The short answer
Schools and other public buildings are non-domestic premises, so the duty to manage asbestos applies in full. The Department for Education’s guidance, Managing asbestos in your school or college, says buildings may contain asbestos if any part was built before 2000, and that a survey is needed unless every structure on site was wholly built after 2000.
Who the duty holder is in a school
The DfE guidance explains that it depends on the type of school:
- Local authority maintained schools: the local authority is likely to be a duty holder.
- Academies and multi-academy trusts: the academy trust is likely to be a duty holder.
- Voluntary aided schools: the governing body is the duty holder for the school buildings.
- Foundation schools: responsibilities may lie with several people or bodies.
For other public buildings, the duty holder is whoever is responsible for maintenance and repair, often a council, trust or the building’s owner.
Why older system-built schools are a concern
The DfE guidance notes that system-built school buildings were put up from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. Many were built quickly from standard components during periods of rapid school building, and asbestos products were in wide use at the time. Insulating board, cement panels, ceiling tiles and pipe insulation can turn up in these buildings, sometimes in voids and columns that are not obvious.
Busy buildings add to the risk. Classrooms see drawing pins, displays, knocks from furniture and frequent minor works. That makes a reliable register and strict control of contractors especially important.
What good management looks like
- An up-to-date management survey and register, with a site plan.
- A written management plan, with named responsibilities.
- Regular checks on the condition of materials.
- A permit or sign-off system so no contractor starts work without checking the register.
- Staff told where asbestos is in the rooms they use. The DfE guidance says this should happen.
- A refurbishment and demolition survey before any building work.
HSE publishes an asbestos management checklist for schools. It is voluntary, but it’s a useful way to review arrangements.
What staff and parents can ask
It’s reasonable to ask a school or council:
- Has the building been surveyed, and when was the register last updated?
- Is there an asbestos management plan, and who is responsible for it?
- How are contractors checked before they start work?
- How will staff and parents be told if asbestos is disturbed?
The DfE guidance calls it good practice to give information about asbestos to parents and carers, and says the management plan should set out what information is made available to them. After an incident, it says staff, pupils and their parents or carers should be given relevant information.
Keep it in proportion
Asbestos in good condition that is well managed is unlikely to release fibres. The aim is to know where it is, keep it from being damaged and deal with problems promptly. If something has been disturbed, see our guide on what to do after possible exposure.
Other public buildings
Village halls, churches, libraries, surgeries and community centres are covered by the same duty. Smaller bodies often have volunteer trustees, so it helps to name one person to hold the register and check contractors. We carry out surveys, re-inspections and removal for duty holders. Ask us for a quote.
Quick answers
Is there asbestos in my child’s school?
If any part was built before 2000, it may contain asbestos. The school or its responsible body should hold a survey and register.
Who is responsible in an academy?
The DfE guidance says the academy trust is likely to be a duty holder.
Does asbestos have to be removed from schools?
Not automatically. Materials in good condition can be managed in place. Damaged material must be dealt with, and asbestos should be removed before refurbishment or demolition where reasonably practicable.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For the law itself, see the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE’s asbestos pages. Not sure what you’re dealing with? Ask us.