Asbestos Surveys in Oldham

Asbestos survey in Oldham, Greater Manchester, carried out by HSG Surveys

Asbestos Survey Services Available in Oldham

In particular, we carry out all types of asbestos surveys for residential, commercial and industrial properties across Oldham and the surrounding OL1-OL4 postcode area. Because we only survey and do not remove asbestos, you receive a completely independent assessment with no vested interest in the outcome.

Asbestos Management Surveys Oldham

Specifically, an asbestos management survey is carried out on an occupied building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are present and could be disturbed during normal use or routine maintenance. As a result, it produces a written asbestos register and management plan, which is a legal requirement for most non-domestic premises under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012). In addition, we carry out asbestos management surveys across Oldham and the wider area — from commercial premises and industrial units through to schools, community buildings and older residential properties. Read our full guide to how management surveys work.

Asbestos Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys Oldham

Before any refurbishment, extension, or demolition work begins on a building constructed before the year 2000, a refurbishment and demolition survey is legally required. Specifically, this more intrusive survey locates all ACMs in the areas to be disturbed, including those concealed within floors, walls, ceilings and roof spaces. In particular, Oldham was at its peak one of the most productive cotton spinning towns in the world, with more cotton spindles than any other town in the global textile industry at the height of the Industrial Revolution. As a result, this extraordinary industrial heritage left a dense cluster of Victorian cotton mills, engineering works and workers’ terraces — many of which were refurbished or adapted during the mid-20th century when asbestos was used extensively as an insulation and fireproofing material.

Asbestos Sampling & Testing Oldham

For example, if you have a material you suspect may contain asbestos but are not certain, we can take a bulk sample and have it analysed at a UKAS-accredited laboratory. Typically, results are ready within 3 working days of sample collection. We offer two samples for £175, and the price we quote is the price you pay — making this a cost-effective first step before committing to a full survey or remediation programme.

Why Oldham Properties Carry a Higher Asbestos Risk

Anyone arranging an asbestos survey in Oldham should understand why local buildings carry extra risk. Overall, Oldham was at its peak one of the most productive cotton spinning towns in the world, with more cotton spindles than any other town in the global textile industry at the height of the Industrial Revolution. This extraordinary industrial heritage left a dense cluster of Victorian cotton mills, engineering works and workers’ terraces. As a result, many of these buildings were refurbished or adapted during the mid-20th century when asbestos was used extensively as an insulation and fireproofing material, so asbestos-containing materials are still commonly found across Oldham today.

Specifically, common locations where these materials are still found in Oldham properties include:

• Roof sheets and guttering on older industrial, mill and commercial buildings (asbestos cement)
• Pipe and boiler lagging in older commercial and residential properties
• Floor tiles in pre-1980 offices, schools and public buildings
• Ceiling tiles and partition boards in buildings from the 1960s and 1970s
• Artex and textured coatings on ceilings and walls in domestic properties
• Soffit boards, window surrounds and external cladding panels
• Asbestos insulation and boarding in former cotton spinning mills — Oldham had more spinning capacity than any other town in the world at its peak
• Rope seals and gaskets in older heating systems

Oldham Postcodes We Cover

We provide an asbestos survey in Oldham across all of the districts below.

Asbestos Surveys Oldham — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an asbestos survey before refurbishing an Oldham property?

Yes. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, a refurbishment and demolition survey is required before any work that disturbs the fabric of a building constructed before the year 2000. In addition, this applies to domestic, commercial and industrial properties across Oldham and the OL1 to OL4 postcode area. As a result, starting work without a survey is not only illegal but puts workers and occupants at serious risk.

Do I need an asbestos management survey for my Oldham business?

Specifically, if you own, manage or have responsibility for a non-domestic building in Oldham — such as an office, shop, school or community hall — you have a legal duty to manage asbestos under CAR 2012, which means knowing what asbestos-containing materials are present. As a result, an asbestos management survey identifies these materials and produces the written register and management plan you need to demonstrate compliance.

What qualifications do your surveyors hold?

Our surveyors hold BOHS P402 (Buildings Surveys and Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Materials) and BOHS P405 (Management of Asbestos in Buildings). Furthermore, all surveys are carried out in accordance with HSG264: Asbestos — The Survey Guide. In addition, our principal surveyor has been working in the asbestos industry since the early 1990s.

How quickly can you carry out a survey in Oldham?

Generally, we can usually arrange surveys within a few days of enquiry. For urgent situations, a 24 to 48-hour service is available — so give us a call and we will do our best to fit around your timescale.

Do you survey residential properties as well as commercial ones?

Yes. Specifically, we survey all property types including houses, flats, bungalows, commercial offices, retail units, industrial buildings, schools, churches and community buildings. In short, no job is too small.

What happens after the survey?

You receive a full written report — typically within 5 working days of the site visit — identifying the location, type, condition and risk rating of any asbestos-containing materials found. Afterwards, we will talk you through the findings and advise on next steps.

Is there asbestos in my Oldham home?

If your home was built or refurbished before the year 2000, there is a real possibility that asbestos-containing materials are present. In fact, Greater Manchester has a large stock of Victorian, Edwardian and post-war housing. For example, artex ceilings, floor tiles, textured coatings, roof soffits and older boiler cupboards are all common locations. Therefore, the only way to know for certain is to have a survey or sampling carried out.