# Asbestos Survey & Testing in Ireland Verdé Environmental Group provides asbestos surveys, air clearance testing and asbestos management-plan support in Ireland through its occupational hygiene service, with offices in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, Castlebar, Co. Mayo and Cork. An asbestos survey identifies suspect materials and helps you plan how to manage them safely before building work. ## Key takeaways - Asbestos can be present in industrial, commercial, public and residential buildings built or refurbished before 2004. - Identify presumed asbestos before demolition, maintenance or renovation. Where reliable information is unavailable, a competent surveyor may be needed. - Do not drill, cut, sand or take your own samples of suspect materials. - Verdé lists asbestos surveys, air clearance testing and management-plan support in its occupational hygiene service. - Ask Verdé to confirm the building types covered, survey scope, price and timing for your particular enquiry. ## Do I need an asbestos survey? A survey helps identify asbestos-containing materials before work that could disturb them, and supports the safe management of older workplaces. The right survey depends on the building and the work planned. The HSA says asbestos can be found in buildings built or refurbished before 2004. Its demolition and refurbishment safety alert highlights pre-2000 buildings as a particular concern. Building age is a starting point, not proof that asbestos is present or absent. [HSA: Asbestos FAQs](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_faqs/) [HSA: Safety alert on asbestos at demolition and refurbishment sites](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/safety_alerts/2022/management_of_asbestos_containing_materials_on_demolition_refurbishment_sites/) ### Renovating, refitting or extending Identify suspect materials in the work area before they are disturbed. ### Demolishing all or part of a building A refurbishment/demolition survey identifies asbestos in the areas affected by the works. ### Running a workplace in an older building The HSA says workplaces built before 2004 need an asbestos risk assessment, a management survey and a management plan. ### Applying for planning permission Check the information your designer, contractor and local authority need for your planned works. [HSA: Safety alert on asbestos at demolition and refurbishment sites](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/safety_alerts/2022/management_of_asbestos_containing_materials_on_demolition_refurbishment_sites/) [HSA: Asbestos FAQs](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_faqs/) [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) The asbestos regulations also cover construction work in people's homes, so any builder or contractor you hire has to know where asbestos is before they start. The HSA's [homeowners' guide](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/construction/homeowners_guidance.pdf) explains your role when you get work done. [HSA: Asbestos legislation](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/legislation_and_guidance/asbestos_legislation/) [HSA: Homeowners' guide to getting construction work done safely](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/construction/homeowners_guidance.pdf) ## Types of asbestos survey The HSA describes two principal survey types. This comparison explains the guidance; it is not a claim that Verdé offers every survey type or covers every building. | Survey | What it's for | When you need it | How intrusive | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Management asbestos survey (MAS) | Finds and assesses asbestos that could be disturbed in normal use and routine maintenance, so it can be managed safely. | Occupied buildings and workplaces, especially workplaces built before 2004. | Mainly visual, with sampling of suspect materials. | | Refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey (RDAS) | Finds all asbestos in the areas being refurbished or demolished, so it can be removed before work starts. | Before any refurbishment, refit, upgrade or demolition, well in advance of the works. | Intrusive: it can mean lifting floors and opening walls or ceilings in the work area. | [HSA: Asbestos surveys](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_surveys/) [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) [HSA: Asbestos FAQs](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_faqs/) Older reports may call these surveys 'Type 2' (management) and 'Type 3' (refurbishment/demolition). Whichever type you need, the asbestos survey report should record where asbestos is or is presumed to be, what type it is, its condition, and what to do next, including an asbestos management plan where it stays in place. [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) Verdé lists asbestos surveys and management-plan support. Ask the team to confirm the appropriate survey type and whether your building is within its service scope. ## How an asbestos survey works The HSA describes building inspection, sampling of suspect materials, laboratory analysis and a survey report. The stages below explain that general process, not a confirmed Verdé sampling method or timetable. ### Tell us about the building Tell Verdé the building address or Eircode, its approximate age and the work planned. The team can confirm the service scope for your enquiry. ### Site visit and inspection A competent surveyor inspects the areas within the agreed scope and records suspect materials and their condition. ### Sampling The HSA says sampling of suspect materials must only be undertaken by a competent person or company. Do not take your own samples. ### Laboratory analysis Analysis identifies whether samples contain asbestos. Confirm who will sample and analyse materials, and the relevant laboratory arrangements, before commissioning work. ### Your report and next steps The survey report records the findings and supports decisions about managing materials or planning works. Ask Verdé about the deliverables and expected timing. [HSA: Asbestos surveys](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_surveys/) [Verdé: Occupational hygiene service](https://verde.ie/services/occupational-hygiene) [Verdé: Contact page](https://verde.ie/contact) Verdé also lists air clearance testing and an asbestos survey / clearance certificate among its occupational hygiene services. The required testing and documentation depend on the work. [Verdé: Occupational hygiene service](https://verde.ie/services/occupational-hygiene) ## Where asbestos is found in Irish buildings Asbestos may be found in older roof sheets, soffits, textured coatings, pipe insulation and floor tiles. Appearance alone cannot confirm whether a material contains asbestos; sampling and analysis must be carried out by a competent person or company. ### Soffits, gutters and downpipes Asbestos insulating board or cement under the eaves, and cement gutters and downpipes. ### Textured ceilings and walls Textured decorative coatings, often called Artex, on ceilings and walls. ### Water tanks Asbestos cement water tanks, usually in the attic. ### Insulating board Asbestos insulating board (AIB) around boilers and heaters, in partition walls, ceiling tiles and fire-door panels. ### Pipe and boiler lagging Lagging on hot-water pipes and boilers. Check the hot press, the attic and under floors. ### Vinyl floor tiles Older vinyl floor tiles, often in kitchens, halls and bathrooms. ### Corrugated roof sheets Asbestos cement sheets on sheds, garages, farm buildings and older extensions. ### Flues Asbestos cement flue pipes from boilers and heaters. [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) In commercial and industrial buildings, also look for sprayed coatings on beams, columns and ceilings, loose-fill insulation, and rope seals and gaskets on plant. [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) ### If you think you've found asbestos Do: - Leave it alone, and keep people away if it's damaged. - Tell anyone who'll work on the building, including builders, electricians and plumbers. - Get an asbestos survey before any work that could disturb it. Do not: - Drill, sand, cut, scrape or break it. - Sweep or vacuum up dust or debris from it. - Put it in a household bin or skip. Asbestos waste must go to a permitted collector. [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) [HSA: Asbestos FAQs](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_faqs/) ## Service scope and important limits Confirm what is appropriate for your building before commissioning any survey or testing. - No fixed price or report turnaround is stated here; ask Verdé for a scope-specific quotation. - A photograph or building-age check cannot establish whether a material contains asbestos. - This page does not offer asbestos removal, domestic or pre-purchase surveys, or name surveyor qualifications or a laboratory. Confirm those details directly with Verdé. - Use the office numbers below for asbestos enquiries, not the oil-spill emergency line. ## Frequently asked questions Answers on survey scope, safety, costs and next steps, with HSA and EPA guidance. ### How much does an asbestos survey cost? Verdé does not publish an asbestos survey price on its existing service page. Tell the team the address or Eircode, building size and age, access arrangements and planned works so it can confirm the scope and quotation. ### How long does asbestos testing take? No asbestos-specific turnaround is confirmed here. Ask Verdé to confirm the time on site, any analysis arrangements and the report delivery date for your enquiry. ### Is asbestos testing a legal requirement? The HSA says employers must identify presumed asbestos before demolition, maintenance or renovation of premises built before 31 December 2004. If reliable information is unavailable, a competent person must examine the premises. A refurbishment/demolition survey is relevant to the areas affected by planned works. The exact duties depend on the work and your role; consult current HSA guidance. ### Can I test for asbestos myself? We don't recommend it. Taking a sample means breaking off a piece of the material, which is exactly when fibres can be released. The HSA says sampling and analysis of suspect materials must only be done by a competent person or company, and the EPA's advice is to presume a material contains asbestos until it's proven otherwise. Leave it undisturbed and get it surveyed. ### What happens if asbestos is found? The next step depends on the material, its condition and whether planned work could disturb it. Do not disturb it yourself. A competent person should assess the risk and advise on management or removal. Verdé lists management-plan support and air clearance testing; ask the team to confirm the service needed. ### Do I need an asbestos survey before renovating my house? The HSA says asbestos may be present in residential buildings built or refurbished before 2004. Before works that could disturb suspect materials, discuss asbestos information and survey requirements with your designer or contractor. This is general guidance, not confirmation that Verdé surveys private homes. ### Who can carry out an asbestos survey in Ireland? The HSA says sampling and analysis must only be undertaken by a competent person or company. Its guidance lists appropriate surveyor training, knowledge of Irish legislation and laboratory quality arrangements. Ask your chosen provider for evidence relevant to your project; no Verdé-specific qualification or laboratory accreditation is claimed here. ### Is asbestos dangerous if it's left alone? Usually not, if it's in good condition. The EPA says asbestos materials in good condition that are left undisturbed are unlikely to release fibres, so the risk to health is very low, and it's often safer to leave them and check their condition over time. The danger comes when they're damaged or disturbed, for example by drilling, sanding or demolition. ## Sources and further reading Use the HSA and EPA as the source for current regulatory and safety guidance. Verdé’s occupational hygiene and contact pages are the source for the service and office details shown here. Building-age guidance is not a diagnosis or legal determination. Service scope, sampling arrangements, laboratory details and timings must be confirmed for your enquiry. - [HSA: Asbestos surveys](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_surveys/) - [HSA: Asbestos FAQs](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/asbestos_introduction/asbestos_faqs/) - [HSA: Safety alert on asbestos at demolition and refurbishment sites](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/safety_alerts/2022/management_of_asbestos_containing_materials_on_demolition_refurbishment_sites/) - [HSA: Asbestos legislation](https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/legislation_and_guidance/asbestos_legislation/) - [EPA: Best practice guidance for handling asbestos (2023)](https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/waste/hazardous-waste/best-practice-guidance-for-handling-asbestos.php) - [Verdé: Occupational hygiene service](https://verde.ie/services/occupational-hygiene) - [Verdé: Contact page](https://verde.ie/contact) ## Ask Verdé about an asbestos survey Tell Verdé the building’s address or Eircode, roughly when it was built, what it is used for and any work planned. The existing site states a reply within one working day for new enquiries. For general enquiries, call [01 201 1260](tel:+35312011260) or email [info@verde.ie](mailto:info@verde.ie). You can also use the [main contact page](https://verde.ie/contact). ### Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow E7 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, A63 KV04 [01 201 1260](tel:+35312011260) ### Castlebar, Co. Mayo Units 3 & 4, Strathmore Place, Moneen Industrial Estate, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 YV61 [094 907 3999](tel:+353949073999) ### Cork Unit 3, Airport East Business & Technology Park, Farmer's Cross, Cork, Co. Cork, T12 T854 [021 236 4679](tel:+353212364679) ## Related services - [Occupational hygiene](https://verde.ie/services/occupational-hygiene): Workplace exposure monitoring for dust, silica, solvents, noise and asbestos, with practical control advice. - [Air quality, noise & acoustics](https://verde.ie/services/air-noise-acoustics): Baseline studies, dispersion modelling and long-term acoustic campaigns. - [Contaminated land](https://verde.ie/services/contaminated-land): Site investigation, risk assessment, remediation design and validation sign-off. - [All services](https://verde.ie/services): Every Verdé discipline, from licensing to drilling, under one roof. - [Contact Verdé](https://verde.ie/contact): Offices in Kilcoole, Castlebar and Cork. We reply within one working day.