When buying or selling a house, or even contemplating renovation or DIY tasks, you should be aware of the potential risks posed by any Asbestos-Containing materials that may be present.

If you are a buyer or seller, the presence of Asbestos-Containing material has the potential to substantially adversely affect the value of the property.

ACM Management Solutions Ltd is an independent company with specialist knowledge to undertake asbestos surveys. In most cases, the building surveyors who undertake pre-sale surveys do not have this specialist knowledge and their reports will usually carry a disclaimer in respect of asbestos. So why is it important that you understand whether asbestos is present?

 

 

Asbestos was extensively used in building products throughout the twentieth century. Banned from commercial use in 1999, Asbestos-Containing materials are known to be present in thousands of homes throughout the Country.

Inhalation of asbestos fibres is responsible for more than 3,000 deaths per year according to the Heath & Safety Executive’s current assessment.

 

• Thermal & acoustic insulation
• Decorative coatings such as Artex
• Thermo-plastic floor tiles
• Cement roofing, gutters & down pipes
• Soffit boards

• Ceiling tiles
• Stud walls & partitions
• Flue pipes & chimneys
• Electrical fuse boards & switch-gear
• Toilet cisterns & water tanks

   
 

1880— Blue asbestos rope and yarns used for lagging
1920 — Pre-formed asbestos lagging shapes
1935— First blue asbestos sprayed coatings
1950-1980— Widespread use of brown asbestos ceiling tiles & wall boards (AIB)
1970— Voluntary ban on use of blue asbestos
1973 — Voluntary ban on spraying, less use for lagging
1983 — Voluntary ban on brown asbestos & production of AIB
1985 — Prohibition of importation, supply & use of blue & brown asbestos
1988 — Production of asbestos textured coating stops
1992 — Asbestos (prohibition) Regulations ban use of blue & brown and white asbestos in Artex
1999 — Prohibitions (amendments) Regulations — all uses of asbestos banned, except specialist uses

 
 

DIY activities or building works which involve drilling, sanding, sawing or removal of any Asbestos-Containing Materials will almost certainly release asbestos fibres into the air.

If inhaled, asbestos fibres may be deposited in the airways and lung tissue which can cause irreversible scarring and render sections of the lungs unusable. Each subsequent exposure increases the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease which can result in an untimely death.

Asbestos in the home does not pose a health risk unless the material is broken, deteriorating, or disturbed in such a way that asbestos dust is produced.

The cost of employing the required Specialist Contractors licensed by the HSE to remove and dispose of Asbestos-Containing Materials is very high due to the strict legislative controls. It is vital therefore to determine the location, extent and type of Asbestos in the home prior to purchase or undertaking any refurbishment.

 

 

ACM is accredited to ISO 9001:2000 quality standards for Asbestos Surveys with specialist Building Surveyors who are qualified to undertake both Asbestos and Disability Access Audits. ACM is fully insured against all eventualities

 

 
 

Over 70% of UK homes potentially contain asbestos in some form.


Increasing numbers of mortgage lenders and conveyancing solicitors are advising prospective buyers to obtain Specialist Reports on Asbestos prior to exchange of contracts.

Although not covered by legislation, commissioning an Asbestos Survey is desirable, especially when considering the likely devaluation affect on the future price of the property.

Landlords have legal obligations under current legislation to identify and manage asbestos in the common parts of multi-occupation dwellings; failure to do so may lead to prosecution
   
 

For a fixed fee ACM will undertake a comprehensive physical survey of the property and produce an Asbestos Survey Report in accordance with HSE Document MDHS100; which will include a detailed Material Assessment on any Asbestos identified plus practical and impartial recommendations on any actions that may be necessary to ensure that occupants & workers are not put at risk through exposure to asbestos fibres.

We only undertake surveys, so we can be trusted to provide impartial, professional and practical advice.

We are fully insured against all eventualities and we are accredited to ISO 9001:2000 quality standards.

For information on what a survey entails or details on the costs of a survey for your type and size of house, please call our Customer Helpdesk