Asbestos Management Commercial Survey – Chelmsford, Essex

Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (CAR 2012 Compliance)
Survey Date: 1/12/2025

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Project Overview

We were appointed to complete an asbestos management survey at a multi-storey retail property situated on a busy high street in Chelmsford, Essex. The ground floor operates as a gaming and entertainment store, while the upper floors provide ancillary storage and staff areas. The aim of the survey was to update the asbestos register and ensure full compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations, particularly ahead of planned interior redecoration and shopfitting works.

This building combines traditional brick construction with more modern retail frontage elements, requiring a careful and methodical approach to assessment.

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Survey Methodology

A qualified surveyor conducted a detailed management-level asbestos inspection throughout the premises, including:

• Retail floor area and perimeter walls

• Staff store rooms and office areas on the upper floor

• Rear service corridor and stairwells

• Shopfront fittings, bulkheads, and display areas

• External façades and signage fixings

All sampling was undertaken following HSG264 guidance, with laboratory analysis completed by a UKAS-accredited testing facility.

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Key Findings

The survey identified several asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) consistent with buildings of this age and use:

• Bulkhead Soffits: Asbestos insulating board (AIB) was identified behind a section of the front display bulkhead above the main shop entrance.

• Flooring Adhesive: Bituminous adhesive residues beneath historic vinyl tiles in the staff storage room contained chrysotile asbestos.

• Textured Coatings: A small amount of textured coating containing asbestos fibres was found on the ceiling of an upper-floor office.

• Electrical Panel Backboards: The backing board behind the original electrical distribution panel contained asbestos material typical of older installations.

• External Shopfront Fixings: Asbestos cement packing pieces were present behind part of the metal signage mounting framework.

No asbestos was detected in the shop’s suspended ceiling tiles, wall plaster, or timber skirting boards.

A full asbestos register and photographic material assessment have been provided to the duty holder.

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Recommendations

To ensure safe and compliant ongoing occupation and maintenance, we advised:

• In-Place Management: All identified ACMs can remain undisturbed and safely managed under the site’s asbestos management plan.

• Contractor Awareness: Shopfitting or electrical contractors must review the asbestos register prior to starting work.

• Encapsulation: AIB bulkhead sections should be encapsulated where practical to prevent accidental disturbance during daily operations.

• Routine Monitoring: An annual re-inspection should be scheduled to confirm the condition of ACMs.

• Licensed Removal: If future refurbishment includes alterations to the shopfront or electrical intake area, removal must be carried out by licensed asbestos contractors.

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Outcome

The completed survey provides the business with a robust, up-to-date asbestos register and a clear set of management actions. With all ACMs identified, risk-rated, and documented, the property can now be safely maintained and any planned refurbishments can proceed with confidence, ensuring full compliance with HSE asbestos management requirements.