EMS recently undertook a refurbishment asbestos survey at The Deanery in the Cathedral Cloisters on behalf of our client, Hereford Cathedral. The refurbishment asbestos survey was required prior to refurbishment works being undertaken on the building.

The Deanery is a stone built, Grade I Listed three storey residence set within the Hereford Cathedral Cloisters in the centre of Hereford. It is also located within a conservation area. The building is largely constructed in sandstone with a Welsh slate roof and dates back to the 15^th Century. It boasts a range of notable 19^th and 20^th century period features including gothic glazed sash windows, exposed timber beams, cornicing and panelled doors and shutters.

The asbestos refurbishment survey was required prior to maintenance and refurbishment works taking place on The Deanery, which is the home of the Dean of Hereford. This project was required prior to the arrival of a new Dean of Hereford later in 2021.

Hereford Cathedral bid farewell to former Dean of Hereford The Very Revd Michael Tavinor in February 2021 after serving for almost two decades. Revd Canon Sarah Brown has been appointed as the new Dean of Hereford and is due to take the post in Autumn 2021. Significantly, this will be the first time in the 1,300-year history of the diocese that a woman has been appointed to the role of Dean.

As part of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR) all asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) must be identified and removed if likely to be disturbed, before refurbishment works take place. An intrusive asbestos survey is therefore required, and this is called a refurbishment asbestos survey. Refurbishment asbestos surveys include intrusive methods of surveying which includes lifting floorboards or breaking into cavity walls. To ensure the survey is carried out accurately it is essential that the scope of the survey is agreed with the client prior to commencement, this ensures that the refurbishment asbestos survey covers all areas affected by refurbishment works and does not cause any undue damage to the building. This was particularly important at the Deanery due to its Grade I Listed status.

Once the refurbishment asbestos survey was complete, a full report was produced and issued to Hereford Cathedral. The report contains information regarding if and where asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) were found, the quantity, type of asbestos and risk rating.

EMS wish the former Dean of Hereford The Very Revd Michael Tavinor a happy retirement from the post and look forward to welcoming the New Dean Revd Sarah Brown later in the year.