Asbestos Management for Retail & Commercial Units

For retail businesses, asbestos management is a critical component of property compliance and staff safety. Whether you are an independent shop owner, a commercial landlord, or a high-street tenant, understanding your legal obligations is essential to avoid project delays, legal liability, and health risks.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, those who have maintenance responsibilities for non-domestic premises—known as the “duty holders”—must identify and manage any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within the building.

Where Asbestos is Commonly Found in Retail

Retail environments often underwent multiple refurbishments between the 1950s and late 1990s. This frequently led to newer shop-fittings being installed directly over older, asbestos-containing materials. Common locations include:

• Floor Tiles & Adhesives: Vinyl floor tiles and the black bitumen adhesive used to fix them.

• Ceiling Systems: Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) ceiling tiles and “Artex” textured coatings.

• Partition Walls: Fire-rated panels used in stockrooms, changing rooms, and behind service counters.

• Structural Fireproofing: Asbestos coatings on steel beams or columns, often hidden behind modern facades.

• Service Voids: Pipe lagging and insulation in basement storage areas or staff kitchens.

The Importance of Independent Surveys

In the retail sector, an independent survey provides a clear, unbiased assessment of your property. Because we do not offer removal services, our reports focus solely on providing accurate data. This is particularly valuable during lease negotiations (Pre-Lease Surveys) or when preparing for a dilapidations claim at the end of a tenancy.

Required Survey Types for Retailers

1. The Management Survey

This is the standard survey required for the ongoing occupation of a shop. Its purpose is to locate and assess the condition of ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during normal daily activity or routine maintenance. The resulting Asbestos Register must be available to any staff or contractors working on the premises.

2. The Refurbishment Survey

Retail units change frequently. If you are planning a “strip-out,” installing new refrigeration units, or changing the store layout, a Refurbishment Survey is a legal requirement before work starts. This is an intrusive inspection that looks behind wall panels and under floors to ensure contractors do not accidentally disturb hidden asbestos.

3. Emergency Sampling

If a material is damaged—for example, during a leak or a minor repair—it should be treated as asbestos until proven otherwise. We provide a rapid sampling service where a surveyor visits to take a physical piece of the material for professional laboratory analysis.

Minimising Business Disruption

We recognize that closing a shop for an inspection is often not an option. We work with retail managers to conduct surveys:

• Out of Hours: Early mornings or evening visits to avoid customer disruption.

• Segmented Inspections: Surveying stockrooms and “back of house” areas separately from the sales floor.

• Fast Turnaround: Providing digital PDF reports within 5 working days so you can proceed with lease signings or renovations without delay.

If you are taking on a new retail lease or planning a shop-fit and need professional guidance, contact our lead surveyor on 07711 855891.