​Sprayed applications/coatings (flock asbestos)

Surfaces finished with sprayed applications/coatings containing asbestos must if they are:

1. In good condition (in a state where respirable asbestos fibres are not being released) - be sealed by a licensed contractor.
   
   
2. Slightly damaged and not readily accessible - be removed or repaired and sealed by a licensed contractor.
   
   
3. Damaged, could be damaged, or are inadequately sealed and it is not reasonably practicable to reseal or enclose - be removed to a site licensed for the disposal of asbestos materials in accordance with any relevant legislation and approved codes of practice by a licensed contractor .
   
   
4. Present - their location must be entered in the Asbestos Register and the location should be labelled in an appropriate manner.
   
   
5. Present – be inspected at regular intervals to ensure that the condition of the material and its sealing has not changed.

Insulation and lagging

Where asbestos-containing insulation materials in existing installations are found to be:

1. damaged or inadequately sealed and it is not reasonably practical to reseal or encapsulate it; or
2. a risk assessment carried out by a competent person indicates is present and in a hazardous state

then this material shall be removed to a site licensed for the disposal of asbestos materials by a licensed asbestos removal contractor and replaced by a non-asbestos substitute and the Asbestos Register updated.

Any asbestos in good condition left in-situ shall be sealed and its location entered in the Site Asbestos Register. Warning notices shall be attached to the lagging and nearby in boiler houses, service ducts, and other plant and equipment rooms NOT usually accessible to the staff and others and it shall be re-inspected at regular intervals to ensure that the condition of the material has not changed.

All work with asbestos insulation and lagging must be carried out by a licensed contractor in accordance with any relevant legislation and approved codes of practice.

Insulating boards

1. Where existing installations contain asbestos insulating board, which is sound and undamaged, there is no evidence of dust release and they are not subject to abrasion or damage by impact they will be left undisturbed.
   
   
2. All surfaces should be sealed or enclosed and labelled and the location recorded in the Asbestos Register and inspected at regular intervals to ensure that the condition of the materials has not deteriorated.
   
   
3. Where existing materials are found to be loose, friable, damaged or deteriorating, the material should be removed to a site licensed for the disposal of asbestos materials by a licensed asbestos removal contractor in accordance with any relevant legislation and approved codes of practice and the Asbestos Register updated.

Asbestos cement

1. Products in good condition, not likely to be damaged or disturbed shall be left in position. All surfaces should be sealed or enclosed and labelled and the location recorded in the Asbestos Register, and inspected at regular intervals to ensure that the condition of the material has not deteriorated.
   
   
2. Products in good condition but liable to damage, or which are old and deteriorating, friable or loose and capable of releasing asbestos fibres, will either be removed by a licensed contractor to a site licensed for the disposal of asbestos materials and replaced with a non-asbestos substitute, or sealed, labelled and the location recorded in the Asbestos Register and inspected at regular intervals to ensure that the condition of the material has not deteriorated.

Equipment

Existing equipment containing asbestos:-

1. shall be labelled and recorded in the Asbestos Register and inspected at regular intervals to ensure that the condition of the material has not deteriorated;
2. requires no action if asbestos fibres cannot be released;
3. such as gaskets, fire blankets, mats etc. should be replaced with alternative materials;
4. such as impelled (fanned) air systems, duct linings, fume cupboards, etc. where the asbestos insulation can be damaged during installation, use, running or maintenance or weakened by age, shall be sealed or consideration given to substitution of the insulant and/or equipment.

If a risk of fibre release is deemed possible, a suitable assessment and test procedure should be instigated.

Derelict and abandoned premises

1. If the building is basically sound and can possibly be refurbished, it must be effectively secured against vandals etc. and any asbestos labelled. Entries must be made in the site Asbestos Register accordingly.
2. If the asbestos insulation is damaged or decayed, removal by a licensed asbestos removal contractor must be carried out before the building is sealed and the Asbestos Register updated.
3. If the building has no future life, asbestos must be removed by a licensed asbestos removal contractor before demolition and the Asbestos Register updated.
4. All materials removed must be taken to a site licensed for the disposal of asbestos materials.

Leased and rented property and property for purchase or disposal

1. Property acquired on Full Repairing Lease is to be treated as STFC owned property.
2. No new property may be occupied for or on behalf of the STFC until:
   1. the presence/or absence of asbestos materials can be confirmed by examination of validated records for the property for example asbestos refurbishment or demolition surveys or, if no such records exist, a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey and report completed;
   2. the presence of asbestos containing materials is confirmed, as defined by the completion of a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey;
   3. the effects of the existence of such materials on any building works required and potential problems in future occupancy and management of the property should be carefully considered before entering into an agreement to purchase or occupy the building. 
3. STFC owned property:
   1. Let on Full Repairing Lease -
      All work to be the responsibility of the tenant, who must be advised of any known or presumed asbestos materials, and their receipt formally acknowledged and recorded.
   2. Let on non-Full Repairing Lease -
      No unauthorised work to be carried out and the property treated as STFC operated property.
      
   3. Let on other types of Lease -
      To be treated as STFC owned property. 
   4. If the presence of asbestos is known or presumed it shall be brought to the attention of the tenants. 
      The presence and extent of asbestos-containing materials should wherever possible be determined by a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey as defined in Asbestos: The Survey Guide (PDF - link opens in a new window), HSG264, before entering into a leasing or purchasing arrangement.
4. Prospective purchasers of any STFC owned property should be advised of the existence of any known materials containing asbestos.