Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi all,
we have a Client who is proposing renting a small office suite within a fairly modern office block, and intends to refurbish it. We advised them that (among other things) a refurbishment asbestos survey is required : they have agreed to procure one (per HSG 264 - refurbishment and demolition survey: UKAS accredited surveyor & testing laboratory) in advance of final design / commencement of work. All good stuff; survey results due next week and will form part of the pre-construction information pack. (No previous asbestos surveys carried out, unfortunately: ownership of the building has changed over the years and existing construction drawings are not available: in an ideal word there would be a Health and Safety File, but current owners (based in different country) have no records.
The office building (steel framed, concrete clad) was built in 1999. I know that the use of asbestos containing materials had long since been outlawed, and the asbestos survey will produce DEFINITIVE answers. Out of curiosity though has anyone come upon a modern office block of this era that still had asbestos containing materials in it?
Thanks
PH2
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Rank: Forum user 
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No.
I did come across an issue where when they were excavating beneath a modern structure they came across asbestos pipe cladding which had been from the previous building the modern one had been built over.
B
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Rank: Super forum user
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Our buildings where completed in 1996-7 and we specified that asbestos should not be used in constriction. When the PC handed the buildings over they refuses to definitively state that there was no asbestos in the building arguing that they had no control of what the subbies might be doing in some dark corners. We have commissioned survey before any refurbishments/rebuilding work and have not yet found any trace but we cannot put our hands on heart and say that there are no ACMs in the buildings.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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PH2
You may be surprised to learn that the use, import and manufacture of asbestos containing products was completely banned in the UK until 1999! Hence any building built from 2000 can be assumed does not contain asbestos materials.
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Rank: Forum user
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RayRapp wrote:PH2
You may be surprised to learn that the use, import and manufacture of asbestos containing products was completely banned in the UK until 1999! Hence any building built from 2000 can be assumed does not contain asbestos materials.
No less surprising than Canada's attempt to overrule the EU ban on asbestos containing products as an infringment of WTO trade agreements. http://trade.ec.europa.e...vember/tradoc_114497.pdf
Of course, this may be because that Canada is big on exporting asbestos, ironically with use of chrysotile asbestos virtually banned across Canada. http://ictsd.org/i/news/biores/109571/. A position which only very recently changed - http://www.theglobeandma...s-mining/article4545704/
B
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Rank: Super forum user
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I have seen asbestos being installed as late as 2006 [yep 2006].
Garages being built and were having lightweight roofs fitted with cement corrugated sheeting which was brand new. However on a close look the sheets did appear to me to be ACM and on checking it was found that the small builder had had the sheets for years in their store and instead of buying new for this job as was in the specification were looking to fit them on this job. Obviously the builder denied all knowledge that he knew that the sheets were/could be ACM's and took them away and installed new - the point being here is that we need to keep our enemies close and our friends even closer when it comes to such materials so if a PC etc. cannot clearly state that there will be no ACM's do not engage them. All that siad that is a one off in the last 11 years
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Rank: Super forum user
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As BY states there are instances of old ACM stock being installed post 2000 but the %ge is now small. A date of 1999 however does mean a clear potential.
My area of concern is products of far eastern origin as ACM is still widely used and produced out there. Some of this is finding a way across to here.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Floowing on from Bob's post.
Whilst the ban on ACM has been in force for a good few years, given the current furore surrounding food labelling/adulteration, how likely is it that currently available building materials may contain asbestos? Are we being complacent or are there adequate safeguards in place?
Is there anybody here with good knowledge of the global building proucts market?
Apologies if this suggestion resembles the proverbial poo in the swimming pool.
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