Asbestos Management Commercial Survey – Grays, Essex

Location: Grays, Essex
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (CAR 2012 Compliance)
Survey Date: 7/12/2025

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Project Overview

We were instructed to conduct an asbestos management survey at a mixed-use commercial property in Grays, Essex. The building comprises a ground-floor retail/workshop unit operated by a home improvement company, with residential accommodation occupying the upper floor.

The survey was commissioned to update the asbestos register for the commercial portion of the premises and ensure all maintenance and refurbishment works can proceed safely and in full compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

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Survey Methodology

A qualified surveyor completed a full management survey in accordance with HSG264, inspecting all accessible areas of the commercial unit, including:

• Front showroom and customer area

• Rear workshop

• Staff kitchen and WC

• Electrical intake cupboard

• Under-stair storage

• External elevations, soffits, and signage mounting points

Any suspect materials were sampled and sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.

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Key Findings

The survey identified several asbestos-containing materials typically found in older commercial premises:

• Textured Coating: Asbestos was identified within textured ceiling finishes in a small section at the rear of the showroom.

• Flooring Adhesive: Bitumen adhesive beneath older vinyl tiles in the staff WC tested positive for chrysotile asbestos.

• Electrical Backing Panel: The original electrical fuse board retained an asbestos insulating backing board.

• Workshop Service Void: Asbestos cement fragments were identified around a redundant pipe penetration in the workshop.

• Signage Packing Material: Asbestos cement packing was found behind part of the external fascia signage where older fixings remained in place.

No asbestos was detected in the plaster walls, window reveals, modern floor coverings, or the blue cladding installed as part of later refurbishments.

A full photographic asbestos register and material-risk assessment has been included in the final report.

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Recommendations

• Management in Place: All identified ACMs are stable and can remain undisturbed under a managed approach.

• Contractor Notification: Any tradespeople carrying out electrical, flooring, or signage work should consult the asbestos register before commencing.

• Condition Monitoring: The ACMs should be reinspected annually or sooner if deterioration is suspected.

• Low-Disturbance Maintenance Only: Works in the WC, workshop, or service areas must avoid impact to ACMs unless appropriate controls are in place.

• Potential Removal: If the client decides to replace the external signage or refurbish the WC, affected ACMs should be removed by licensed contractors.

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Outcome

The completed survey has provided the business with an accurate and compliant asbestos register, giving clear guidance for safe ongoing maintenance. All asbestos-containing materials have been identified, documented, and risk-rated, ensuring the property can be managed in full accordance with HSE regulations.