Do I need an asbestos survey before renovating?
Yes, if the building is old enough. Regulation 3 of the Workplace Safety and Health (Asbestos) Regulations 2014 requires a survey report from a competent person before building works start on a building, or part of one, that has no certificate of statutory completion or temporary occupation permit issued on or after 1 January 1991. MOM's FAQ confirms this applies to renovating a house. The survey must cover all areas being renovated; unaffected areas may be excluded.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Asbestos in Renovation and Strip-Out in Singapore: Surveys, Approved Removal and Owner Duties. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
In Singapore, building works on a building whose completion certificate or TOP was issued before 1 January 1991 must not start until a competent person has surveyed for asbestos. Any asbestos found may only be removed by an MOM-approved asbestos-removal contractor, which must notify MOM at least 7 days ahead. The occupier must ensure no one else removes it, and the waste goes by licensed collector to Semakau Landfill.
More questions on this topic
- Does my building contain asbestos?
- Can my renovation contractor remove asbestos ceiling boards?
- How much notice does MOM need before asbestos removal?
- Is asbestos dangerous if I leave it alone?
- What happens to the asbestos waste?
- Who is responsible: the owner or the contractor?
- What are the health risks of asbestos exposure?
- What should I do if suspected asbestos is found halfway through the works?