Asbestos Management Commercial Survey – Rainham, Essex

Location: Rainham, Essex
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (CAR 2012 Compliance)
Survey Date: 21/11/2025

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Project Summary

We were instructed to undertake an asbestos management survey at a two-storey commercial/industrial unit in Rainham, Essex. The building forms part of a larger business estate and includes ground-floor warehouse space with first-floor office accommodation. The client requested an updated asbestos register to support ongoing maintenance and to ensure the premises remain compliant with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

The building’s mixed construction—brick lower levels combined with steel cladding and a profiled roof—required a thorough inspection across both working and administrative areas.

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Survey Method

A qualified asbestos surveyor carried out a full management survey in accordance with HSG264, inspecting all accessible areas including:

• Warehouse floor and racking zones

• Internal blockwork partitions

• First-floor offices and kitchenette

• Electrical intake room and service cupboards

• External elevations, soffits, and roofline features

All suspect materials were sampled and analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory to ensure accurate identification.

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Key Findings

The survey identified several asbestos-containing materials typical of industrial buildings constructed during this era:

• Roofing Materials: The warehouse roof contained asbestos cement sheeting on the original sections of the structure. These sheets were weathered but stable.

• Electrical Intake Room: The backing boards behind legacy electrical equipment were confirmed as containing asbestos insulating board (AIB).

• Sink Backing Pads: Bitumen-based asbestos pads were identified beneath the kitchenette stainless-steel sink unit.

• Door Panels: An internal fire door on the warehouse side contained an asbestos insulation core, commonly used in mid-range industrial units.

• Sealant Residue: Asbestos-containing sealant was identified around a ventilation duct penetration in the office ceiling void.

No asbestos was found in the brickwork, office ceiling tiles, internal plaster finishes, or floor coverings.

A complete asbestos register with photographs, sample results, and risk assessments has been provided as part of the final report.

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Recommendations

To maintain compliance and ensure safe ongoing occupation of the building, we advised:

• Management in Situ: All identified ACMs can remain in place under controlled conditions.

• Labelling & Signage: The AIB backing board and fire door should be clearly labelled as part of the site asbestos management plan.

• Planned Maintenance Controls: Any electrical upgrades or roof repairs must be carried out with full awareness of the asbestos register and correct safety procedures.

• Annual Reinspection: All ACMs should be reinspected every 12 months, or sooner if refurbishment works begin.

• Licensed Removal: Should the client undertake office refurbishment or electrical modernisation, removal of ACMs must be completed by licensed asbestos contractors.

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Outcome

The completed survey has provided the business with a clear and compliant asbestos register, enabling safe maintenance and ensuring staff, contractors, and visitors remain protected.

With all ACMs now identified and risk-rated, the duty holder can confidently plan future upgrades while remaining fully compliant with HSE guidance.