The dangers of disturbing asbestos are well-known. When asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are cut, drilled, or broken during refurbishment or demolition work, they can release microscopic, harmful fibres into the air. Inhaling these fibres can lead to serious lung diseases many years later. This is precisely why a detailed R&D survey is absolutely critical. It’s designed to locate all reasonably accessible and inaccessible ACMs that could be disturbed by your planned work, regardless of how small. This proactive approach protects your workers, the public, and avoids potentially massive project delays and fines down the line.

Unlike a less intrusive management survey, our Refurbishment & Demolition survey is a deeply investigative process. Our trained technicians will access all areas that your planned work might impact. This means carefully opening up walls, ceilings, floors, and other structural elements to find hidden asbestos. We look for all types of asbestos-containing materials, including asbestos insulating board (AIB), pipe lagging, cement products, textured coatings (like Artex), and floor tiles. The aim is to provide a complete picture of any asbestos present at the building level, allowing you to plan your project with full knowledge and implement safe working practices.

For anyone planning refurbishment or demolition work on a non-domestic property, or even on a domestic property where contractors will be involved, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) places clear legal duties. You, as the duty holder or project manager, are legally required to identify and assess the risk of asbestos before work begins. Our R&D survey provides the essential information needed to meet this legal need. Failing to conduct the required survey before work starts can lead to significant penalties, project halts, and, most importantly, puts lives at risk.