Asbestos Commercial Management Survey | Stratford, East London

Location: Stratford, East London
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (Compliance with CAR 2012)
Survey Date: 14/07/2025

Objective:

A comprehensive asbestos management survey was performed at a commercial property in Stratford, East London, to assist the duty holder in fulfilling their legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The primary goal was to identify and assess the risk posed by any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present within the building’s common areas and representative office units.

Scope of Work:

Our surveyor undertook a methodical and systematic inspection of the premises. This process involved a visual examination of accessible building materials and components. Where necessary to confirm the presence of asbestos, representative bulk samples were carefully collected from suspect materials for analysis at a UKAS-accredited laboratory. The survey was planned to minimise disruption to the building’s occupants while ensuring a thorough assessment was completed.

Key Findings:

The investigation identified several types of asbestos-containing materials located throughout the property:

• Fire Door Seals: The rope seals within the grooves of several original fire doors in the main corridors were confirmed to contain asbestos.
• Asbestos Cement Flue Pipe: An asbestos cement flue pipe connected to an older boiler system was identified running through a service riser on the ground floor.
• Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB): Panels of AIB were found installed as packing material behind the radiators in several office suites.
• Toilet Cisterns: The toilet cisterns within the washrooms on the first floor were identified as containing asbestos fibres within the composite material.

Conclusion & Recommendations:

The presence of multiple ACMs requires the implementation of a formal management strategy to prevent asbestos exposure. The following actions are essential for compliance and safety:

1. Establish a Central Asbestos Register: The asbestos register must be held centrally and be the first point of reference for all maintenance and contractor work. A system must be put in place to ensure all contractors review the register before commencing work.
2. Prioritise Management of Friable Materials: The AIB behind radiators and the rope seals on fire doors can be easily damaged. These should be clearly labelled and a strict permit-to-work system be implemented for any tasks in these areas.
3. Decommission Redundant ACMs: The asbestos cement flue pipe, if part of a redundant system, should be scheduled for safe and removal by a competent contractor to eliminate ongoing risk.
4. Ongoing Monitoring and Review: A schedule for the regular re-inspection of all identified ACMs must be established. The condition of the materials should be checked at least annually, and the management plan updated accordingly.

Effectively communication with tenants and a clear protocol for managing contractors are paramount to ensuring these materials do not pose a risk to those working in or visiting the building.