Compliant Asbestos Surveys for Communal Areas
When it comes to communal areas in domestic buildings, such as foyers, corridors, lifts, staircases, roof spaces, gardens, yards, garages and more, it can be difficult to know who has the duty to manage asbestos.
Though it is not a legal requirement for domestic premises to have regular asbestos surveys undertaken, landlords of rented accommodation are responsible for the management of asbestos in common areas of the building according to the HSE. It is important that dutyholders are aware of their responsibilities and keep on top of their asbestos management accordingly, as to keep their tenants, visitors and more safe from the exposure of asbestos. Failure to do so could result in unnecessary exposure, potentially leading to pulmonary health issues, as well as hefty fines.
At Pillars Environmental, we are expert asbestos consultants who have decades of experience working across both the commercial and domestic sides of asbestos inspection. We undertake three types of asbestos surveys for communal areas across England, including: Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys (R&D), Asbestos Management Surveys (AMS) and Asbestos Re-Inspections.
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Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys For Communal Spaces
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys – formally known as Type 3 asbestos surveys – are required when extensive building works are due to take place within your communal building areas, and any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on-site are expected to be broken or exposed in the process. Also referred to as an R&D survey, this could include either full or partial demolition and refurbishment works to your building’s communal spaces.
Compared with Asbestos Management Surveys, R&D surveys are an intrusive method of inspecting the ACMs within your domestic premises. For R&D surveys, it is key that the locations in question are cleared whilst the survey is being conducted, as to ensure the complete safety of all building users. Our expert team of asbestos surveyors will sample any suspected ACMs within your property, inline with the guidance set out by the HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide. We will then send the potential ACMs on to a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited lab for asbestos testing. It will then be confirmed whether the samples extracted from your communal areas are in fact asbestos-containing.
‘In common parts of domestic premises, the person responsible for those areas, such as the landlord of rented accommodation, is responsible for managing asbestos.’
Asbestos Management Surveys For Communal Areas
Asbestos Management Surveys for communal spaces employ far less invasive methods of investigations and sampling. Formally known as a Type 2 asbestos survey, an AMS could be a more suitable option for your residential premises, due to its more discreet methods of sampling.
For an AMS, the processing methods remain the same as an R&D survey, even if the method of sample extraction varies. At Pillars Environmental, we always work alongside the most reputable UKAS-accredited labs to both process and inspect the samples extracted from your shared environment. Our professional asbestos contractors can then advise you on how to manage any ACMs through an Asbestos Management Plan or other asbestos removal management services.
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Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys For Communal Areas
We can also offer a frequent asbestos re-inspection service for your communal domestic spaces if the ACMs require regular checks. Should the ACMs remain in a good condition, we may advise they stay in situ as a result, but are examined periodically by an asbestos re-inspection service provider like ourselves. By doing this, we are ensuring the ACMs are respecting important health and safety legislation surrounding asbestos, and for your own peace of mind as the dutyholder.
Asbestos re-inspections are often advised as a course of action in an Asbestos Management Plan. The management plan will denote how to best manage the ACMs within your property and may advise that asbestos re-inspection surveys are undertaken to ensure the condition of ACMs have not deteriorated since last assessed.
Asbestos Surveys For Communal Areas FAQs
Where is asbestos commonly found in communal spaces?
The Health and Safety Executive writes that common places for asbestos to be found include:
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- asbestos lagging, used as thermal insulation on pipes and boilers
- sprayed asbestos used for thermal insulation, fire protection, partitioning and ducts
- asbestos-insulating board (AIB) used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts
- some ceiling tiles
- floor tiles
- cement roofing and guttering (like garage roofs and outhouses)
- textured coatings
How long will an asbestos survey take?
Depending on the areas where asbestos is suspected, the size and scale of the communal areas and so on, it is difficult to give a simple answer. Whether it is one section, or the whole building, this can vary greatly depending on the size, condition and age of the wider building in question – as well as the type of survey required. 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 specific needs for your individual location(s), including: where the suspected ACMs are located in your domestic premises, any specialist equipment needed and several other factors too. The best way to get an accurate price is to contact our friendly team today!
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les bridgwaterA great service provided, we were working on a tight deadline they done everything in there powers to push this job forward & resolve our Asbestos problems. FIRST CLASS SERVICE. Smart Choice Dental Construction Ltd.
Gareth WalshPillars have just carried out another survey on 30 flats for us. Carried out fast and great report (other than all the asbestos they found LOL). I would definitely recommend to others. Professional outfit.
John Emerson
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…
