Ministry of Defence
The Company
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is both a policy-making Department of State and the highest level military headquarters in the UK. It controls resources for the Armed Forces of some £30 billion per year. Across the MOD, hundreds of thousands of military and civilian personnel work to deliver Britain's defence.
The MOD is one of the largest landowners in the UK and currently spends over £1bn per annum on its estate. The defence estate expands to approximately 240,000 hectares over 4,000 sites equivalent to around 1% of the UK landmass. Sites are generally described as "built" (barracks, naval bases, depots, aircraft hangars, etc.) or "rural". The built estate includes more than 45,000 buildings (excluding housing).
The Challenge
An increasing pressure exists for land for residential development, economic regeneration and recreation. As one of the largest landowners in the UK, the MOD must justify the need for every piece of land it holds and to demonstrate that it is properly managed.
In addition to upholding a high standard of property maintance, the MOD's duty of care to the vast volume of employees and visitors to sites, such as contractors, suppliers and the public, elicits the need to conduct asbestos surveys at elected sites.
Life Environmental was successful in its bid to survey two entirely different sites under control of the MOD.
Our Solution
The wide array of buildings surveyed were an 18-storey accommodation tower block, Officers Mess, Sergeants Mess, Guard Room & Medical Centre, Instructional Blocks, Quarter Masters Department, Junior Ranks Mess, Gymnasium, six accommodation blocks varying from one to three storeys, NAAFI shop and NAAFI Club.
Defence School of Languages, Beaconsfield:
The survey was carried out over a two-week period and included weekend working to access vacated accommodation. The comprehensive and detailed report, produced in the ENVACS format, was presented to the authorities for their consideration and action.
RAFSEE Henlow, Bedfordshire
Five very large buildings (Second World War Hangars) with timber Belfast Trusses, which are subject to preservation orders, were surveyed to ascertain the presence of, and to determine the extent of, asbestos. The trusses were the main cause of concern because of the debris lodged in them.
Very detailed and comprehensive reports were produced on each building giving precise assessments and recommended actions, all in compliance with The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. The reports also included a survey and analysis of lead based paint present on the trusses.
The reports, produced in ENVACS format, were delivered to the authorities for their examination and consideration.
The Results
RAFSEE Henlow, Bedfordshire - As a result of their diligent and professional approach, Life Environmental were appointed to the design team for the subsequent remediation project. We produced a general specification for asbestos removal and encapsulation works, together with a detailed scope of the works and specific requirements. We also advised on the selection of tenderers, the tendering procedure and the choice of the successful contractor.
- Risk Mitigation; Accurate identification of risk provided in alignment with the MOD's care of property and personnel
- Added value; expert advice and guidance with the tender process for the remediation project also reduced risk
- Cost effective; Minimal distruption, surveys delivered during weekends to access vacated accommodation
