How to commission a professional asbestos survey

If your business premises were built or renovated before the year 2000, you are legally required to have an asbestos survey in place to protect anyone working on or visiting the site. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, you must hire a UKAS-accredited surveyor to conduct either a "Management Survey" for everyday business use or a "Refurbishment and Demolition Survey" if you plan on doing any building work. This is a vital safety step that must be completed before you allow any contractors or staff onto the site.

Understanding the two types of surveys

Before you call a surveyor, you need to know which type of inspection you require. Choosing the wrong one could lead to legal issues or unexpected delays during your shop fit-out.

• Management Survey: This is the standard survey for any business moving into an older building. Its purpose is to locate asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be damaged or disturbed by normal daily activities or simple maintenance. It is usually non-intrusive.
• Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) Survey: You must commission this if you plan on knocking down walls, pulling up old floorboards, or doing any structural changes. This survey is intrusive and involves looking behind walls and under floors to ensure no hidden asbestos is disturbed during construction.

How to find a qualified surveyor

In the UK, it is highly recommended to use a surveyor accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). This ensures the company meets the ISO/IEC 17020 standard for inspections. When contacting firms, ask for a quote that includes the survey itself, any laboratory testing of samples, and the final report.

What to do with the survey report

Once the survey is complete, you will receive an Asbestos Register. This is a live document that lists the location, type, and condition of any asbestos found. It is your responsibility to:

1. Create an Asbestos Management Plan: Detail how you will prevent the asbestos from being disturbed.
2. Inform your contractors: You must show this register to any tradespeople (like electricians or plumbers) before they start work so they can avoid high-risk areas.
3. Monitor the condition: If asbestos is left in place because it is in good condition, you must inspect it at least once every 12 months to ensure it hasn't started to crumble or degrade.

Note: Having asbestos in your building isn't necessarily a disaster. If it is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, it is often safer to leave it where it is and manage it, rather than trying to remove it.