Safe Asbestos Surveys for Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities
Managing the safety of your patients, staff and visitors in a hospital and healthcare environment is of the utmost importance. Hospitals are not only caring for more vulnerable people who may likely be more susceptible to the effects of asbestos exposure, but staff members are working around the clock within the hospital space.
Whether it be a public or private hospital, it is essential you’re aware of the asbestos risk within any healthcare facility built prior to the final ban on asbestos in 1999. Regarded as a non-domestic premises, the Dutyholder of the hospital or healthcare facility is legally required to “take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in” according to the Health and Safety Executive.
With a duty of care to patients, staff and more, it is absolutely necessary to have a professional asbestos survey undertaken at your hospital to fully determine the risk of asbestos exposure. Failure to comply with these important requirements could inevitably lead to steep fines, or even imprisonment. 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 hospitals 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 Hospitals
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys (formally known as Type 3 asbestos surveys) are needed when significant building works are set to take place within your healthcare space, and any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present will presumably be broken or exposed. Also referred to as an R&D survey, this could include either full or partial demolition and refurbishment works to your hospital.
In comparison with Asbestos Management Surveys, R&D surveys are a more invasive method of inspecting the asbestos-containing materials within your hospital or healthcare facility. For R&D surveys, it is vital that the premises are cleared of patients and staff whilst the survey is being conducted, to ensure the complete safety of all building users. Our team of expert asbestos surveyors will extract samples of any suspected ACMs in your hospital premises, inline with the guidance as set out by the HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide. Then, we will send the potential ACMs on to a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited lab for asbestos testing. When we receive the results, it will then be confirmed whether the asbestos samples extracted from your healthcare facility are in fact 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.“
Asbestos Management Surveys For Hospitals
Asbestos Management Surveys for hospitals use far less invasive methods of investigating the threat of asbestos to those who work or are a patient within your hospital. Formally known as a Type 2 asbestos survey, an AMS could be a more convenient option for your hospital, due to its more discreet methods of sampling.
When it comes to an AMS, the processing methods remain the same as an R&D survey,, even if the method of sample extraction varies depending on which survey you opt for. At Pillars Environmental, we always work alongside the most reputable UKAS-accredited labs to process and inspect the samples extracted from your healthcare 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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Hospital Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys
We can also offer a frequent asbestos re-inspection service for your hospital if the ACMs need regular checks. Should the ACMs stay in good condition, we may advise they remain in situ as a result, but are regularly examined by an asbestos re-inspection service provider like ourselves. In doing so, 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 commonly advised as a course of action in an Asbestos Management Plan, if the ACMs remain in situ. The management plan will denote how to best manage the ACMs within your hospital, and may include asbestos re-inspection surveys to ensure the condition of ACMs have not deteriorated since last checked.
Asbestos Surveys for Hospitals Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is asbestos commonly found in hospitals?
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
- textured coatings
How long will an asbestos survey for my hospital take?
The duration of an asbestos survey will be different from job to job, as no project is the same as the last. Whether it is one section, or the whole building, this can vary greatly depending on the size, condition and age of the hospital 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 a hospital asbestos survey?
The cost of an asbestos survey for hospitals will change depending on the specific needs for your individual location, including: where the suspected ACMs are located in your hospital, 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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Areas We Offer Hospital 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…
