We undertake numerous asbestos Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys on behalf of developers nationwide every year. Whilst we work for large- and small-scale developers, some of the largest include, Bellway, Bovis Homes, Cala Homes, Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry.
The sites we attend vary significantly, from those which are being prepared for just a few new homes, to those which are going to have several thousand houses and the infrastructure which comes with that.
Surveys have included just a few buildings, through to the surveying of entire hospitals, schools, factories, and industrial sites due for demolition, together with the duct systems which run beneath sites of this nature. The land itself can also form part of the survey, particularly where buildings have previously been demolished and potentially contaminated the land. We have also had surveys where the land was once asbestos free but where for one reason or another is now ‘made ground’, involving the introduction of new material to level the ground, material which may have been contaminated, meaning the land itself is now contaminated.
Large sites can require multiple survey teams in order that we can work to tight deadlines, and they can pose additional challenges during the survey. For instance, surveys may require the provision of generators due to the site having been disconnected, surveyors who are confined space trained to access duct systems and surveyors who are PASMA and IPAF trained in order to utilize high level access equipment.
Sites may have been derelict for many years prior to being redeveloped, meaning they can often be in a poor state of repair, requiring additional risk assessments to ensure the health and safety of our staff and others who may be present on the site.
When it comes to the land itself, this may require trial pits, involving the use of an excavator, together with soil sampling to ascertain whether any resulting debris needs to be disposed of as asbestos waste. Using our third-party subcontractor, we can arrange the digging of trial pits and the analysis of soil samples, and depending on the results, this may lead to large scale remediation of land. We have significant experience in this area and undertake projects which require routine monitoring, sometimes for several years, where land is known to be contaminated and needs to be managed correctly prior to remediation taking place. Remediation may involve what is known as a ‘litter pick’, where the aim is to remove visible asbestos containing materials from soil to negate the removal of large quantities of soil, or full-scale removal of soil and demolition rubble if it is classed as too contaminated for a ‘litter pick’ to be sufficient. Whilst these remedial works are underway it is essential to ensure they are undertaken safely, which is where we are able to put in place a watching brief and air monitoring regime to give confidence to those working on the site and those who may live or work nearby. https://www.coresurveys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/asbestos-management-consultant-brighton-east-sussex.jpg