Compliant Asbestos Surveys for the Education Sector
The Health and Safety Executive notes that “Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used extensively in the construction of schools and other public buildings from the 1950s.” The dutyholder of the education building in question is required to have asbestos surveys carried out on their premises, in order to protect students, staff and employees from the risk of asbestos exposure.
It is an absolute necessity that you have the correct asbestos survey carried out for your educational facility to fully investigate your asbestos risk. As such, there are many educational figures who need to be aware of the dangers posed by asbestos, such as the headteachers, chancellors, governors, other members of the educational facilities and local authorities. If the dutyholder fails to uphold their responsibility in managing asbestos compliantly, then steep fines or even imprisonment could be enacted as a result.
At Pillars Environmental, we are licensed asbestos consultants who have decades of experience working across both the commercial and domestic sectors of asbestos inspection. We can carry out two types of asbestos surveys for the education sector: Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys (R&D Surveys) and Asbestos Management Surveys (AMS). Other asbestos services we offer include Asbestos Management Plans (AMPs), Asbestos Removal Management and Asbestos Re-Inspections.
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Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys for the Education Sector
Formerly known as Type 3 asbestos surveys, Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys are needed when more significant works are due to take place within your educational building and any ACMs present are likely to be broken or disturbed. As implied by its name, this could refer to a full or partial refurbishment or demolition of your educational facilities.
R&D surveys are a more intrusive method of examining the ACMs within your school, college or university. If this is the survey required, it is vital that the educational premises are completely vacated whilst the survey is being undertaken. During our inspection, our experienced asbestos surveyors will sample any suspected ACMs according to the strict guidance as defined by the HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide. Once extracted and packaged safely, we will then send the suspected ACMs on to a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited laboratory for compliant asbestos testing. It will then be determined whether the sampled materials are indeed asbestos-containing.
"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."
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)Asbestos Management Surveys for the Education Sector
By comparison, Asbestos Management Surveys for education require less disruptive methods in order to determine whether asbestos is a threat to those using the educational facilities. Previously known as a Type 2 asbestos survey, this type could be the most compatible with the educational environment – especially if the survey needs to be carried out during term time and the building cannot be vacated.
While the asbestos sampling methods vary, the processing methods are the same. We only use the most reliable UKAS-accredited labs to process and inspect the samples extracted from your educational building, guaranteeing accurate results. Depending on the lab results, our licensed asbestos experts can help you manage any ACMs through an Asbestos Management Plan or other asbestos removal management services.
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Asbestos Re-Inspections for the Education Sector
We can provide an asbestos re-inspection service should you need to regularly inspect the condition of any existing ACMs. If the materials have remained in a good condition, we may advise they remain in situ but are reviewed regularly by an asbestos re-inspection service provider like ourselves. In doing so, we are ensuring the ACMs are aligned with important health and safety legislation, and giving you that extra peace of mind as the dutyholder.
Asbestos re-inspections are frequently advised as a course of action in an Asbestos Management Plan if the ACMs are left in situ. The management plan will detail how to best deal with them within your educational facility, and often involve re-inspection surveys to ensure the conditions of ACMs have not deteriorated since last inspected.
How to Get Your Free Asbestos Survey Quote:
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Asbestos Surveys for the Education Sector: FAQs
Where is asbestos commonly found in the education sector?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), common places for asbestos to be found in the education sector, including schools, colleges and universities, include:
- Asbestos lagging used as thermal insulation on pipes and boilers
- Sprayed asbestos coatings used for thermal insulation, fire protection, partitioning & ducts
- Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB Asbestos) used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning & ducts
- Asbestos ceiling tiles
- Asbestos floor tiles
- Asbestos cement roofing & guttering
- Asbestos textured coatings (e.g. Asbestos in Artex)
How long will an asbestos survey for the education sector take?
As with many jobs of this nature, the length of an asbestos survey will differ from building to building. This can vary massively whether you are part of a small primary school, or a much bigger university campus.
To find out a more accurate time scale, get in touch with us today for a free quote.
How much will it cost to undertake an asbestos survey for the education sector?
The cost of an asbestos survey for the education sector will depend on the specific requirements for each individual location. This can often be influenced by:
- Where the suspected ACMs are
- Any specialist equipment needed
The best way to get an idea of pricing is to contact our professional asbestos surveyors today!
Will an asbestos survey disrupt lessons or school activities?
No, if you opt for an Asbestos Management Survey, our professional asbestos consultants will ensure minimal disruption to lessons and school activities by scheduling the survey to go ahead outside of teaching hours.
If the survey needs to happen during term time, our surveyors will only take samples from empty or unoccupied areas.
Who is responsible for asbestos surveys in the education sector?
According to the UK government, the following groups have a role to play in the safe management of asbestos in the education sector:
- Local authorities
- Headteachers
- Business managers
- Facility managers
- Governing bodies
- All teaching and support staff
- Maintenance and caretaking staff
- Trade union health and safety representatives
- Members of school and college management teams
- Charitable trusts working in schools, colleges or universities containing asbestos
This means they are legally responsible for ensuring asbestos is identified, recorded, and managed correctly under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.
How often should asbestos surveys be updated in the education sector?
It is generally recommended for organisations within the education sector, such as schools, colleges and universities, to update their asbestos surveys at least once a year. Here are some key facts to consider:
- Extra asbestos surveys are needed during major refurbishments, repairs or building work
- Educational facilities built before the year 2000 need to be professionally checked for asbestos every 5 years
- Failure to follow these rules can lead to costly fines and in extreme cases, school closures
- Local authorities check that schools follow asbestos safety laws
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Areas We Offer Office 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…
