Don't overlook the need for a refurbishment & demolition survey

According to Patrick Morton, chief executive of Lucion, those responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of both residential and commercial buildings should not overlook the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) requirement that a refurbishment and demolition survey is carried out ahead of any works to upgrade or fit new fire protection systems.

The survey is designed to locate and identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present in the building before any structural work begins and to ensure that nobody involved in the refurbishment will be put at risk by any damage to such materials.

With local authorities now planning the fast track replacement and refurbishment of cladding and insulation materials, as well as the installation of sprinkler systems, Morton warns that a refurbishment and demolition survey is therefore essential to ensure that the works are carried out safely by contractors and in the correct way.

“It is understandable and very welcome that local authorities are responding so quickly to this tragic incident," said Morton. "However, care needs to be taken that in the rush to eliminate one serious safety risk in a building, workers involved in any refurbishment works are not put at risk from a different source.

“Unless it is known there is no asbestos present in a building, a survey is an essential requirement before any building refurbishment work is undertaken.”