Asbestos Commercial Management Survey | Benfleet

Location: Benfleet, Essex
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (Compliance with CAR 2012)
Survey Date: 07/08/2025

We were recently commissioned to carry out a Commercial Asbestos Management Survey at a mixed-use commercial property in the heart of Benfleet, Essex. The premises included a ground-floor automotive parts and accessories shop, with offices and residential flats above. Our client needed to ensure the building complied with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, while safeguarding staff, tenants, and customers.

Project Overview:

The property consisted of a brick-built structure typical of mid-to-late 20th century construction, featuring large shopfront windows at street level, and rendered sections around the upper floors. With multiple occupants and varying uses for different parts of the building, a thorough asbestos management survey was essential to establish an accurate asbestos register and implement safe maintenance procedures going forward.

Survey Methodology:

Our qualified asbestos surveyors followed the HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide, covering:

• The retail area, stock rooms, and storage facilities.
• Common access stairwells and corridors serving the upstairs flats.
• External features including soffits, rainwater goods, and service entry points.
• Roof voids and plant areas where accessible.

The survey included:

• Visual inspections to identify suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
• Bulk sampling for laboratory analysis via a UKAS-accredited testing facility.
• Material and priority risk assessments for each confirmed ACM.
• Detailed photographic evidence and a site plan marking ACM locations.

Key Findings:

The survey revealed several low- to medium-risk ACMs, including:

• Cement-based sheeting fixed to an external rear wall, likely original to the building’s construction.
• Decorative textured finishon part of the ceiling in the ground-floor storeroom.
• Resilient floor tiles in an upstairs ancillary room.

All materials were stable and well-maintained, meaning they present no immediate hazard provided they remain intact and undisturbed.

Conclusion & Recommendations:

Following the survey, we provided the property owner with a comprehensive asbestos register and management plan, ensuring compliance and safe ongoing use of the building. Our recommendations included:

1. Clear labelling of identified ACMs.
2. Annual re-inspections to monitor the condition of all asbestos materials.
3. Ensuring all contractors working on-site review the asbestos register before commencing any work.
4. Commissioning a Refurbishment/Demolition Survey if any major works are planned in affected areas.

With this survey complete, the business can continue serving its customers while the upstairs tenants enjoy peace of mind, knowing the building’s asbestos risks are under control.