Asbestos Management Solutions
Copley Academy is a post-war system-built secondary school that required varying degrees of regulatory compliance upgrade works – such as smoke and fire alarms and firebreak installations, and a replacement curtain wall.
In October 2020, our experienced team carried out a comprehensive refurbishment survey – so the school could proceed with the proposed refurbishment.
This case study discusses the project complexities and how we navigated them.
As a public sector building, it is paramount that Copley Academy adheres to the latest regulatory compliance in fire and general life safety. Therefore, the school board needed to tackle asbestos compliance work – and therefore commissioned Westlands, via a chartered surveyor, to undergo a demolition survey.
The brief was to complete a refurbishment & demolition asbestos survey across the whole site (two storey secondary) 1960s building.
As far as reasonably practical, we had to find all the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the area. This included identifying asbestos installations such as firebreaks and associated debris.
As necessary, we gained access to all areas. This included those areas that were difficult to reach, such as the existing suspended ceiling voids.
The project was complex in nature and a large building to survey.
To fit around an occupied site, we had to work flexibly.
There was vast material in the voids that could have been confused with asbestos. Therefore, we had to undertake more sampling and inspection than usual. This meant we could accurately highlight on plans where asbestos material was present – a critical part of the asbestos removal tender.
A lot of 1960s buildings have asbestos boarding firebreaks in situ. Because the client is upgrading them, they have to identify where they are (behind fibreglass). Less experienced surveyors could miss this.
CLASP schools typically use a steel-framed structure that contains asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos is often hidden away within the steel work – which makes it very difficult to survey.
We continue to consult with the appointed principal contractor.
After we completed the survey, the client had confirmed the safe removal of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) so the client could plan their refurbishment work.
When refurbishing older buildings, you must ensure asbestos identification and removal is carried out in accordance with ‘Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012’.
Westland Environmental Safety has worked with various public-sector clients to ensure the comprehensive identification of asbestos risks – so that contractors can be appointed to follow a clear asbestos removal specification.
Not only do we ensure all asbestos removal is strictly conducted in accordance with CAR 2012 and supported HSE guidance documents, but we ensure that we complete projects within our clients’ timescales and other demands.
For more information on our asbestos consultancy and management services, contact us on: info@westlandes.co.uk or call us 01782 624642 to discuss your specific requirements in more detail.