3 Reasons Why You May Need an Asbestos Survey

An asbestos survey can seem like a very serious step to take, not to mention a major risk, but the truth is that not conducting one is often far more of a risk in the long run.

While the dangers of asbestos are now widely understood, many people underestimate just how many UK buildings still contain the material.

Today we’ll be covering three reasons why your building might need an asbestos survey and how you can arrange one as soon as possible.

1. Suspicious Wall Insulation/Pipework

Due to its fire retardant properties, asbestos was commonly used as insulation both for walls and pipework up until 1985 when the UK government began the process of banning it. Unfortunately, this means that when a building does contain asbestos, it may not be immediately apparent.

In the short term, this may not be too much of a cause for concern as asbestos is usually not harmful unless damaged. That being said, buildings do decay over time so damage can also be hidden. This creates a bit of a ticking clock.

If you have suspicious-looking wall insulation or pipework in your building, it’s only a matter of time until that becomes a serious problem.

2. You’re Planning a Major Renovation

While asbestos may not seem like a short-term problem on the day-to-day, if you’re planning renovations to your building then it will become a serious issue. Renovating a building that contains asbestos is incredibly dangerous for workers as the risk of damaging that asbestos is significantly increased.

Furthermore, if that damaged asbestos is not identified, then it will continue to release microfibers into the air even after renovations are completed, causing an even greater risk in the long ru

If you have any reason to suspect that your building might contain asbestos then it’s vitally important that you have a survey conducted before engaging in any renovation work.

3. Your Building Was Built Before 1999

Although both Amosite and Crocidolite (blue and brown asbestos) were banned in 1985, Chrysolite (white asbestos) was still legal to use in construction up until the full ban in November 1999. So, even buildings that went into construction in the early 2000s may contain asbestos.

Any building that went into construction before 1999 should be surveyed.

If you’re worried that your building may contain asbestos then now’s the time to act. Contact 0800 Asbestos today by calling 03304-703-872 or by emailing us at office@0800asbestos.com.