Our services
All our personnel have qualified with BOHS Building Surveying and bulk sampling for asbestos and they now have over 1,000 hours of experience working on all types of buildings throughout the UK.
We will give you a step by step guide to complying with the latest regulations working for a healthier workplace. Our commitment is to offer the best value and deliver a professional report with a CD following our survey. Download a sample report.
Domestic surveys
Although there is no legal obligation for homeowners to have a survey carried out it is becoming increasingly common for some kind of asbestos investigation during the purchase process, or for buy to let landlords. It is an area of the law that is often quoted as a grey area. The regulations cover work places and not the home, however when a homeowner instructs people to work in their home it has just become someones place of work.
We undertake sampling of individual specified areas of concern for example roof tiles, textured coatings, loft insulation, soffits and fascias and external buildings for a fixed price of £99 inclusive of one sample. Additional samples will be charged at £15 each.
We also provide full Type 2 Surveying in accordance with MDSH100 to include the costs of sample analysis and a full report at a fixed price as follows:
1 Bedroom House - £199
2/3 Bedroom House - £249
4 Bedroom House - £299
5 Bedroom House - £369
We will only advise removal of asbestos where it is absolutely necessary or when the client specifically requests it. In those circumstances, we can assist by instructing licensed removal contractors or for small works we are able to carry out the removal ourselves.
Asbestos building products were used extensively in houses and apartment blocks throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, and finally banned in 1999, although the more serious blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985.
Generally speaking, Asbestos is often best left alone, but it does depend on the type and position of the asbestos. Cutting, drilling and sanding some asbestos is particularly dangerous and must be avoided.
Problems often occur when doing “DIY” jobs, or when contractors are working in the house; or sometimes due to the position of the asbestos (an example would be Asbestos panelling on a constantly opening door, which could become vulnerable to damage).
Type 1 Asbestos Survey
- Health and Safety Compliance (MDHS100)
- Site Map
- Detailed Floor Plans showing locations
- Photgraphs of the locations
- Details of areas of presumed concern of ACMs
- Printed report with CD
Type 2 Asbestos Survey
- Health and Safety Compliance (MDHS100)
- Site Map
- Detailed Floor Plans showing locations
- Photgraphs of the locations
- Sampling of all accesible areas (without damage) of concern of ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials)
- Risk Assessment
- Details of areas of presumed concern of ACMS
- Printed report with CD
Type 3 Asbestos Survey
- Health and Safety Compliance (MDHS100)
- Site Map
- Detailed Floor Plans showing locations
- Photgraphs of the locations
- Sampling of all accesible areas (without damage) of concern of ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials)
- Risk Assessment
- Details of areas of presumed concern of ACMS
- Printed report with CD
Risk Management
This regulation requires people who control non-domestic premises or those controlling access to these premises to take reasonable steps to identify where asbestos may exist; to presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to the contrary; keep up-to-date records of the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs); assess the risk of the release of fibres from any ACMs; plan to properly control that risk; implement, monitor and review their plans; and ensure that employees, contractors, etc, are adequately informed and instructed of the precautions to be taken.
On completion of this process an Asbestos Management Plan must exist.
Our asbestos surveys all include both normal material assessments and importantly, risk assessment and management planning information delivered directly online through this site. This important value-added feature, empowers Duty Holders to substantially comply with the CAWR regulations by provision of an interactive and live record of ACMs, prioritised by risk-assessment, that employees, third party occupiers and maintainers can optionally access online, all as part of our survey service.
Fire Risk Assessment
Fire risk assessments
Ensure that you meet your legal obligations imposed by the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the fire risk so as to identify the general fire precautions necessary to protect all building occupants and reduce the instances of fire occurring.
Fire Safety Services fire advisors can conduct a fire risk assessment on your behalf and on completion provide you with a comprehensive document called a fire safety management plan (see table / PDF), or alternatively you can conduct an assessment your self (SME recommended only) by using our interactive fire risk assessment software CD-ROM.
Our fire risk assessment solutions
Fire Risk Assessment
Conducted by us from £250 We provide costs effective documented fire risk assessments, our assessments will not only identify and reduce the risk of fire occurring and ensure compliance with the Law, but will also ensure that you have appropriate precautions and safeguards in place to protect your staff and visitors. More Information.
Risk Assessment
Safety Software
£49.00 An unrivaled Workplace Fire Risk Assessment tool to assist you with your fire safety responsibilities. Considered a UK best value simple to operate programme designed to assist small & large businesses. More Information.
Asbestos removal London, UK
Many people have worries about asbestos, but undisturbed asbestos usually poses no problems. However, care should be taken to prevent the release of fibres as they can cause serious damage to your health.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a range of building materials to make them more rigid and fire resistant. It has also been used in household products such as ironing boards and oven gloves.
Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950s through to the mid 1980s.
Some of areas in your home where you may find asbestos include:
- eaves gutters and rainwater fall pipes
- fire blankets
- garage and shed roofs
- linings for walls, ceilings and doors
- insulation panels in some storage heaters
- bath panels
- central heating flues
- loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls
- floor tiles
Most people are exposed to low amounts of asbestos present in the atmosphere with no ill effects. Asbestos fibres and dust are potentially very dangerous if inhaled in higher concentrations over a period of time, when they can cause serious lung diseases including cancer. The symptoms of these diseases often do not appear for between 20 -30 years after exposure to asbestos.
What to do if you think you have asbestos in your home.
It is very hard to identify asbestos, but if you suspect that you are living with asbestos:
- don't panic and leave asbestos alone, it's safe unless it's damaged or disturbed
- never sand, drill or saw asbestos materials
- always seek professional advice before thinking of removing asbestos materials
- do not attempt to remove asbestos lagging, spray coatings or insulation board by yourself. These materials can only be safely removed by a licensed contractor
- sometimes it will be necessary to take a sample, for example to identify the type of asbestos.
Only employ a suitably trained person to sample or do a survey of the premises.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about asbestos inspections.
Apply for an asbestos inspection
Removing asbestos from your home
If you do choose to remove the non-licensable asbestos materials yourself it will help if you take the following precautions:
- wear a dust mask approved for asbestos;
- wear a disposable overall;
- keep other people away from the working area;
- wet the material well with water containing a little washing up liquid, check that there is no potential for contact with electricity first;
- always remove whole sheets or components, do not break them up;
- place any loose or small items in strong plastic labelled bags and seal;
- clean up all dust with a damp cloth and then seal it in a plastic bag whilst damp;
- do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner as dust may pass through the filter.
If you have removed asbestos from your home yourself, it will need to be disposed of separately from your normal household waste. You may be able to arrange to have it collected or there may be special facilities in your area you can use to dispose of hazardous waste. Contact your local council for further details.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about removing asbestos.
Find out about asbestos removal (opens new window) What to do if you are concerned about asbestos.
The Health and Safety Executive provides extensive information and advice on the use and removal of asbestos. Members of the public may contact the Health and Safety Executive infoline, 0845 345 0055, for general advice on asbestos.
Your council can offer advice to residents and businesses on what to do if it is thought that asbestos may be present in a building. Inspectors may visit the premises to confirm the presence of asbestos and advise on procedures for removal and disposal.
