Our property services include:-

• Asbestos Surveys and Inspections
• Asbestos Management Plans
• Asbestos Management Software
• Auditing of Asbestos Removal Projects
• Risk Assessment
• Fire Risk Assessment
• Legionella Risk Assessment
• CAD Draughting Services

Asbestos Surveys and Inspections

Although the use of asbestos containing materials in buildings has been subject to progressively more stringent controls leading to an effective ban on its use in 1999, there are still many thousands of premises where asbestos is present.

Where an initial appraisal indicates asbestos may be present within buildings, Amencon can perform asbestos surveys and inspections.

From our extensive experience in the specialist area of asbestos surveying gained over more than 20 years, we have developed methodologies in accordance with HSG264: Asbestos: The Survey Guide to gather detailed information about the risk that asbestos presents in different types of buildings and premises.

Amencon were one of the first organisations to be accredited in accordance with ISO 17020 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as an inspection body for this work.  The HSE strongly recommends the use of an UKAS accredited inspection body for asbestos surveys as it is the only means of assuring competence.

If asbestos materials are found, we prioritise the risk and recommend any remedial actions necessary.  By using a carefully designed survey structure, reliable data will be gathered that is suitable for the development of an asbestos management plan and action programme.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

Asbestos Surveys

There are two different reasons for carrying out an asbestos survey:

1. A survey which is undertaken to address the risks from asbestos associated with the continued use of the building (i.e. normal occupancy and activities and associated maintenance and development).
• These management surveys are performed to ensure that no one is harmed by the continued presence of asbestos in premises (i.e. ACMs remain in good condition and that no-one inadvertently disturbs ACMs during maintenance and other work).
• The purpose of this type of survey is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building. 
• This type of survey is known as a HSG264 Management survey.
2. There are also circumstances where a far more intrusive survey is necessary to establish the full extent and complete presence of asbestos.
   • This type of survey is necessary prior to any demolition or refurbishment work being carried out.
   • These demolition/refurbishment surveys will be quite different and much more intrusive and destructive compared with management surveys as their intention is to locate all the ACMs so that they can be removed before the demolition or refurbishment takes place.
   • This type of survey is known as a HSG264 Refurbishment and Demolition survey.
     

All buildings normally require a management survey as part of the on-going arrangements to manage asbestos. However, refurbishment/demolition surveys will only be required as necessary when the needs or use of the building changes.

Amencon employs highly trained and experienced specialists who are fully accredited by UKAS to carry out Management surverys and Refurbishment and Demolition surveys.

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Asbestos Survey types

The requirements for asbestos surveys are given in the Health and Safety Executive Guidance Note HSG264: Asbestos: The Survey Guide.

Asbestos survey types are defined in HSG264: Asbestos: The Survey Guide as follows:

Management Survey

• Involves a visual inspection of accessible areas and collection of representative samples for analysis for the presence of asbestos.
• Samples from each type of suspect asbestos-containing material (ACM) are collected and, if the material sampled is found to contain asbestos, other similar homogeneous materials used in the same way in the building, can be strongly presumed to contain asbestos.
• Other less homogeneous materials and some materials which are non-asbestos will need to be sampled more frequently to confirm whether asbestos is present or not.
• Areas that are not accessed and inspected are assumed to contain asbestos.
• Any materials, which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos, must be presumed to contain asbestos and where it appears highly likely to contain asbestos, there should be a strong presumption that it does.

Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

• This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as is reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the building and may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. 
• A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible ACMs and estimates of the volume and surface area of ACMs are made.

Amencon employs highly trained and experienced specialists who are fully accredited by UKAS to carry out Management surveys and Refurbishment and Demolition surveys.

Asbestos Management

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 includes a duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises.

Amencon is an independent specialist consultancy providing asbestos management services for industrial, commercial and residential premises throughout the UK.

We offer a complete asbestos management service from asbestos surveys through to asbestos management plans, testing, asbestos remediation and asbestos awareness training. We also offer asbestos project management services and asbestos management software.

Amencon specialises in helping property owners, facilities managers and employers to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations and is accredited by UKAS to carry out asbestos surveys.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Duty to Manage Asbestos

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force on 13th November 2006 and include a requirement (Regulation 4) on the dutyholder to make an assessment as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in non-domestic premises occupied by him and in which persons work.

Regulation 4 places an explicit duty on people in control of premises which requires them to:

• take reasonable steps to locate materials likely to contain asbestos and check their condition;
• presume that materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to suppose that they do not;
• make a written record of the location and condition of asbestos and presumed asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and keep the record up to date;
• assess the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to these materials;
• prepare a plan to manage the risk and put it into effect to ensure that:
• any material known or presumed to contain asbestos is kept in a good state of repair;
• any material that contains or is presumed to contain asbestos is, because of the risks associated with its location or condition, repaired or if necessary removed;
• information on the location and condition of the material is given to anyone potentially at risk

Asbestos Management Plans

An asbestos survey provides only partial compliance with the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises contained in The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The development of an asbestos management plan is an essential stage in the control of asbestos risks.

Amencon has extensive experience in drawing up asbestos management plans for all types of industrial, commercial and residential premises throughout the UK.
The asbestos management plan should typically include:

• Details of location and condition of asbestos materials
• Risk assessments
• Action Plan and timetable
• Monitoring and review arrangements
• Employees and their responsibilities
• Training arrangements for employees and contractors
• Mechanisms for passing of information to relevant personnel
• Duties of the designated asbestos controller
• Procedures in the event of an emergency.

Amencon specialises in helping property owners, facilities managers and employers to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations and is accredited by UKAS to carry out asbestos surveys.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Asbestos Management Software

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 includes a duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises.

The first stage of the management process is generally to carry out an asbestos survey to determine the location, extent and condition of asbestos containing materials.  A risk assessment of all asbestos containing materials will also be required and the information must be kept up to date and readily accessible.

For all but the simplest of surveys, a computer database will enable the records to be kept up to date and readily accessible.  To assist clients to fulfil their legal duty to manage asbestos, Amencon can provide specialist asbestos management database software.

For the asbestos manager, such a database includes many facilities to assist with the management process including:

• Authorised personnel are able to easily access asbestos records
• Risk assessments are automatically calculated for all ACMs
• The ‘Locations Due’ facility ensures that mangers can see at a glance if any re-inspections are due
• Archive facility makes it easy to track the progress of an ACM over time
• Photographs, drawings and test reports can be stored in the database
• Reports can be produced from the database

Amencon specialises in helping property owners, facilities managers and employers to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations and is accredited by UKAS to carry out asbestos surveys.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

Asbestos Awareness Training

Among the changes contained in The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 was the inclusion in Regulation 10 of a requirement for specified personnel to receive asbestos awareness training. 

• Asbestos awareness training is required to be given to employees whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos and, in particular, all those involved in demolition and in the refurbishment, maintenance and allied building trades (HSE ACOP L143 para. 126).

• This includes persons who are liable to disturb asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work such as maintenance staff or those who may influence how work is carried out such as facilities managers.

Amencon offers a range of training courses suitable for all personnel that may come into contact with asbestos during the course of their work or have responsibility for the management of premises or maintenance activities.

• The Asbestos Regulations also require that appropriate refresher asbestos training should be carried out at least every year.

• Employers and dutyholders may also have a duty to ensure that visiting contractors are properly trained.

Amencon specialises in helping property owners, facilities managers and employers to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations and is accredited by UKAS to carry out asbestos surveys.

Amencon is registered as an HSE Partner in the Asbestos Risk Management Campaign and can offer a training package in the form of a modular presentation developed and supported by the HSE, which is aimed at people who have a role to play in the management of asbestos-containing materials in premises.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.
Details of training sessions can be found here.

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Auditing of Asbestos Removal Projects

Asbestos removal and/or remediation projects are potentially high risk activities and all companies engaged to carry out such work should be assessed for competency.

Holding a licence granted by the HSE is, unfortunately, not necessarily a guarantee of high quality performance.

Choosing contractors for work with any asbestos-containing material should follow the same principles as choosing contractors generally. A thorough check should be made on their competence before an order/contract is placed with them including:

• Possession of HSE licence (legally required for some asbestos work);
• Supply of suitable references;
• Relevant experience;
• Training system;
• Insurance;
• Financial stability;
• Health and safety system including risk assessments and method statements.

Amencon offer a tender vetting service for all asbestos remediation projects where tender documents are reviewed with the client prior to the contract being let.

After contractor selection, a pre-start of work meeting should be held between the contractor, Amencon and the client to discuss and agree all aspects of asbestos project management and associated supervision and monitoring.

During the contract, Amencon will audit the contractor’s performance against the specification and plan of work; check on-site documentation and waste disposal arrangements.

Amencon is completely independent of any contractor or other organisation and will act to safeguard the interests of the client at all times.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionnaires Disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody, but which principally affects those who are susceptible because of age, illness, immunosuppression, smoking etc.

It is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria that can be found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, usually in low numbers. As they are commonly found in environmental sources they may also be found in purpose built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas.

Although cooling towers are readily associated by most people with outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease, the majority of infections by Legionella are however sourced from domestic hot and cold water systems. Furthermore, systems as diverse as humidified food chiller cabinets, water features and spa baths have been shown to be the source of past outbreaks.

Control measures are required and the Approved Code of Practice (L8) sets out a framework as follows:

• Appoint a Responsible Manager;
• Identify and Assess Sources of Risk;
• Prepare a Scheme for Preventing or Controlling the Risk;
• Implement and Manage the Precautions;
• Keep Records of the Precautions.

In all cases, site specific risk assessment is the starting point for identifying systems presenting a risk from Legionella and determines the control measures required.

Amencon can assist employers in carrying out Legionella risk assessments through the services of a team of experienced consultants and in carrying out an inspection and audit of an organisation’s existing arrangements.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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CAD Draughting Services

Floor plans and other drawings produced using CAD software provide a clear and readily accessible record of the layout and location of materials, equipment and facilities in premises.
Amencon are pleased to be able to offer the following CAD draughting services: -

Asbestos Surveys

Our fully trained and competent staff can produce drawings to identify areas that have, or are likely to contain Asbestos Containing Materials. These drawings may be incorporated in an asbestos survey report, asbestos management plan or asbestos management software.

Fire Risk Assessment

We can prepare fire record drawings of the premises as part of a fire risk assessment report.

Mechanical and Electrical

• Detailing of single components from a sample, sketch or paper drawing
• Detailing assemblies from sample, sketch or paper drawing
• Schematic layouts from clients’ sketches
• Preparation of ‘as installed/as built’ drawings.

Building and Construction

• Making revisions to clients working CAD drawings
• Preparing construction details for projects
• Producing CAD drawings from clients’ paper prints
• Preparation of plans, elevations and sections to customer requirements

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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