Asbestos Survey Case Studies

Asbestos Found – Commercial Warehouse Survey

Commercial Warehouse – Management Asbestos Survey

Location: Commercial Site – Stoke-on-Trent
Survey Type: Management Asbestos Survey
Conducted by: Pinnacle Asbestos Solutions

Pinnacle Asbestos Solutions recently carried out a comprehensive management asbestos survey at a commercial warehouse facility in Stoke-on-Trent. The purpose of this survey was to identify, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within the premises.

During the inspection, several materials confirmed or presumed to contain asbestos were identified, pending analysis by a UKAS-accredited laboratory. These included:

• Cement guttering and corrugated roof sheets (over-clad)
  
  

• Asbestos insulating board (AIB) packers – including one badly damaged and unsealed piece with loose debris observed being swept aside by a member of staff
  
  

• Mastic sealants
  
  

• Damp-proof course
  
  

• Other structural components and building materials
  
  

The damaged and disturbed AIB posed an immediate health and safety concern due to the potential release of asbestos fibres. The incident also highlighted the importance of staff awareness and training in asbestos safety.

This case underscores why asbestos management surveys are essential for owners and operators of older commercial and industrial properties. Proactive inspection helps ensure compliance with Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and safeguards the health of staff, contractors, and visitors.

If you manage a warehouse, office, or industrial site, a thorough asbestos survey is not just best practice – it is a legal requirement and a crucial part of responsible property management.

Asbestos Found – Educational Sector Survey

Primary School Basement Boiler Room – Refurbishment & Demolition Asbestos Survey

Location: Educational - Primary School Site – Sheffield
Survey Type: Refurbuishment Asbestos Survey
Conducted by: Pinnacle Asbestos Solutions

Overview

Pinnacle Asbestos Solutions were appointed to undertake a full Refurbishment & Demolition Asbestos Survey within a basement boiler room ahead of planned plant and pipework upgrades. The objective was to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during the proposed works and to ensure full compliance with CAR 2012 Regulation 5 and HSG264.

Findings

Thermal Insulation

Pipework and vessel insulation throughout the area were over-painted and foil-wrapped. Localised damage and debris were evident, particularly around bends, joints, and floor levels. Representative samples were taken to determine asbestos content.

Wall Finishes

Several areas of painted render and skim plaster were noted with surface damage exposing thermal insulation residues beneath. These materials were suspected to contain asbestos thermal insulation from historic applications.

Gaskets and Flange Materials

Multiple plant flanges and valve joints displayed aged gaskets and jointing materials consistent with older asbestos composites. These were recorded, photographed, and sampled for laboratory confirmation.

Red Counterweight Assembly

A suspended red mechanical counterweight was identified above pipework. Associated dust and debris were present on the surrounding insulation surfaces.

Debris and Residues

Loose debris was recorded beneath pipe runs and along wall/floor junctions. This was likely to have originated from historical insulation disturbance or deterioration.

Access & Limitations

• Restricted headroom and congested service layout limited access to certain pipe runs.

• Live operational systems prevented full disturbance of thermal insulation.

• Ceiling voids and concealed pipe routes remained unsampled pending isolation.

Outcome

All suspect materials were sampled and sent for UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis. The findings enabled the client to plan asbestos removal and refurbishment works safely, minimising downtime and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Client Benefit

✅ Comprehensive identification of ACMs within high-risk areas
✅ Clear photographic records and material mapping
✅ Reduced risk of accidental fibre release during works
✅ Fully compliant with HSG264 and CAR 2012

Asbestos Found - Commercial Hotel Boiler Rooms

Hotel Basement Boiler Rooms – Refurbishment & Demolition Asbestos Survey

Location: Commercial Hotel – York
Survey Type: Refurbuishment Asbestos Survey
Conducted by: Pinnacle Asbestos Solutions

Overview

Pinnacle Asbestos Solutions were instructed to complete a detailed Refurbishment & Demolition Asbestos Survey across four interconnected basement and boiler room areas within a large operational hotel.

The purpose of the survey was to identify all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during upcoming mechanical, electrical, and structural upgrade works.
The basements contained a complex network of redundant pipework, plant, and historically applied insulation systems typical of older commercial buildings.

Survey Findings

Thermal Insulation

• Extensive lengths of original thermal lagging were identified to pipework and associated plant.

• The insulation displayed multiple finishes including painted, hessian-wrapped and foil-backed coverings, with localised areas of exposed or deteriorated insulation.

• Sample analysis confirmed asbestos within certain sections of the lagging and associated debris.

Thermal Packing and Collars

• Pipe joints, bends, and wall penetrations were found to contain thermal packing materials, often coated with paint or over-sealed with plaster.

• These materials were consistent with historical amosite-based composites, typically used for heat resistance.

Thermal Residues and Debris

• Fibrous residues were noted on wall and ceiling surfaces, particularly surrounding old service routes and redundant pipe brackets.

• Several areas displayed encapsulated thermal residues embedded within paint layers, indicating historic removal or partial encapsulation.

Wall and Background Coatings

• The walls and soffits throughout the basements had been overpainted multiple times, concealing older surface treatments.

• Some coatings exhibited friable embedded fibres and historic encapsulation of lagging debris.

Plant and Mechanical Components

• Various flanged joints, valves, and gaskets were observed with deteriorated jointing materials consistent with asbestos-containing composites.

• Thermal insulation residues were also identified adhering to rusted pipe brackets and structural fixings.

• Several pipe hangers and flanges displayed painted encapsulation where ACMs were historically present.

Access & Limitations

• Restricted headroom and congested service runs limited physical access around certain pipework.

• Live operational plant and active systems could not be disturbed or isolated during inspection.

• Confined entry points between the four basement rooms restricted full access behind plant and ductwork in places.

Outcome

All suspect materials were sampled and submitted for UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis.
Results confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing insulation, packing, and debris residues across multiple locations.

A detailed survey report and material risk assessment were provided to the client, allowing safe planning of licensed removal and refurbishment works in accordance with CAR 2012 Regulation 5 and HSG264 Surveying and Sampling Strategies.

Client Benefit

✅ Full identification of asbestos materials across all four basement zones
✅ Accurate photographic evidence and sample mapping for contractor coordination
✅ Reduced risk of accidental fibre release during refurbishment
✅ Full regulatory compliance with CAR 2012 and HSG264