Management and refurbishment surveys for any building constructed before 2000 — accredited laboratory analysis and a full written ACM register.
An asbestos-containing material (ACM) survey is an inspection carried out by a qualified surveyor to identify materials within a building that may contain asbestos. Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, and under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, duty holders have a legal obligation to manage the risk.
During a survey, the surveyor inspects accessible areas of the building and takes samples of suspect materials, which are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The results are compiled into a detailed written report, including an ACM register, condition ratings, and recommended management actions.
The standard survey for occupied buildings. It identifies ACMs that could be disturbed during normal occupation and maintenance, so they can be managed safely in place.
Required before any significant refurbishment or demolition work. This intrusive survey locates all ACMs that may be disturbed by the planned works, ensuring safe removal prior to commencement.
Under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, duty holders must manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. Failure to comply can result in prosecution and significant fines.
Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Identifying and managing ACMs protects occupants, contractors, and maintenance workers from exposure.
Mortgage lenders, insurers, and commercial tenants increasingly require an up-to-date asbestos management report as part of due diligence on pre-2000 buildings.
Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). If you own or manage a non-domestic premises, you have a legal duty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to manage asbestos risk. For residential properties, a survey is strongly recommended before renovation or purchase.
A management survey is the standard survey for occupied buildings. It identifies ACMs that could be disturbed during normal day-to-day use, so they can be safely managed in place. A refurbishment and demolition survey is more intrusive and is required before any significant building work. It locates all ACMs that may be disturbed by the planned works, so they can be safely removed beforehand.
The on-site inspection typically takes two to four hours for a standard domestic or small commercial property. The surveyor then sends samples to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The full written report, including your ACM register and condition ratings, is normally delivered within five to seven working days.
Asbestos is only dangerous when fibres become airborne — for example when materials are drilled, cut, or disturbed. ACMs that are in good condition and are not likely to be disturbed can often be safely managed in place rather than removed. Your survey report will include condition ratings and clear recommendations for each material identified.