UK Cover, UKAS Accredited.

Sprayed LimpetSprayed asbestos ‘limpet’ to ceiling within a domestic property!

Welcome to Asbestos Building Surveys Ltd.

Asbestos Building Surveys Ltd. was formed in 1999. Since then, we have grown to become one of the most respected names in the industrial, commercial, insurance and property markets.

We are relied upon by countless large and small companies, property owners, Surveyors, Architects, Loss Adjusters, Insurers, and virtually anyone else with an interest in property.

Asbestos is an emotive subject; it is still the biggest industrial killer by far, and there is no known ‘safe level’ of asbestos exposure. The extent to which asbestos was used within structures is such that it has become known as ‘The Hidden Killer’.

Our business is built upon a desire to find asbestos presence, identify it, manage it on our clients behalf and, where relevant or required, arrange its’ removal.

Our main services and areas of expertise are as follows:-

• UKAS Accredited for undertaking Management, Refurbishment and Pre-demolition asbestos surveys in accordance with HSG 264 Asbestos: the survey guide

• UK wide surveying coverage and UK Bulk sample collection service with analysis through an independent UKAS Laboratory

• UKATA Accredited trainers providing both in-house and Open training courses for site personnel, management, surveyors, architects etc.

• Expert Witness Service

Asbestos paper backingAsbestos paper backing to linoleum – if this is glued to flooring its’ removal generally results in fibre levels above the Control limit (0.01 f/ml).

Asbestos Surveys

ABS is UKAS Accredited to conduct the following types of asbestos surveys:

Management surveys – used for the day to day management of ACMsReports are provided detailing all locations where asbestos containing materials (ACMs) have been identified, the type of asbestos, its’ condition, type of material and surface treatment.From this we provide recommendations for any remedial actions required and for the on-going management of any remaining ACMs. The reports include photographs of each item and a coloured location plan clearly identifying their locations within the building.

Refurbishment surveys – conducted prior to refurbishment of a building or part of.A refurbishment survey is a destructive survey of the whole or part of a building where works are planned. The aim of the survey is to fully identify all locations, including hidden locations, where ACMs have been used, thereby enabling proper pre-planning of any removal works prior to the refurbishment commencing.

CAR 2012 Regulation 7 (3) requires that all ACMs should be removed prior to demolition or major refurbishment.

Pre-demolition surveysA highly destructive survey of the whole building to fully identify all locations, including hidden locations, where ACMs have been used, thereby enabling proper pre-planning of any removal works prior to the demolition commencing.

Nationwide Bulk Sampling serviceUtilising P402 trained surveyors, we can collect bulk samples of suspect materials for analysis by an independent UKAS Accredited laboratory.While collecting the samples we also collect all relevant information on the location, extent and condition of the material together with other information on any issues that may affect removal works.From this information an asbestos contractor can generally provide a quote for any remedial works required without a further visit to site.This is a fast turnaround service ideally suited to the insurance market following damage to a property.

General builders at workThis is a photograph of an untrained builder removing items contaminated with asbestos (textured coating) without any RPE or PPE!

The Duty to Manage ACMs – CAR 2012 Regulation 4

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 includes duties to protect those, such as maintenance workers who come into contact with asbestos unknowingly or accidentally, and who are often not aware that they are working on materials containing asbestos. In the event that you are in any respect unclear about your duties, obligations or what steps to take next, we offer practical advice, guidance and training.

CAR 2012 includes a duty to manage the risk posed by ACM’s in non-domestic premises, but includes the common areas of residential properties. The definition of the Duty Holder as explained in the statutory instrument available from HMSO, (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office) is as follows:

“every person who has, by virtue of a contract or tenancy, an obligation of any extent in relation to the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises or any means of access there to or egress there from;”

The Duty Holder is required to:

• Assess whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises

• Assess the risk from the asbestos

• Take action to minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

Although Regulation 4 focuses on non-domestic properties, where refurbishment or demolition works are being undertaken in domestic properties, the Control of Asbestos Regulations still apply to the company undertaking the works – the domestic property is a place of work for their employees.

They have a duty to not only protect the health, safety and welfare of their workers and ensure that they are not exposed to asbestos fibres while carrying out their works, but they also have a duty to protect their client and the general public from exposure.

Training Services

One of the main areas of concern to the HSE is the continuing exposure of non-asbestos workers to asbestos fibres during their work in the construction and allied trades.

To address this concern they have now issued strict requirements concerning training that should be given to those involved. One particular area they have addressed is the requirement for Asbestos Awareness Training:

CAR 2012 Regulation 10 (1) Information, instruction and training.

Every employer shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to those of his employees who are, or are liable to exposure to asbestos, or who supervise such employees.

The Approved Code of Practice and Guidance Section 124 clarifies that this training should be given to those who are liable to disturb asbestos, such as:

General maintenance staff, electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, painters and decorators, jo iners , p las terers , demol i t ion workers , construction workers, roofers, heating and ventilation engineers, fire and burglar alarm installers, computer installers, shop fitters etc.

Also those professional personnel who supervise or manage projects such as, Architects, Building Surveyors and other such professionals. The training should be provided by someone who is competent to do so and who has adequate personal practical experience. Course notes and Training Certificates are issues to all delegates.

ABS is a member of UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association) and has signed up to their Code of Conduct. We offer regular customised half day Open courses at our East Kilbride training centre and in-house training at our clients’ premises.

Insulation layers to a ventilation systemMMMF wrapped with asbestos paper covered with a 100% chrysotile rope blanket.

Our sister company Damada started trading in 2004 and the Directors, Managers and Supervisors are experienced, qualified and trusted by construction professionals throughout the UK.

Damada hold a full H.S.E. Asbestos license (No. 4021004729), ARCA Membership and received the ARCA Quality Assurance Award and the ARCA Gold Award for Training. They provide an asbestos removal service within all building/construction; health, industrial, education, manufacturing, commercial and domestic sectors.

Long standing relations have been built with several large organisations for which they act on a UK-wide basis and are the sole supplier of asbestos removal and sampling services to several surveying practices, Architects, Loss Adjusters and insurance companies.

Their areas of expertise are as follows:-

• Notifiable and non-notifiable asbestos removal works

• Uplift & Disposal

• Encapsulation Specialists

• Bulk sample col lect ion and analysis through an independent UKAS Laboratory

Contact Damada on; 01355 271 999 info@damada.co.uk www.damada.co.uk

5 Wilson Place, East Kilbride, G74 4QDT: 01355 222 525, F: 01355 222 595in fo@ask-abs .co .uk , ask -abs .co .uk