Other Commercial Building Services
Asbestos Survey
An asbestos survey is a systematic inspection of a commercial building to identify, locate, and assess the condition of any materials containing asbestos (ACMs). The survey determines what asbestos-containing materials are present, where they are located, their condition, and the level of risk they pose.
Robinsons Facilities Services arranges professional asbestos surveys for commercial buildings across Yorkshire and the North of England, helping property owners and managers identify asbestos-related risks and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations. Surveys are delivered by competent surveyors operating to recognised industry standards.
Pricing from £650+VAT
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The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 place a duty on those who manage non-domestic premises to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials. A management survey by a competent surveying organisation, ideally UKAS-accredited to BS EN ISO/IEC 17020, is the accepted method of identifying ACMs, assessing their condition, and determining risk level. Survey records must be maintained and made available to those who may be exposed.
Is an asbestos survey a legal requirement?
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, those with responsibility for managing non-domestic premises must ensure that a suitable survey or risk assessment has been carried out to identify any asbestos-containing materials.
For any building constructed before 2000, an asbestos survey is effectively mandatory as part of the duty to manage. Buildings constructed after 2000 are assumed to be asbestos-free, but this should be verified if the building has undergone major refurbishment or repair.
Types of asbestos survey
Different situations require different survey approaches. Robinsons Facilities Services arranges surveys tailored to your building’s needs:
Management survey
Identifies asbestos-containing materials that are likely to be encountered during normal occupancy and routine maintenance. This is the most common survey type and is required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for existing buildings. The survey locates ACMs, assesses their condition, and determines the risk level based on how accessible or likely to be disturbed they are.
Refurbishment or demolition survey
Conducted before major renovation, refurbishment, or demolition work to locate all asbestos-containing materials that could be disturbed during the planned work. This comprehensive survey is essential to ensure safe removal or encapsulation before work begins, protecting workers and the environment.
Re-inspection survey
Conducted at regular intervals — typically annually for most commercial buildings, or more frequently where materials are in poorer condition or at higher risk of disturbance. This is to monitor the condition of previously identified asbestos-containing materials and verify that management plans remain effective. This confirms that ACMs remain undisturbed and in safe condition.
How asbestos surveys are carried out
Professional asbestos surveys follow a structured process to ensure comprehensive identification and accurate risk assessment.
Step 1 – Information gathering and planning
The surveyor gathers information about the building’s history, age, previous surveys, and construction details. Building plans and maintenance records are reviewed to identify likely locations of asbestos use.
Step 2 – Visual inspection
A thorough visual inspection of the entire building is conducted, including accessible areas of roof spaces, basements, plant rooms, and service voids. The surveyor identifies materials that may contain asbestos, such as ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boiler lagging, floor tiles, roofing materials, and sealants.
Step 3 – Bulk sampling and laboratory analysis
Samples of suspect materials are collected using safe handling procedures and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Results confirm whether materials contain asbestos and, if so, the type and percentage concentration.
Step 4 – Condition and risk assessment
Each identified asbestos-containing material is assessed for condition (good, fair, poor) and friability (likelihood of releasing fibres if disturbed). A risk rating is assigned based on accessibility and disturbance potential.
Step 5 – Report and management recommendations
A comprehensive survey report is produced detailing all findings, including location and condition of ACMs, risk assessments, and recommendations for management, monitoring, encapsulation, or removal. This report forms the basis of your asbestos management plan.
What happens after an asbestos survey?
The survey report provides the information you need to make informed decisions about asbestos in your building. Options typically include:
Management and monitoring
If asbestos is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, it can often be safely managed in place with regular inspections (typically 12–24 months) to monitor condition and ensure it remains undisturbed.
Encapsulation
A protective sealant can be applied to asbestos-containing materials to prevent fibre release. This is suitable when removal is not practical but protection is needed.
Removal
If asbestos is damaged, deteriorating, or in locations where it is likely to be disturbed, professional licensed removal may be necessary. Removal must be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor following strict safety protocols.
Asbestos surveys across Yorkshire and the North of England
Robinsons Facilities Services arranges asbestos surveys for commercial buildings across Yorkshire and the North of England, covering North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and surrounding regions.
We work with property managers, local authorities, healthcare providers, schools, multi-academy trusts, and commercial property owners across diverse building types and sectors. Read our testimonials.
Our survey partners operate to recognised competence standards and provide comprehensive, reliable assessments that satisfy regulatory requirements.
All surveys are delivered in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and by surveyors competent to relevant industry standards.
Pricing
Pricing from £650+VAT
The cost of an asbestos survey depends on the size, complexity, and type of building. A small office may cost significantly less than a large industrial facility or multi-storey building.
We provide a transparent quote before the survey is scheduled.
Prefer to speak to someone? Call 01423 226578 →
Related building compliance services
Asbestos surveys are one part of a comprehensive building compliance programme. Related services include:
- Building Compliance – Overall compliance strategy and risk assessment
- Commercial EPC – Energy performance certification for commercial buildings
Asbestos Survey FAQs
If your building was constructed before 2000, yes. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require those managing non-domestic premises to identify asbestos-containing materials. Buildings constructed after 2000 are assumed asbestos-free, but this may need verification if significant refurbishment has occurred.
Most existing buildings need a management survey to identify asbestos at risk of disturbance during normal use. If you are planning major refurbishment or demolition, a refurbishment/demolition survey is required. The surveyor will recommend the appropriate type based on your building and circumstances.
The visual inspection typically takes 1–3 days depending on building size and complexity. Laboratory analysis of samples takes a further 5–10 working days. The full report is usually delivered within 2–3 weeks of the initial survey.
The survey report will detail the location, condition, and risk level of any asbestos-containing materials. You can then decide whether to manage it in place (with regular monitoring), encapsulate it, or arrange for professional removal. Most asbestos-containing materials in good condition can be safely managed in place.
Re-inspection surveys are typically recommended annually for most commercial buildings where asbestos has been found, or more frequently where materials are deteriorating or at elevated risk of disturbance. Low-risk materials in very good condition may be reviewed less often — your surveyor will recommend an appropriate schedule based on the findings.
HSE sets the control limit at 0.1 asbestos fibres per cubic centimetre of air (0.1 f/cm3). The control limit is not a ‘safe’ level so you should aim to get the level as low as physically possible in your workplace.
A comprehensive report detailing: location and description of any asbestos-containing materials, laboratory analysis results, condition assessment, risk ratings, and recommendations for management, monitoring, encapsulation, or removal. The report forms the basis of your asbestos management plan and is required for compliance documentation.
Survey costs vary depending on building size and complexity, but are typically modest compared to the cost of managing asbestos problems if they arise. A survey is far less expensive than removing asbestos or dealing with health and safety breaches. Robinsons Facilities Services provides a clear quote before surveying begins.
An asbestos management plan is a written document that identifies asbestos-containing materials in your building, their location and condition, and the actions you will take to manage them (monitoring, encapsulation, or removal). It is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and should be readily available to anyone who may be exposed to asbestos.
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