Types of Asbestos Surveys and When They Are Needed – Guest Article by Artisan Environmental

When considering both efficient and compliant management of Asbestos within properties and sites that you occupy, manage, develop, or are looking to acquire, it is important that you carry out the correct type of survey, at the right time and in the right order.

There are different types of asbestos survey, each designed for different scenarios and timelines. Let’s consider a brief overview of each;

Asbestos Management Survey. This is a full inspection and sampling survey of a building, with detailed investigation of every floor, room, basements, roof voids, external fabric and outbuildings. All accessible areas and building components are accessed, however no damage is caused to building fabric or décor. Only accessible Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) will be sampled and recorded. Any suspect materials that can be accessed should be sampled for analysis and should not be just presumed to contain asbestos.

Management Surveys are appropriate for acquisition Due Diligence prior to purchase, and for creating an Asbestos Register for ongoing management of an occupied building or site. While legally required for management of commercial buildings and the communal areas of residential flats, it may also be prudent to consider for a residential purchase to reduce potential risk, both to health and financially.

The building areas should be vacant for the survey, and damage will likely be caused to building fabric to gain the level of access required. For smaller refurbishment projects it is often  possible to make good and re-occupy, or even conduct a specifically tailored survey on an occupied building. A good consultant should be able to assess your SoW and advise accordingly on this matter to help you minimise disruption, cost and risk.

Asbestos Demolition Survey. This is a fully intrusive survey carried out in the same way as a Refurbishment Survey. The 2 survey types are collectively known as Asbestos Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys.

All areas of the building fabric must be fully accessed to identify all ACMs prior to demolition. The building should be vacant, and due to the level of access and damage required it is usually not economical to make good and re-occupy prior to demolition.

Asbestos Sampling Survey. In certain circumstances, for example where an asbestos register is in place but a room or part of the building fabric was excluded, then a sampling survey can be carried out to specifically take samples of suspect materials without conducting a full survey. This approach should be used with care and should not replace a Management or R&D Survey.

Asbestos Re-Inspection Survey. Once ACMs have been identified within a building, the survey report will include an Asbestos Register. This should include details of the type of material, location, asbestos type, finish and condition, along with a Material Risk Assessment (MA) of each ACM and a recommendation on how the material should be treated or managed moving forwards.

The ‘Duty Holder’ in charge of the building should then put in place an Asbestos Management Plan, including a Priority Risk Assessment (PA), which assesses the likelihood that each ACM may be accessed or potentially damaged considering different variables around occupation and use of the building. The combination of the MA and PA will then give the overall Risk Assessment score of each ACM and this in turn will help to manage and prioritise any required remedial actions.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR2012) specifies that ACMs should be inspected annually, primarily to ensure the level of damage has not changed, hence increasing the risk level of that material. This is carried out by means of an Asbestos Re-Inspection Survey in order to maintain ongoing compliance.

Do I only need one survey type? Different surveys can be conducted in sequence to reduce risk while maintaining compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. For example, an Asbestos Management Survey prior to purchase will locate most, if not all ACMs within the building in the majority of cases, thereby significantly reducing risk of unknown costs following acquisition. This survey could also be carried out at the early stages of a development project if the building is still occupied, again to identify ACMs and reduce risk of disruption to the SoW.

Once the building is acquired and/or vacated the survey can then be topped up to an R&D Survey to ensure compliance prior to refurbishment, conversion or demolition. Any ACMs that remain in situ can then be monitored annually by way of a Re-Inspection survey to ensure the Asbestos Management Plan remains up to date and in compliance with the legislation.

The earlier you speak to an asbestos consultant prior to acquisition or while planning proposed works the better. This will ensure that the right surveys can be scheduled at the right time and will save you from headache and undue cost down the line.

Alec Smith BS. AFAAM
Director

If you need any help with Asbestos Surveys and Management then you can get in touch with Artisan at;

Tel:      01329 800650
Email: enquiries@artisanenvironmental.co.uk
Web:   www.artisanenvironmental.co.uk

Fire Door Safety Week – 21- 27 September 2020

RES are once again supporting Fire Door Safety Week by helping to spread the word on the importance of correctly fitted and maintained Fire Doors.

Everyone can play their part in ensuring a fire door performs as it should, from the manufacturer through to the building users, and this is why the annual Fire Door Safety Week campaign exists.

During the event week we aim to post articles and information in support of our Fire Door services:

• Fire Door Installation
• Fire Door Inspections and Maintenance
• Fire Door Repairs
• Fire Door Guidance, Advice and Training

For more information about Fire Door Safety Week

https://www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/FDSafetyWeek

https://resfire.co.uk/fire-doors-london-reading/

#FIREDOORSAFETYWEEK

Natural and mechanical ventilation systems

RES Fire Protection Engineers offer help to repair and service/maintain smoke ventilation systems installed within a building. We cover businesses and residential premises across the south of England.

Smoke control/ventilation systems can be divided into natural/passive or mechanical systems.

A natural ventilation system relies on the natural movement of smoke and hot gasses, venting these through an opening. The opening can be a window, vent or a ventilation shaft, these can be permanently open, be manually opened or have an automatic opening mechanism attached to them. Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) can be opened by actuating arms attached to windows, hatches or doors etc and activated by local smoke detectors which automatically open that vent. The AOVs normally have a local manual back up switch/button (a call point) as well. Once opened/activated the vents allow smoke and heat to leave the building/area, offering a safe means of escape for occupants, with greater visibility and access for fire-fighters.

Natural systems also offer normal ventilation and allow a natural flow of air to enter a building.

Mechanical ventilation systems extract heat and smoke from a building by using mechanical means, fans etc and forced air movement. Mechanical ventilation is normally interlinked with the Buildings Management System (BMS) and incorporates a control panel, secondary power supplies, dampeners that operate to blocking smoke from entering a floor where there is no fire, but opening on the fire floor to allow smoke to leave etc.

Mechanical smoke control systems include Smoke Pressurisation Systems (SPS) these are designed to stop smoke circulating by introducing clean air into the stairwells etc. This increases the air pressure in the stairwell and reduces air pressure in other areas to create safe and clear escape route for building occupants as well as a rescue route for firefighters.

Maintenance of these systems has to not only check each element is intact but that each is talking to the main control systems that govern them.

Smoke control/ventilation systems are a requirement of the Building Regulations.

Smoke control/ventilation systems with RES Fire Protection Engineers

Our experienced team of engineers can maintain, repair or replace installed smoke control /ventilation systems within a building, including extraction systems for car parking areas.

We work with systems manufacturers and accredited service and maintenance providers to ensure that smoke control/ventilation systems we work on adhere to current legislation and requirement.

We cover the South of England, London, Berkshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, West & East Sussex.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) SOCIAL DISTANCING SIGNS

RES can now provide the following signage:

• Social Distancing Signs (With 1 metre update)
• PPE Signs
• Hand-washing Hygiene Signs
• Floor Markings
• One-way system Signs
• Bio-hazard Signs

“Government guidance recommends”

“Introducing more one-way flow through buildings. Providing floor markings and signage should remind both workers and customers to follow social distancing
wherever possible.

Reducing maximum occupancy for lifts, providing hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts and encouraging use of stairs wherever possible.

Encouraging customers to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the premises to reduce the risk of transmission by touching products while
browsing.

Using floor tape to mark areas to help people keep to a 2m distance.

Providing clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene to people on arrival, for example, signage and visual aids.”

From the JALITE Catalogue

See the  full catalogue and call us for more information.

Additional 1 metre supplement catalogue is here

All products are provided by Jalite. RES are an authorised distributor of Jalite products.

Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020

We conirm we have complied with the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.

• FIVE STEPS TO SAFER WORKING TOGETHER

BUSINESS CONTINUITY: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update – 14 May 2020

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is a concern to us all and we want to keep our customers and supply partners updated about what we are doing in accordance the Government guidelines.

In line with the guidance from the Home Office that ‘personnel responding to failures of fire protection systems are designated as key workers to ensure we maintain public fire safety’, we are committed to supporting customers’ requirements at all times.

We have in place a policy (see our Working with COVID-19 strategy) with robust procedures to ensure that our engineers are available to safely provide essential life safety routine service & maintenance services as well as 24/7 callout services.

RES will continue to monitor Government advice (see Working safely during COVID-19 in offices and contact centres GOVT guidance 11-05-20, and also Working safely during Covid 19 Vehicles 11-05-20) and our working situation will be continuously reviewed to ensure we comply at all times.

The safety of all staff, customers, supply partners and professional contacts continues to be paramount, so the strictest hygiene standards are being followed by our engineers and office staff.

Thank you for your continued support and we will be regularly updating information on our web site and social media channels.

Kind regards,

Directors of RES Systems Ltd

BUSINESS CONTINUITY: Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency update

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency situation is a concern to us all and we want to keep our customers and supply partners updated about what we are doing in accordance the Government guidance.

In line with the guidance from the Home Office that ‘personnel responding to failures of fire protection systems are designated as key workers to ensure we maintain public fire safety’, we are currently operating with a ‘skeleton staff’ consisting of key office staff and a small number of engineers.

We have in place a policy with robust procedures to ensure that designated engineers are available to safely provide essential life safety routine service & maintenance services as well as 24/7 callout services when requested by a customer. We are available on all our usual methods of contact.

RES will continue to monitor Government advice and our working situation will be continuously reviewed to ensure we comply to their guidelines at all times.

The safety of all staff, customers, supply partners and professional contacts continues to be paramount, so the strictest hygiene standards are being followed by our engineers and at our premises should a member of staff need to be there for essential reasons. We are continually reminding our staff to wash their hands regularly and NOT to shake hands or have any physical contacts with customers as well as maintaining social distancing rules at all times.

We are in the enviable position of having a robust infrastructure as well as experienced and dedicated employees that enables our designated skeleton staff members to meet the requirements of our customers.

We appreciate your understanding as the situation evolves and reassure you that we are here to meet your fire safety requirements at all times.

Thank you for your continued support and we will be regularly updating information our web site and social media channels.

Kind regards,

RES Systems Ltd

BUSINESS CONTINUITY DURING LOCKDOWN FROM 23-03-20: COVID-19 UPDATE

In these uncertain times caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to keep our customers and supply partners informed about what we are doing during the three week lockdown announced by the Government on Monday night.

We have been assured by the Home Office via the FIA, that ‘personnel responding to failures of fire protection systems are definitely designated as Key Workers to ensure we maintain public fire safety.’

Therefore, we have put in place procedures to ensure that our engineers are avaliable to provide essential life safety callout services when requested by a customer.

RES will continue to monitor Government advice and our working situation will be continuously reviewed to ensure we comply to their guidelines at all times.

The safety of all staff, customers, supply partners and professional contacts continues to be paramount, so the strictest hygiene standards are being followed by our engineers and at our premises should a member of staff need to be there for essential reasons. We are continually reminding our staff to wash their hands regularly and NOT to shake hands or have any physical contacts with customers by way of regular staff memos.

We are in the enviable position of having a robust infrastructure as well as experienced and dedicated employees that enables our office staff efficient remote working and our engineers to attend customer callouts.

If you require our callout services, our team are available on all our usual methods of contact 24/7.

We appreciate your understanding as the situation evolves and reassure you that we are here to meet your service callout requirements at all times.

Thank you for your continued support and we will be regularly updating information our web site and social media channels.

Kind regards,
RES Systems Ltd

BUSINESS AS USUAL: COVID-19 UPDATE

In these uncertain times caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to reach out to our customers and supply partners about what we are doing.

RES continues to keep a keen eye on Government advice and our working situation is under continuous review to follow their guidelines. The safety of all staff, customers, supply partners and professional contacts is paramount, and we have put in place procedures to ensure that we can continue to provide our services with as minimum interruption as possible.

The strictest hygiene standards are being followed at our premises. In addition, we are continually reminding our staff to wash their hands regularly and NOT to shake hands or have any physical contacts with customers by way of regular staff memos.

We are in the enviable position of having a robust infrastructure as well as experienced and dedicated employees that enables our office staff efficient remote working as and when required and our engineers to work in the field with minimal contact to one another, as well as customers by pre-arrangement.

Thankfully no suspected cases of COVID-19 have been reported among our staff. The company is still operating as fully as one would expect under the circumstances with those members of staff wishing to self-isolate being supported and provided with all available resources to work from home.

If you need any of our services, our team will be available on all our usual methods of contact 24/7.

We appreciate your understanding as the situation evolves and reassure you that we are available to meet your servicing and callout requirements.

Thank you for your continued support and we will be regularly updating information our web site and social media channels.

Kind regards,
RES Systems Ltd

Important update for customers regarding COVID-19