Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are estimated to be contained within over 1.5 million UK buildings as of 2022. Whilst there are strict regulations existing to prevent dangerous levels of exposure to asbestos fibres, the post-pandemic state of the UK has posed some grounds for higher asbestos concerns when it comes to demolition or renovation work.
Public Houses
One area that suffered total business loss during the pandemic was pubs throughout the UK, with many closing their doors for good and the buildings going to ruin ready for demolition. Other public houses were sought after for full renovation to transform them into luxury apartments to provide a boost against the UK housing shortage.
With most public houses being built throughout the last century or before, the presence of asbestos is probable – which means that heightened levels of asbestos exposure risk are certain to be a factor when re-developing these buildings.
Where pubs may contain asbestos
Asbestos was commonly used in the construction of pubs within lagging or insulation of pipework, as well as in the floors and ceilings.
As the majority of England pubs have cellars to store barrels and stock, these areas are prime for high levels of asbestos around the piping and the low ceiling and flooring where – back in the day – low costs were a more important factor than overall appearance.
Stock movement, general maintenance and occupancy over the years may have disturbed and exposed asbestos within the structures, therefore an asbestos survey Manchester before any renovation or demolition work should be conducted to detect any exposure to asbestos fibres.
Is asbestos testing expensive?
Asbestos testing within a public house setting is a more vigorous task than that of a domestic residence as these properties are almost always guaranteed to have areas such as a cellar, ground floor, second floor and loft space that is more sizable than most houses or buildings.
The testing has to be done by a professional asbestos removal company that specialise in asbestos removal services and have extensive experience in locating harmful materials within all of the spaces of a public house. With dilapidated public houses standing for long periods before being commissioned for demolition or rebuild work, the condition of all of the areas containing asbestos may already be in a disturbed or decaying state.
This requires extensive professional work in asbestos removal Manchester before anyone conducts any kind of construction or demolition work.
For asbestos removal South Manchester, contact the team at Grosvenor Asbestos Solutions today if you own any public houses that require demolition or renovation to ascertain the state of asbestos risk.
