Armco Asbestos Surveys
Contact us 0161 763 3727
Armco Asbestos Surveys
If you’re responsible for managing a commercial, industrial or public sector property, arranging a professional asbestos survey is often the first step towards protecting occupants, meeting your legal responsibilities and planning future maintenance or refurbishment safely.
At ARMCO, we provide comprehensive asbestos surveys across the UK for businesses, schools, healthcare providers, local authorities, housing organisations and property managers. Whether you require an Asbestos Management Survey to comply with your duty to manage asbestos or a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey before building work begins, our experienced surveyors deliver accurate, independent advice supported by detailed, easy-to-understand reports.
Every survey is carried out by experienced asbestos consultants using recognised industry guidance and UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis where sampling is required. Our aim is not only to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), but to provide the practical information you need to manage risk confidently and remain compliant with current asbestos legislation.
✔ Nationwide Coverage
✔ Experienced Asbestos Surveyors
✔ UKAS Accredited Laboratory Analysis
✔ Comprehensive Survey Reports
✔ Fast Turnaround
✔ Friendly Expert Advice
An asbestos survey is a systematic inspection of a building designed to locate, identify and assess the condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that may be present.
Although asbestos was widely used in buildings constructed before the year 2000, many materials remain perfectly safe provided they are in good condition and are not disturbed. The purpose of an asbestos survey is therefore not simply to find asbestos, but to determine whether it presents a risk and what action, if any, should be taken.
Depending on the type of survey required, our asbestos surveyors will:
The completed survey provides property owners and duty holders with the information needed to manage asbestos safely while complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
There are many situations where an asbestos survey may be required.
You may need an asbestos survey if:
If your property was built before 2000, there is a possibility that asbestos-containing materials remain within the building.
An asbestos survey enables these materials to be identified and managed appropriately, helping reduce risks to employees, contractors and building occupants.
The type of asbestos survey required depends entirely on how the building will be used.
At ARMCO we provide two principal types of asbestos survey.
An Asbestos Management Survey is the standard type of survey used for buildings that remain in normal occupation.
Its purpose is to identify asbestos-containing materials that could be damaged or disturbed during routine occupation, maintenance or minor works.
Management Surveys help duty holders comply with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, often referred to as the Duty to Manage Asbestos.
Following completion of the survey you’ll receive a comprehensive report enabling you to:
Management Surveys are commonly carried out in:
Learn more about our Asbestos Management Surveys →
A Refurbishment or Demolition Survey is required before any refurbishment, structural alteration or demolition work begins.
Unlike a Management Survey, this inspection is intentionally intrusive. It aims to identify all asbestos-containing materials likely to be disturbed during the planned works so they can be safely managed or removed before construction starts.
Typical projects include:
Because these surveys involve opening up walls, ceilings and floors where necessary, the surveyed areas are usually vacant at the time of inspection.
Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys help ensure contractors are not unknowingly exposed to asbestos during construction work.
Learn more about our Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys →
| Management Survey | Refurbishment Survey |
| Normal occupation | Before refurbishment |
| Routine maintenance | Structural alterations |
| Non-intrusive inspection | Fully intrusive inspection |
| Supports asbestos management | Required before building work |
| Building remains occupied | Surveyed areas usually vacant |
Many organisations aren’t certain which asbestos survey is appropriate for their circumstances.
Our experienced team will be happy to discuss your building, planned works and legal responsibilities before recommending the most suitable survey.
If you’re unsure, simply contact us for friendly, no-obligation advice.
Every asbestos survey follows a structured process to ensure any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are identified, assessed and accurately recorded.
Our experienced asbestos surveyors work carefully and methodically, providing clear advice at every stage.
Before visiting your property, we’ll discuss:
This allows us to recommend the most appropriate type of asbestos survey before work begins.
Our surveyor will carry out a systematic inspection of the property, examining all accessible areas where asbestos-containing materials may be present.
Depending on the survey type, this may include:
Management Surveys are designed to minimise disruption wherever possible, while Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys are intentionally more intrusive to identify all materials likely to be disturbed during planned works.
Where a material cannot be confidently identified through visual inspection alone, representative samples will be carefully taken.
Samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory to confirm:
Sampling is only carried out where necessary and in accordance with recognised industry procedures.
If you only need to identify a specific material rather than carry out a full property survey, our asbestos testing and sampling service may be more appropriate.
Following completion of the survey, you’ll receive a comprehensive report containing:
The report provides everything required to update your asbestos register and support your asbestos management plan.
Every asbestos survey carried out by ARMCO has three fundamental objectives.
Our surveyors will identify and record, as far as reasonably practicable, the location, extent and condition of any known or presumed asbestos-containing materials throughout the property.
Where asbestos cannot be confirmed immediately, materials may be presumed to contain asbestos in accordance with current legislation until proven otherwise.
Identifying asbestos is only part of the process.
We also assess:
This information allows appropriate management decisions to be made.
Where required, representative samples are analysed to identify the specific asbestos fibre present.
Where sampling is not appropriate, materials may be presumed to contain asbestos based on:
This approach is fully supported by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
One of the most common questions we receive is:
“Can you tell if something contains asbestos just by looking at it?”
Sometimes the answer is yes—but not always.
Our experienced asbestos surveyors are trained to recognise hundreds of different building products that were historically manufactured using asbestos.
Visual inspection considers:
Where there is any uncertainty, representative samples are taken for laboratory analysis.
Asbestos was used in thousands of construction products prior to the year 2000.
Common examples include:
Not all of these materials automatically present a risk.
The condition of the material and the likelihood of disturbance are often far more important than simply whether asbestos is present.
Some construction materials are highly unlikely to contain asbestos.
Examples include:
However, identifying asbestos is not always straightforward.
Many buildings have undergone several refurbishments over the years, meaning asbestos-containing materials and modern materials may exist side by side.
This is why professional inspection remains essential.
Occasionally certain areas cannot be inspected during an asbestos survey.
Examples include:
Where inspection cannot safely take place, materials may be presumed to contain asbestos until further investigation is possible.
This cautious approach ensures duty holders remain compliant while protecting anyone who may later disturb concealed materials.
Finding asbestos does not necessarily mean it must be removed.
Many asbestos-containing materials remain perfectly safe provided they are:
Where materials are damaged or likely to be disturbed, our report will recommend the most appropriate course of action.
This may include:
Our aim is always to recommend the safest and most practical solution for your property.
An asbestos survey is far more than a compliance document.
It provides the information needed to:
By understanding exactly where asbestos-containing materials are located and their condition, you can make informed decisions that protect both people and property.
For more information about our Asbestos Surveys and the services we offer, speak to our team now on 0161 763 3727, or alternatively complete the contact form on this page and we’ll call you back.
Choosing the right asbestos consultancy is about far more than simply obtaining a survey report. You need experienced professionals who understand both the technical requirements and the practical challenges of managing asbestos safely within occupied buildings.
At ARMCO, we’ve built our reputation by providing accurate surveys, clear advice and practical recommendations that help organisations remain compliant while protecting the people who use their buildings.
Whether you’re responsible for a single commercial property or managing a nationwide property portfolio, our experienced surveyors deliver the same professional approach and attention to detail on every project.
✔ Experienced Asbestos Consultants
✔ Nationwide Coverage
✔ Comprehensive Survey Reports
✔ UKAS Accredited Laboratory Analysis
✔ Commercial, Industrial & Public Sector Specialists
✔ Fast Turnaround Times
✔ Friendly Expert Advice
✔ Independent & Professional Service
✔ Surveys Completed in Accordance with Current Legislation
Our surveyors work across a wide range of property types throughout the UK.
Education
Schools
Colleges
Universities
Academies
Healthcare
Hospitals
GP Practices
Health Centres
Care Homes
Commercial
Offices
Retail
Shopping Centres
Hotels
Restaurants
Industrial
Factories
Warehouses
Manufacturing Facilities
Distribution Centres
Residential
Housing Associations
Apartment Blocks
Communal Areas
Student Accommodation
If you are responsible for a non-domestic property built before 2000, you may have duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. An asbestos survey helps identify asbestos-containing materials so they can be managed safely.
An asbestos survey assesses the building, identifies suspected asbestos-containing materials and evaluates their condition.
Asbestos testing is the laboratory analysis of individual material samples to confirm whether asbestos is present.
Testing often forms part of a survey but can also be carried out independently.
The time required depends on the size, complexity and accessibility of the property.
Small offices may take only a few hours, while larger industrial or public buildings may require a full day or longer.
Management Surveys are designed to minimise disruption wherever possible.
Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys are more intrusive and usually take place in areas that have already been vacated before building work begins.
Finding asbestos doesn’t automatically mean it must be removed.
Many asbestos-containing materials remain perfectly safe if they are in good condition and properly managed.
Your survey report will explain exactly what action, if any, is recommended.
Management Surveys should be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to the building or its use.
Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys are required whenever intrusive building work is planned.
Yes.
Our experienced surveyors provide asbestos surveys for organisations throughout the United Kingdom.
Report times vary depending on the size of the survey and laboratory analysis requirements, but we’ll always advise expected turnaround before work begins.
An asbestos survey is often the first step in managing asbestos safely.
ARMCO also provides:
Helping duty holders meet their ongoing legal responsibilities.
Required before intrusive building work begins.
UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis of suspected materials.
Helping organisations maintain compliant asbestos registers and management plans.
Helping staff understand asbestos risks and legal responsibilities.
We also have a face fitting service as masks are required to be worn when working with asbestos.
We also train people to work safely with non-licensed products.
Step 1 – Contact our team
Step 2 – Arrange your survey
Step 3 – Receive your comprehensive report
Step 4 – Manage asbestos safely with confidence
Whether you require an Asbestos Management Survey, a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey or simply expert advice, our experienced consultants are here to help.
We’ll discuss your building, explain which survey is appropriate and provide a clear quotation with no obligation.
Call ARMCO today
or
Request a Free Quotation Online
Don’t require a full asbestos survey? Just want some suspect material to be tested for asbestos? We provide an asbestos sampling and asbestos testing service where samples can be taken from your property by one of our asbestos Surveyors and then sent to a UKAS accredited laboratory to be tested. Contact us to find out more on 0161 763 3727.
As well as asbestos surveys, we also offer comprehensive Asbestos Awareness Training. We’ve provided asbestos training to thousands of companies through the UK both large and small enabling them to deal with certain aspects of Asbestos themselves. We also provide an online asbestos awareness training course. See our dedicated training site for more information.
