Duty to Manage series | 3. Navigating asbestos safety in older buildings: a comprehensive approach
In the landscape of property management and ownership, the presence of asbestos represents a significant health risk that cannot be overlooked. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), once a staple in construction for their durability and resistance to heat, have been found to cause serious health issues. For buildings erected or refurbished before the year 2000, the assumption should always be that asbestos is present. This reality brings into sharp focus the critical need for thorough asbestos identification and management—a task where Assured Safety Management shines with its expert asbestos survey services.
Image courtesy of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). All rights reserved.
Image courtesy of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). All rights reserved.
The hidden threat of asbestos in buildings and equipment
Asbestos's elusive nature means it can be found not only in the fabric of older buildings—within wall cavities, fire doors, and insulation—but also in industrial equipment like ovens, gaskets, and electrical switchgear. Identifying all instances of ACMs, especially those that could be disturbed or damaged during regular building use, maintenance, or cleaning, is not just important; it's a regulatory necessity.
For any installation or refurbishment work that could disrupt the building's fabric, a more intrusive asbestos survey becomes essential. This step ensures that all hidden ACMs are accounted for before work begins, preventing exposure and maintaining a safe environment for occupants and workers.
Assured Safety Management: Your partner in asbestos safety
This is where Assured Safety Management steps in. Specialising in comprehensive asbestos surveys, we offer the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of asbestos identification, management, and compliance. Our surveys are designed to:
Detect both visible and hidden asbestos across the building and in equipment.
Guide maintenance and refurbishment projects, ensuring they proceed safely and in compliance with legal requirements.
Support the safe disposal of old equipment containing asbestos, providing advice on transportation to permitted waste facilities.
Our team of experienced surveyors utilizes the latest techniques and knowledge to provide accurate, reliable results, helping property owners and managers make informed decisions about asbestos management. Contact us to find out more.
Gathering information and consulting experts
Before conducting a survey, it's beneficial to review any existing documentation on asbestos within your premises. This might include building plans, previous asbestos survey reports, or records of asbestos removal. Consulting with workers, safety representatives, and previous occupants can also offer additional insights.
In many cases, a professional 'management survey' by a competent asbestos surveyor like Assured Safety Management is necessary to identify ACMs accurately and establish their condition. Our surveys are tailored to your specific needs, whether your premises consist of simple structures or more complex facilities requiring detailed inspection.
Ensuring Compliance and Safety
The responsibility to manage asbestos is a serious one, with implications for the health and safety of all building occupants. By partnering with Assured Safety Management, you can trust that your asbestos management practices will not only meet but exceed regulatory standards, ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved.
For more guidance on managing asbestos and complying with legal requirements, visit the HSE's official website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/duty/is-asbestos-present.htm.
Diagrams showing where asbestos can occur in buildings
Asbestos can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000.
It is in many of the common materials used in the building trade that you may come across during your work.
The following two diagrams, provided courtesy of the HSE website, illustrate the locations of ACMs.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
Inside
A. asbestos rope seals, gaskets and paper
B. toilet cistern
C. textured decorating coatings on walls and ceilings, for example Artex
D. asbestos insulating board (AIB) panels in fire doors
E. AIB partition walls
F. asbestos cement water tank
G. asbestos flash guards in a fuse box
H. vinyl floor tiles backed with asbestos paper and bitumen adhesive
I. lagging on boilers and pipes
J. loose fill insulation
K. AIB ceiling tiles
L. sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls, beams and columns
M. AIB around boilers
Image courtesy of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). All rights reserved.
Outside
1. profiled asbestos cement roof
2. asbestos cement pipe
3. AIB or asbestos cement soffits and fascia
4. asbestos cement panels
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Image courtesy of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). All rights reserved.
Outside
1. AIB or asbestos cement soffits and fascias
2. roofing felt
3. asbestos cement roof tiles/slates
4. asbestos cement panels
5. profiled asbestos cement sheeting
6. AIB or asbestos cement exterior window panel
7. gutters and asbestos cement downpipes
Inside
A. asbestos insulating board (AIB) around boiler
B. toilet cistern
C. vinyl floor tiles backed with asbestos paper and bitumen adhesive
D. AIB or asbestos cement bath panels
E. AIB ceiling tiles
F. AIB airing cupboard and/or sprayed insulation coating boiler
G. pipe lagging
H. AIB partition wall
I. asbestos cement water tank
J. AIB behind fuse box
K. textured decorative coating, for example Artex
L. loose fill insulation
M. AIB behind fire
N. AIB or asbestos cement interior window panel