Used extensively in schools throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s and into the 1980s asbestos is a carcinogen still present in schools throughout Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. Asbestos can be found in the fabric of a school building; above ceilings, below floors and often in plain sight in classrooms. Asbestos would have been used in materials from asbestos pads for carrying out experiments in the science lab to asbestos cement prefab buildings, Marley tiles to the floor, asbestos insulation board ceiling tiles in classrooms and lagging of pipework in the plant room.

We have been called out to survey asbestos in schools in Redhill and Reigate, secondary schools in Surbiton and colleges in Richmond and London and have managed large removal projects to remove asbestos board, pipe lagging and asbestos cement  from schools from Farnham and Wallington to Sutton and Guildford.

In our experience, the schools we work with are responsible and diligent in dealing with asbestos. They are fully engaged in the need to protect both pupils and teachers. We work with schools to identify the essential remedial actions that need to be taken to ensure the school can functions safely. School are working with a limited budget so those asbestos materials that represent the biggest threat such as pipe lagging, asbestos insulation board, damaged asbestos materials and those asbestos containing materials vulnerable to damage within the school are prioritised. The lower risk materials that do not represent a threat to pupils or teachers are often left in situ. It is essential that these materials are then managed so the future risk of damage and deterioration is minimised.