Asbestos in Commercial Buildings
Buildings constructed prior to updated legislation in 2000 could contain asbestos. From domestic residences to commercial buildings asbestos was used in a variety of buildings from the 19th century onwards due to its heat, fire and sound protection qualities.
If you are looking to rent, buy, demolish or renovate a commercial building it is worth bearing in mind the following points :-
Asbestos in Commercial Buildings
The potential hazards to health caused by asbestos cannot be overstated. If built before 2000 there is a possibility that asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) may be present and if not managed and controlled properly could lead to serious risks to health.
Health Risks of Asbestos
When left undisturbed asbestos is not usually considered dangerous to health. Potential risks to health occur when asbestos is disturbed or damaged and fibres are released.
Asbestos fibres, which are invisible to the human eye, can cause significant diseases such as lung cancer and Mesothelioma. Fibres enter the lungs or digestive system usually by being inhaled and then become trapped inside the body. Over the course of years these fibres cause irritation and subsequently can lead to diseases specifically associated with asbestos exposure.
The likelihood of suffering from an asbestos related disease increases with the length of exposure however precautions should be taken to ensure human contact with fibres is prevented. If a building contains ACMs, their location and condition should be recorded so as to prevent them being disturbed, for example during building work or renovation.
Where is Asbestos Found in Commercial Buildings?
Asbestos can be found almost anywhere in buildings. Historically it has been used for all manner of applications from insulation to sound proofing. Asbestos was widely used due to its durability and fire resistance.
Common places to find asbestos:
- Flooring
- Walls
- Insulation
- Hot water tanks
- Roofs
- Ceilings
- Water pipes
The above list is not exhaustive and the best way to discover the presence of asbestos is to have a survey undertaken by a specialist Asbestos Surveying Company.
Whose Responsibility is Asbestos Management in a Commercial Building?
According to Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the ‘duty holder’ is responsible for the safe detection, management and monitoring of asbestos.
In a commercial building this may be anyone from the property owner or landlord to the tenant or managing agent.
Find the government guidelines for responsibility in commercial buildings here.
How to Deal with Asbestos in Commercial Buildings
If you have reason to believe there are ACMs in your commercial building here are some of the steps you should take.
- Asbestos register – The duty holder is responsible for the proper and safe management of asbestos. Their role includes keeping an active eye on asbestos within the building by creating an asbestos register. They should map out the building plans and record locations of any confirmed or suspected ACMs and their condition. Consulting older asbestos records may be useful for finding locations however they should not be relied upon as something may have been missed.
- Asbestos survey – Professional asbestos surveyors should assess the ACMs in the commercial building from their location and condition to the risk they pose. The professional surveyor can advise on management issues and remedial actions necessary. It is important to use a surveying company that has the experience and specialist knowledge to be able to advise on the correct measures required to safely manage any asbestos present.
- Asbestos management plan – The asbestos management plan outlines where ACMs are, their condition, their potential risks to human health, safe working practices to be implemented, and future monitoring processes. This plan is a legal requirement and helps to make building users aware of the risks.
- Asbestos action – Any action required may vary according to the amount of asbestos, its condition and the risk it poses, as detailed in the report issued by the professional surveyor. If asbestos is left in situ there has to be a management plan in place as detailed above. Asbestos Removal , if necessary should only be undertaken , in most cases , by a company licensed by the Health and Safety Executive to do so.
Failure to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 can lead to heavy fines and possible custodial sentences in more serious cases.
Learn More with Rightway Environmental
As experienced asbestos service providers, our team of experts here at Rightway Environmental are on hand to help you. From asbestos training and consultancy, to surveys and removal, we manage asbestos in a variety of buildings across sectors including residential, commercial and industrial.
Whether you need asbestos removal, a professional survey, or advice on asbestos management, Rightway Environmental can help.