Asbestos Surveys for Church Buildings
Similar to listed and historic buildings, the majority of churches in the UK will have been built before the rise in popularity of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) for construction purposes. In spite of this, there are still hundreds of churches which contain these materials, either because they are a more modern build, or because they’ve been upgraded or restored in the 20th century when the use of ACMs was the most prevalent.
Health and safety standards for public spaces like churches have developed significantly since the boom in ACM popularity, and therefore it is vital that dutyholders are aware of any potentially hazardous materials on their church premises. According to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the dutyholder is responsible for managing the risk of asbestos exposure in their non-domestic premises, and failure to adhere to these rules could result in large fines and other penalties as a result.
Here at Pillars Environmental, we are expert asbestos consultants who understand the complexities of working with churches and historic buildings, as well as other commercial and domestic properties. We undertake three types of asbestos surveys for churches across England, including: Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys (R&D), Asbestos Management Surveys (AMS) and Asbestos Re-Inspections.
OVER 30 YEARS
OF EXPERIENCE
HANDLING
ASBESTOS
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys For Churches
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys, also known as Type 3 asbestos surveys, are essential when there’s due to be significant building works taking place on your church premises. While this may be less common for churches compared to other non-domestic premises, there may be partial works refurbishment or demolition works which still require an R&D survey.
Refurbishment and Demolition surveys take an invasive approach to asbestos sampling, and therefore it’s vital that the suspected locations with ACMs present are fully vacated whilst the survey is being conducted. Our expert team of asbestos surveyors have vast experience surveying numerous historic buildings, and will only ever extract samples of the ACMs within the guidance set out by the HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide.
We then package and post the suspected ACMs to a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited lab for asbestos testing. Following the examination, it will then be confirmed whether or not asbestos is present, and we can then advise you on what the next steps are to controlling your ACMs safely and compliantly.
‘The duty to manage covers all non-domestic premises. Such premises include all industrial, commercial or public buildings such as factories, warehouses, education, shops, hospitals and schools.’
Asbestos Management Surveys For Churches
Asbestos Management Surveys for churches employ far less intrusive sampling methods than an R&D survey, helping to keep the disruption to your church as low as possible. Formally known as a Type 2 asbestos survey, Asbestos Management Surveys could be a suitable option for your church due to its more discreet sampling methods and ability to be completed with building users still present.
The testing methods are the same as an R&D survey, even though the sampling techniques are much less invasive. At Pillars Environmental, we work alongside the most reliable UKAS-accredited labs to both process and inspect the extracted samples from your church premises. Our asbestos surveyors can then appropriately advise you on how to best manage any ACMs in your building through an Asbestos Management Plan or other asbestos removal management services.
BESPOKE ASBESTOS SERVICES
OFFERING TAILORED, EXPERT ADVICE
Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys For Churches
As well as R&D surveys and AMS, we also offer an asbestos re-inspection service for your church building if the present ACMs are required to have regular inspections. If the ACMs are in an agreeable condition at the time of inspection, we may recommend that they remain in situ, but are reinspected periodically by a trusted asbestos re-inspection service provider like ourselves. As a result, we can check that the ACMs are compliant with vital health and safety legislation surrounding asbestos, and for your own peace of mind as the building dutyholder.
Asbestos re-inspections are commonly advised as a point of action within an Asbestos Management Plan. The management plan notes how to effectively manage the ACMs present within your church and may recommend that asbestos re-inspection surveys are carried out regularly to ensure the condition of ACMs have not deteriorated since last examined.
Asbestos Surveys For Churches FAQs
Where is asbestos commonly found in churches?
For churches which have been upgraded with ACMs either for fireproofing or insulation, for example, it’s common to find it in:
-
- Fuse boxes
- Risers and claddings
- Fire doors
- Boilers, pipework and insulation
- Floor tiles
How long will an asbestos survey take?
There are a number of factors which could determine the length of an asbestos survey, including the type of survey you are having undertaken, the number of areas which require sampling, the age of the building, the condition of the ACMs and so on. For a more accurate idea, get in touch with us today for a free quote.
What is the cost of an asbestos survey?
The cost of an asbestos survey will also vary depending on the individual requirements of your individual location(s), including: the location of suspected ACMs, any specialist equipment needed and numerous other factors too.
We are rated 5 stars on Google!
Areas We Offer Asbestos Surveys
ASBESTOS
SURVEYS
We undertake Asbestos Management Surveys and Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys, both of which are HSG264-compliant…
ASBESTOS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Our Asbestos Management Plans detail how you can manage asbestos in your property, in line with legislation…
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We can oversee Asbestos Removal projects to ensure a thorough, safe and compliant job is being undertaken…
