Asbestos Survey & Sampling
We deliver BOHS P402 qualified Asbestos Surveying and UKAS accredited Sampling.
Removing asbestos begins with accurate identification.
Cordtape can assist you with locating and identifying Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in your commercial property or industrial site. Any building that was built before 1999 may contain asbestos, but with the right team at your disposal, this does not need to become a major concern.
We guarantee that your Asbestos Survey & Sampling requirements are resolved in accordance with HSE guidelines (HSG264), so you can make an informed decision about your options going forward.
Asbestos Management Survey
An Asbestos Management Survey involves a visual inspection of the affected site. A surveyor will access the property and sample any suspected Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs).
A report of findings will follow, enabling you to manage your ACMs on a day-to-day basis.
Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition Survey
Prior to planned refurbishment or demolition works, a fully comprehensive Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition Survey is required to identify Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs). This type of survey is intrusive to the areas affected by the planned refurbishment/demolition works only.
The survey report will highlight work that should be completed by an approved contractor following best practice methods. For more information on how asbestos exposure affects your health and when it poses a risk, read: Is Asbestos Always Dangerous? Once identified and removed, asbestos must be disposed of safely through licensed asbestos waste management.
HSG264 from scope to register
How an asbestos survey is carried out
A survey is only useful if it answers the question you actually have, whether that is managing a building day to day or clearing it for demolition. We agree the scope first, then work to HSG264 so the findings stand up to scrutiny.
STEP 1
Scoping the survey
We establish what the building is used for and what work is planned. That determines whether a management survey or a refurbishment and demolition survey is appropriate, and how intrusive the inspection needs to be.
STEP 2
Site inspection and sampling
A BOHS P402 qualified surveyor works systematically through the agreed areas, recording suspected asbestos containing materials and taking representative samples under controlled conditions.
STEP 3
UKAS accredited analysis
Samples are analysed under UKAS accreditation, so the identification of asbestos type is independent, traceable and defensible.
STEP 4
Reporting and the asbestos register
Your report sets out the location, type, extent and condition of each material, with photographs, plans, material assessment scores and clear recommendations. This forms the basis of your asbestos register.
STEP 5
Agreeing the next step
Not everything found needs removing. We help you decide between managing material in place, encapsulation, or planned asbestos removal, and set out re-inspection intervals.
Buildings we survey
Properties and projects we survey
Any building constructed or refurbished before 1999 may contain asbestos. What changes between sites is the access, the occupants and the pressure of the programme, and those factors shape how a survey is planned.
- Commercial offices and managed estates
Management surveys supporting the duty to manage, often carried out around tenants and normal business hours. - Industrial and manufacturing sites
Lagging, gaskets, panels and plant enclosures, surveyed around shutdowns and live process areas. - Schools and public buildings
Inspections timed for holidays and closures, with reporting written so non-specialist duty holders can act on it. - Retail and hospitality
Pre-refurbishment surveys where trading time is limited and the scope must be confirmed quickly. - Housing providers and landlords
Void property and communal area surveys covering textured coatings, floor tiles, soffits and garage roofs. - Demolition and redevelopment projects
Fully intrusive refurbishment and demolition surveys that give contractors a defensible basis for pricing and method.
Frequently asked questions
Asbestos survey and sampling FAQs
Which type of survey do I need?
If you are managing an occupied building, a management survey is normally sufficient. If you are refurbishing or demolishing, a refurbishment and demolition survey is required for the areas affected, because it is intrusive and looks behind and beneath finishes.
How long does a survey take?
It depends on the size, age and complexity of the building and on how much of it is intrusive. A small commercial unit may take part of a day; a large industrial site is planned in phases. We confirm the likely duration when the scope is agreed.
Do I need a survey if the building was built after 2000?
Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, so buildings completed after 2000 are unlikely to contain it. Later alterations using older stock are still possible, so a check is worthwhile before intrusive work.
What happens if asbestos is found?
Not every material needs removing. Material in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed can often be managed in place and re-inspected. Our guide explains when asbestos always needs to be removed.
When should a survey be commissioned?
Before any work that could disturb the fabric of the building, and as part of the duty to manage in non-domestic premises. See our guidance on when you should have an asbestos survey.
What should I ask a contractor beforehand?
Check qualifications, accreditation, scope and how the report will be delivered. Our article on what to ask an asbestos contractor before your survey sets out sensible questions.
What happens to material once it is removed?
It becomes hazardous waste and must be handled through licensed asbestos waste management, with consignment notes and disposal records issued for your files.
Know what you are dealing with
Talk to Cordtape about an asbestos survey
Tell us the age and use of the property and what work you are planning. We will confirm which survey you need, what it will cover and how quickly the report can be with you.
Request a consultation
Or call 0800 093 7810 to speak to the survey team.
