestos survey. Details on types of Asbestos surveys and what an Asbestos Survey report should include can be found here.

The bottom line is that you may very well have Asbestos present on your property without being aware of it.

WHAT AREAS COULD YOU LOCATE ASBESTOS ON YOUR PROPERTY?

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL

Not sure what asbestos material you’re dealing with?
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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

If you are unsure about Asbestos within your property the safest option available is to carry out a full Asbestos survey with a reputable accredited Asbestos surveying company.

The survey will confirm the risks in the property from asbestos and help you to identify the requirements for either managing the material in situ or having the material safely removed.

If you are carrying out work and you are not sure if you have Asbestos you should always have the area of work inspected fully by a qualified surveyor.

Discovering Asbestos on your property does not necessarily imply exposure to an immediate hazard. If Asbestos is left in situ undisturbed then the chance of fibre release is very small and as such the risks are greatly reduced. If however you have damaged the material and exposed the fibres the risks from exposure go up exponentially.

Asbestos exposure requires the Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) to be disturbed or damaged which leads to the Asbestos fibres becoming airborne and entering the lungs. Considering the risks involved, we recommend you avoid any urge to identify or remove suspected ACMs yourself. You should always wait until the material has been tested to assess the risk to you and those around you.

If you're interested in learning more about Asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us.

Our work is accredited to a UKAS - ISO - 17020 standard and our local offices located across the nation ensure you receive immediate service.  

OUR OFFICES CAN ASSIST WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ASBESTOS-RELATED WORKS -

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