How often should an asbestos survey be completed ?

Asbestos remains a significant health risk in many older buildings, and effective management is essential to ensure the safety of occupants, workers, and the general public. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, duty holders — typically property owners, landlords, or managing agents — are legally responsible for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises and the common areas of residential buildings. One of the most important questions for duty holders is: how often does an asbestos survey need to be undertaken?

Initial Survey vs. Ongoing Management

There is no legal requirement to repeat an asbestos survey at fixed intervals. However, the initial asbestos survey — either a management survey or a refurbishment/demolition survey — is only the first step. The law requires the information from that survey to be used to compile and maintain an asbestos register, and this register must be kept up to date through regular inspections and reviews.

Regular Re-Inspections

After the initial management survey, any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) identified must be re-inspected regularly, typically every 12 months, to ensure that their condition has not deteriorated. This is not a full survey in the traditional sense but a re-inspection survey, which checks the known ACMs recorded in the asbestos register and updates their risk assessment accordingly.

If any deterioration, damage, or disturbance is found during a re-inspection, the asbestos register and management plan must be updated, and appropriate action must be taken — whether that means repair, encapsulation, or removal.

When a New Survey Is Required

While routine re-inspections are important, a new asbestos survey may be required in certain situations:

1. Refurbishment or Demolition: Before any major refurbishment, structural changes, or demolition work, a Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) survey must be carried out. This is a more intrusive survey and is necessary even if a management survey has already been completed.

2. Changes to Building Layout or Use: If the building layout has changed significantly, or if previously inaccessible areas are now open, a new or updated survey may be needed to assess these parts of the building.

3. Deterioration or Suspected Damage: If ACMs have been disturbed, damaged, or exposed due to building work or other factors, a new survey or sampling may be required to reassess the risk.

4. Loss of Documentation: If the original survey or asbestos register has been lost or is no longer available, a new survey should be undertaken to establish a clear understanding of asbestos presence and condition.

Conclusion

In summary, an asbestos survey does not have a fixed expiration date, but its relevance depends on the accuracy and currency of the information it provides. The initial survey is a starting point, but regular annual re-inspections are legally required to ensure ACMs remain in a safe condition. New surveys must be conducted before refurbishment or demolition work, or if building use or structure changes. Staying proactive with asbestos management is not just a legal duty — it’s a vital step in safeguarding health and avoiding unnecessary risks.