Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd is a UKAS accredited Inspection Body who offers an independent asbestos surveying service.

Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd offers an independent service to survey premises for the presence of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs). We are a UKAS Accredited Inspection Body (No. 381) and our surveys are carried out by experienced surveyors, qualified to the British Occupational Hygiene Society P402 standard. All samples are analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

We can also help you produce a management plan based on the survey results.

On 29th January 2010, the HSE released HSG 264, Asbestos: The survey guide. This document expands on and replaces MDHS 100 and is aimed at those conducting surveys, those who commission surveys and those with specific responsibilities for managing asbestos in accordance with The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.

Under HSG 264 there are three types of surveys:

Management Surveys

A Management Survey is a standard survey and will be used for the purposes of managing asbestos within properties. The survey will often involve intrusive work and some disturbance to facilitate foreseeable maintenance and related activities and can involve a combination of sampling to confirm the presence of asbestos containing materials or presuming asbestos to be present. The location, description, extent, surface treatment and condition are recorded for each suspected ACM and are recorded in the form of an asbestos register.

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys are required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as is reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned. The survey will be fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach.

Do I need to?

Companies should understand that failure to comply leaves you in breach of the law and potentially facing prosecution.

It may also affect your relationships with underwriters, especially when purchasing Employers’ Liability insurance. The ability to demonstrate that you have completed an asbestos risk management plan and implemented suitable controls to eliminate or minimise the risk of exposure to fibres to your staff and others will make a much more attractive prospect as far as the insurer is concerned.

We can help

Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd can help you decide which type of survey you need to meet these regulations, help you manage any risk and liability and give you recommendations of what to do next.

Chirmarn can manage the safe and efficient collection, removal, treatment and disposal of asbestos in accordance with current legislation.

Chirmarn can also provide an asbestos collection service using our licensed carrier. We can attend your site to pick up and dispose of asbestos that may have already been removed.

The dangers of asbestos

Before the hazards of asbestos were fully recognised, many builders and property renovators used fire-resistant asbestos in commercial and domestic properties. It is often found in cladding, pipe insulation, boiler rooms and textured coatings for walls and ceilings. Asbestos may have been present in your premises for decades and as long as it stays undisturbed and in good condition it poses little threat. However, there is always the risk that anyone doing work on the building could damage the asbestos and release the dangerous fibres.

The inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer. In the UK alone asbestos related diseases are estimated to kill up to 3,000 people a year. It can take anywhere from 15 to 60 years after first exposure before these serious diseases become apparent.

We can help

Chirmarn is licensed by the Health and Safety Executive to remove asbestos and also holds Waste Carrier and Waste Transfer Station Licences, issued by the Environment Agency.

In addition, Chirmarn has been awarded the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association Site Audit Accreditation certification for quality of work, excellent site standards and safe working methods. We have achieved National Britannia Safe Contractor Accreditation status and are also members of Constructionline and CHAS.

Chirmarn can provide a comprehensive service for all other types of contaminated land clearance and fly tipped waste disposal.

Our aim is to develop solutions tailored to meet the environmental settings and site end use.

Services we offer include:

• Advice on legislation compliance
• Risk and hazard assessment and implications
• Contaminated land clearance
• Removal and disposal of fly tipped waste
• On-site management of remediation works
• Waste management services

Chirmarn undertakes thermal and acoustic insulation and related sheet metal fabrication and erection contracts,
either combined as part of an integrated package of services along with asbestos removal, or on their own.

Chirmarn also undertakes structural fireproofing systems, thermal pipe support and flexible insulation and jacket manufacture.

Chirmarn offers a comprehensive and professional specialist clean up service. Available 24/7, our operatives can respond at short notice in any emergency.

Bird droppings (guano)

Bird droppings are unsanitary and a health and safety risk.

The inhalation of bacteria and fungus in bird faeces can cause diseases including Cryptococcsis, Histoplasmosis and Psittacosis.  Contaminants and unpleasant odours can quickly spread throughout buildings via ventilation systems, which are also at risk of damage if ducts become blocked.

Bird droppings not only look unsightly, in substantial quantities they can also cause corrosion of surfaces as bird faeces are very acidic.   If not removed correctly, this can also result in permanent damage to the structure of buildings or equipment.

Pavements and stairs can become slippery leading to injury.

Chirmarn can safely clean bird droppings from all types of environment, which will then be removed from site in secure containers and the area or equipment decontaminated.

Graffiti

Graffiti is an ever increasing form of urban vandalism that can be unsightly and offensive and its presence can have a detrimental effect on surrounding areas.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 states that the person responsible for the surface is also responsible for the cost of removing the graffiti.

Chirmarn works on behalf of councils, businesses and private homeowners to safely remove graffiti from most external surfaces.

Disaster Recovery

Water, sewage, fire, smoke, flood and storm damage.

When disaster strikes, Chirmarn provides the skills and experience for a specialist disaster clean up service.

Void Property Cleaning

It may be that drug users or alcoholics have been in the property, or there is a mountain of accumulated rubbish that needs to be dealt with.

Chirmarn can provide an extreme cleaning service for void properties.

Chirmarn can provide a decommissioning and dismantling service for all types of plant and machinery including:

• Boilers
• M & E pipework
• Duct work
• Flue pipes

Redundant or surplus plant can either be recovered for use elsewhere, maximising the residual value, or removed from site with minimum environmental impact and disposed of in accordance with current legislation.