Site Investigation

An asbestos survey is a type of survey used to investigate if any asbestos is present in your building or properties. As per the control of asbestos regulations 2012, it’s now a legal requirement for property developers and duty holders to conduct asbestos inspections regularly. The regulations specify the asbestos survey type to use during inspections and reporting formats for capturing the survey results.

A significant factor that drove the UK government to ban asbestos in 1999 was the numerous fatalities reported due to asbestos exposure. In 2019, there were more than 2,500 deaths in the UK due to complications caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres.

An asbestos survey is undertaken to identify Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) within existing buildings. Asbestos is a dangerous material that, if inhaled, can cause health issues such as lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural diseases.

Asbestos exposure has resulted in thousands of deaths. In 2019 alone, there were 2,369 UK deaths caused by inhalation of asbestos fibre. Yet, despite the dangers asbestos poses, it has been used for more than 150 years in the construction industry.

The key to any successful development is site investigation: doing the necessary due diligence that gives you all the information you need to progress smoothly, within your budget and without any nasty surprises.

Site investigation should start with a topographical survey, which produces an accurate, detailed map of your site. In this article, we set out the steps you would usually have to take to complete a topographical survey.

Topographical Surveys are essential on all development projects to get a lay of the land. Learn what it is and when it is required.

Before you start development on a site, you will need an Archaeological Survey. Determining the nature, extent and significance of the historic environment in an area, the survey identifies any archaeological or heritage assets on your site.

Before you start development on a site, you will need an Archaeological Survey. Determining the nature, extent and significance of the historic environment in an area, the survey identifies any archaeological or heritage assets on your site.

An Archaeological Survey determines the nature, extent and significance of the historic environment within a specified area. In other words, the survey identifies any historically significant features that need to be protected, and whose presence could have a substantial impact on your site development.