Asbestos Management Survey

If your property was built before the year 2000, there’s a strong chance it contains asbestos. For owners or managers of non-domestic premises, an asbestos management survey is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. At Blue A Ltd, we carry out comprehensive, UKAS-accredited surveys to locate and assess asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), ensuring they are managed safely and in compliance with the law.

Our surveys help protect building occupants, workers, and visitors, while giving you the information you need to maintain a legally compliant asbestos register and asbestos management plan.

This survey is essential to ensure the safety of building occupants and maintenance workers during normal daily use and minor works. It also forms the foundation for your asbestos register and asbestos management plan.

What Is an Asbestos Management Survey?

A management asbestos survey is designed to locate the presence, type, and condition of ACMs during normal property use. It identifies risks, helps plan safe maintenance, and ensures full regulatory compliance. Our survey includes:

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Sampling and laboratory analysis of suspected materials
• Assessment of the condition and potential for fibre release
• Creation of a legally compliant asbestos register
• Recommendations for safe management or removal

Typical inspection areas include ceiling voids, underfloor spaces, service ducts, lift shafts, and external elements such as soffits, gutters, and roof sheets.

This survey involves a visual inspection and may include minor intrusive work and sampling if necessary. It covers all accessible areas, including underfloor voids, ceiling spaces, service risers, lift shafts, and external features like soffits and gutters.

Who Needs a Management Asbestos Survey?

You require a survey if you:

• Own or manage commercial properties, public buildings, or shared areas in residential blocks
• Are planning routine maintenance or refurbishment work
• Are buying a property built before 2000 and want peace of mind before purchase

For property buyers, this survey can reveal hidden risks and prevent costly surprises after completion. Our statistics show that around 80% of pre-2000 properties contain asbestos, and nearly all buildings constructed before 1985 still contain or once contained ACMs.

When Do You Need an Asbestos Management Survey?

You need an asbestos management survey if you:

• Are responsible for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises
• Own or manage shared areas in residential buildings (e.g. corridors, lobbies)
• Are planning routine maintenance or low-risk refurbishment

Surveys are typically required for all commercial buildings built before 2000. The survey helps identify any risks present during day-to-day occupancy and ensures ongoing compliance with UK legislation.

Why Use a Specialist Asbestos Surveyor?

A general property surveyor can flag possible asbestos, but they are not asbestos specialists. Blue A surveyors have years of hands-on experience, taking thousands of samples and learning directly from lab results. This expertise allows us to spot suspicious materials instantly — even those commonly overlooked.

If asbestos is present in one area, there are often more materials containing it elsewhere in the property. Our thorough approach ensures nothing is missed.

What Does the Survey Cover?

Our asbestos management surveys are detailed and structured to meet HSE standards (HSG264). Each survey includes:

• A full inspection of all relevant building areas
• Sampling and laboratory analysis of suspected materials
• Assessment of ACM condition and potential for fibre release
• Creation of a legally compliant asbestos register
• Recommendations for ongoing management or removal

We also ensure that no assumptions or overlooked areas compromise the report's accuracy. Any inaccessible locations will be noted and managed appropriately until full inspection is possible.

Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos fibres, when disturbed, can cause serious and often life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Without a proper survey, there is a real danger that DIY work or routine maintenance could disturb asbestos unknowingly. This not only puts tradespeople, tenants or family members at risk of exposure but, in the case of workplaces, can also lead to severe legal consequences for the property owner or manager.

A management asbestos survey ensures that all asbestos-containing materials are identified, recorded and managed in a way that keeps everyone who enters the property safe.

Financial Risks – Why Early Detection Saves Money

Discovering asbestos after purchasing a property or during renovation work can result in significant and unexpected expenses.

While removing floor tiles that contain asbestos is generally a relatively low-cost task, the removal of bitumen adhesive can range from £5,000 to £10,000 on its own. For properties built before 1985 where asbestos has not yet been removed, the total cost of removal typically falls between £10,000 and £20,000 or more.

Even for buildings constructed between 1985 and 2000, removal costs, although lower, can still be substantial. Knowing the exact asbestos situation in advance gives you the ability to plan effectively and avoid unplanned financial strain.

Our Commitment to Quality – Avoiding Dangerous Oversights

In the asbestos surveying industry, competitive pressure can sometimes lead to compromised quality. Some companies limit the number of samples taken or rush through inspections in order to save time and reduce costs, which increases the risk of missing asbestos entirely.

At Blue A Ltd, we follow the official Asbestos Surveyor Guide in full, allowing 30 percent more time than the industry average for each survey to ensure inspections are carried out thoroughly. We adjust the time spent on-site whenever unexpected findings or complex property layouts require it.

We also provide our surveyors with the resources and support they need to work with care and precision. This commitment to quality safeguards your health, protects your investment and ensures full legal compliance.

Why Choose Blue A Ltd for Your Asbestos Management Survey?

Fully Accredited and Competent Surveyors

Our surveyors hold BOHS P402 qualifications and have extensive experience in surveying all types of buildings. We operate as a UKAS-accredited inspection body, guaranteeing technical competence and impartiality.

Fast Turnaround with In-House Analysis

With our own UKAS-accredited laboratory, we provide fast and accurate sample analysis, reducing delays in reporting and enabling you to take action quickly.

Compliant, Detailed Reports

Your report will include:

• Clear diagrams and plans
• Room-by-room findings
• Photographic evidence
• Lab results and recommendations

All data is presented in a format that helps you meet regulatory requirements, tender specifications, or audit criteria.

Ongoing Support & Management Plans

Following your survey, our team can assist you in:

• Developing a full asbestos management plan
• Maintaining and updating your asbestos register
• Training staff and contractors on ACM awareness

Book Your Asbestos Management Survey Today

Don’t leave your legal duties to chance. Contact Blue A Ltd today to arrange a fully compliant asbestos management survey.

We help you protect your staff, tenants, and the public—while keeping your property legally safe and operational.