When it comes to demolishing a building, there’s one step that must happen before a single wall comes down and skipping it is illegal. A Demolition Survey is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Demolition work is one of the highest-risk activities when it comes to asbestos disturbance. Without knowing exactly where asbestos-containing materials are located, workers and members of the public can be exposed to dangerous fibres without even realising it.
What is a Demolition Survey?
A Demolition Survey is the most thorough type of asbestos survey available. Its purpose is to locate all asbestos-containing materials within a building before any demolition work takes place.
A Demolition Survey assumes that the building will be completely stripped and demolished. This means it is intrusive by nature and surveyors will access all areas of the building, including those that would normally remain undisturbed.
This type of survey is required before:
- Full or partial demolition of a building
What the law says about Demolition Surveys
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, a Demolition Survey is a legal requirement before demolition works begin on any building that may contain asbestos, this is typically those built or refurbished before the year 2000.
Failure to carry out a Demolition Survey before works begin can result in:
- Prosecution and significant financial penalties
- Enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Serious risk of harm to workers, contractors, and the public
- Costly project delays and emergency remediation work
The duty to ensure this survey is completed falls on the person responsible for the building or the project, whether that’s the Building Owner, Principal Contractor or Client.
Why Demolition Surveys matter
Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye. When disturbed during demolition, they can become airborne and inhaled and the consequences can be threatening. Asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma can take 15–60 years to develop, meaning that exposure today may not manifest as illness for decades to come.
An estimated 1.5 million UK buildings still contain asbestos. Many of those buildings may require demolition in the coming years. Getting this right isn’t just a legal box to tick. It’s a responsibility to protect the people carrying out the work and the communities around them.
How Enquin supports with Demolition Surveys
At Enquin, our experienced Surveyors carry out fully compliant Demolition Surveys, ensuring all asbestos-containing materials are identified and documented before any work begins.
Demolition Surveys offer a thorough, intrusive survey carried out by qualified professionals with UKAS-accredited analysis.
Detailed reporting then ensures clear, comprehensive reports that give Contractors and Clients exactly what they need to plan works safely and compliantly.
Management of Asbestos Remediation may also be advised where asbestos removal is required before demolition can proceed. We can manage the process from start to finish, working alongside Licensed Removal Contractors to ensure works run safely and smoothly.
Work with us
We work closely with Contractors and Clients throughout every stage of the process, ensuring asbestos risks are managed proactively. If you’re planning demolition or works and need expert guidance, get in touch with our team today. We’ll make sure you’re fully compliant and protected every step of the way.