How often should asbestos be re-inspected and the management plan reviewed?
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Review the asbestos management plan at least every 12 months, and inspect known or presumed asbestos materials periodically to check their condition. HSE guidance says the gap between condition checks would not be expected to be more than 12 months in most cases.
What to do, and how often
| Task | How often | Who | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review the asbestos management plan, register and drawings | Every year | Dutyholder | Guidance Regulation 4 requires review at regular intervals. HSE's Approved Code of Practice L143 says the plan should be reviewed every 12 months as a minimum, and sooner if circumstances change. SourcesS1S4S3 |
| Re-inspect known or presumed asbestos-containing materials and record their condition | Every yearAt least every 12 months in most cases; more often for materials in busy or vulnerable locations | Dutyholder, using a competent person | Guidance Regulation 4 requires the condition of asbestos to be monitored. HSE guidance says the period between checks depends on the material, its location and activity nearby, and would not be expected to be more than 12 months in most cases. SourcesS2S5S6S7 |
The law
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places a duty to manage asbestos on the dutyholder for non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings. The dutyholder must assess whether asbestos is present, keep a written plan, monitor the condition of asbestos, and review and revise the plan at regular intervals. The regulation does not fix the interval.
The standard
No British Standard sets the interval. HSE's Approved Code of Practice L143 (second edition, 2013) and its web guidance on the duty to manage give the regulator's position.
Records to keep
- Asbestos register, kept up to date
- Asbestos management plan with dated reviews
- Re-inspection reports with photographs and condition scores
- Records of information given to contractors and the emergency services
Notes
The 12 month review of the plan comes from HSE's Approved Code of Practice, which has special legal status: if you follow it you will normally be doing enough to comply. The re-inspection interval is risk-based.
HSE's older guide HSG227 notes that materials in remote, unoccupied areas may need inspecting only once every 12 months or less often, while those in busy areas need more frequent checks.
Who delivers this in the group
Not a group service
This is not delivered by an AMPM Group company. It is listed because building managers need the whole picture.
Questions people ask
Asbestos management (re-inspection): is the interval set in law?
No task on this page has an interval set in legislation. Each one is recommended by guidance. Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places a duty to manage asbestos on the dutyholder for non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings. The dutyholder must assess whether asbestos is present, keep a written plan, monitor the condition of asbestos, and review and revise the plan at regular intervals. The regulation does not fix the interval.
Asbestos management (re-inspection): who should carry out each task?
Dutyholder: review the asbestos management plan, register and drawings. Dutyholder, using a competent person: re-inspect known or presumed asbestos-containing materials and record their condition.
Asbestos management (re-inspection): what records should you keep?
Keep these records: asbestos register, kept up to date; asbestos management plan with dated reviews; re-inspection reports with photographs and condition scores; records of information given to contractors and the emergency services.
Sources
Every task and legal statement is supported by at least one source fetched over HTTPS and read on the date shown. Quotes are verbatim and 25 words or fewer. A second, independent verification pass re-fetched every source and re-read the legislation on 5 October 2026. Intervals taken from British Standards were checked against published summaries of those standards by trade bodies and government guidance, because the standards themselves are paid publications.
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legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“the plan is reviewed and revised at regular intervals”
Supports: Legal duty to review the management plan at regular intervals
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legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“monitoring the condition of any asbestos or any substance containing or suspected of containing asbestos”
Supports: Legal duty to monitor the condition of asbestos
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The duty to manage asbestos in buildings: Overview ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Page as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“monitor it and review it every 12 months or sooner if necessary”
Supports: HSE: review the plan every 12 months or sooner
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Managing and working with asbestos: Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L143) ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Second edition, 2013 · read on
“As a minimum, the management plan, including records and drawings, should be reviewed every 12 months.”
Supports: Approved Code of Practice: plan reviewed every 12 months as a minimum
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Managing and working with asbestos: Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L143) ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Second edition, 2013 · read on
“The frequency of inspection will depend on the location of the ACMs and other factors which could affect their condition”
Supports: Inspection frequency depends on location and other factors
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The duty to manage asbestos: Write your asbestos management plan and monitor it ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Page as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“All ACMs in good condition must be regularly inspected to check that they remain in a good condition.”
Supports: Asbestos in good condition must be regularly inspected
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A comprehensive guide to managing asbestos in premises (HSG227) ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Published 2002; still listed in the HSE catalogue · read on
“would not be expected to be more than 12 months in most cases”
Supports: HSE guide: monitoring interval not expected to exceed 12 months in most cases