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ASBESTOS SURVEYS FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES AND COMMUNAL AREAS:

Asbestos materials are still located in many thousands of domestic premises throughout the United Kingdom and an asbestos survey is the best way of finding such materials. Asbestos removal is sometimes required but the first job is to locate and test the suspect materials. A domestic asbestos survey is much the same as an asbestos survey conducted on any other property as in the way it locates asbestos materials that are present.

All new products containing asbestos were totally banned in the United Kingdom in 1999 but in the previous 50 or so years before the much-needed legislation became law, asbestos was added to a wide variety of products and materials that were used in domestic premises as well as commercial buildings.

Amongst the most commonly used were items such as; Asbestos textured coatings (commonly known as Artex), Asbestos bitumen sink pads located on the bases of stainless steel sink units, Asbestos cement flue pipes and roof sheets on garden sheds and garages, Asbestos ropes and flash pads in electrical fuse boxes, Asbestos thermoplastic floor tiles (Sometimes called Marley tiles), Asbestos boards located behind cookers and fuse boards and asbestos pipe insulation. A domestic asbestos survey will help to locate and test any suspect materials. 

Although regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and previously CAWR 2002 and CAR 2006 only pertains to Non-Domestic premises it is important to remember that everyone has a legal and moral duty to protect anyone against the exposure to asbestos materials.

Some examples of this, where legal implications are involved, are the communal areas of shared accommodations such as flats and bedsits. The communal stairwells, plant rooms, shared utility rooms, lifts and access stairs, amongst other areas, to these types of premises are legally required to have in place an asbestos register and assessment of any such areas.

Where major refurbishments or demolition of domestic premises are planned is yet another example where the CAR regulations apply. In these circumstances, an Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition survey would be required to ensure that no contractors were exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their work. Any asbestos materials detected in such properties usually require the need for Asbestos removal to be conducted prior to work commencing.

A little Asbestos History-
Asbestos was regarded, for many years, as an excellent material for these and other practical reasons and was installed in numerous Edinburgh buildings and indeed throughout the entire United Kingdom.
Although the first reported cases of asbestos-related health problems can be found as far back as the 1930s, it was not until the 1980s that direct action was taken on its usage, Firstly by a voluntary ban followed by legislation and eventual total ban in 1999. For these reasons, it is essential that asbestos located in any building in London, Edinburgh or the UK is managed in a safe manner or removed as per the current regulations.

Domestic areas covered by Asbestos regulations-
There are still numerous buildings within large cities such as Edinburgh where asbestos is located.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 only specifies requirements for Non-Domestic premises constructed before 1999. However, all buildings, including domestic premises, have the potential to contain asbestos. Communal areas of Domestic and residential properties in London, Edinburgh and all of the UK are covered by the regulations. They, therefore, require an asbestos assessment to comply with current legislation. The same Asbestos removal regulations apply to these areas as well. 

ASA Edinburgh Asbestos-ASA London Asbestos-A company you can trust-
You can trust Asbestos surveys & advice to provide a fully professional and comprehensive service including; Asbestos management surveys, Asbestos Removal, Asbestos refurbishment surveys, Asbestos Demolition surveys,  Asbestos management plans and asbestos removal and remediation works through our HSE Licensed partners.
We have an unblemished record since formation, providing thousands of asbestos surveys and asbestos removals to all sectors throughout Edinburgh, London and all areas of the UK, are quality assured to ISO 9001:2008, fully insured (including PI) and have over 30 years experience in the field.

Edinburgh, London & UK Property owners-
If you are a property owner in Edinburgh and require asbestos removal or any asbestos-related service throughout Edinburgh, London or any part of the UK, Asbestos Surveys & Advice can assist. We cover all Edinburgh and London areas from our centrally based offices. We also cover the whole of the UK through our local, strategically located offices. We will always provide the most appropriate, cost-effective advice for any asbestos removals or asbestos queries that you may have. Asbestos testing and sampling may be required before we can advise.

Asbestos at work-
As part of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), it is a requirement that anyone who is likely to come into direct contact with asbestos-containing material (ACM) through their work-related activities should have received some kind of asbestos awareness training. it is also a requirement to have an asbestos assessment in place prior to the commencement of any such works.

Workers most at risk-
The group of people most likely to come in to contact with asbestos are normally associated with the maintenance or installation of services in buildings. They include, caretakers, plumbers, joiners and electricians, heating and ventilation engineers, fire and security alarm engineers and IT cable installers or engineers. 
This list is by no means extensive. If you have any concerns or queries over the type of activity or work procedure you undertake within a property please check on the HSE website. Alternatively, contact ASA for free advice at our London or Edinburgh office. Asbestos removal may be required before the works can be conducted-Always check. Asbestos testing may be required to confirm asbestos presence.

Why choose ASA?
We have maintained the highest level of professionalism for over 30 years. We are well known and have a longstanding reputation with many companies and organisations throughout Edinburgh, London and the whole UK. ASA conducts Asbestos surveys, testing and can fulfil all of your asbestos-associated requirements in line with the Control of Asbestos regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) 

We can help with your legal compliance with the latest 2012 Asbestos Regulations!

Our Local and National Asbestos surveyors offer all the following services;

building