If you’re planning a new fibre internet installation for your business, there is one requirement that is often overlooked: the asbestos register.
Many businesses only discover the importance of an asbestos register when an engineer arrives on site and is unable to proceed with the installation. This can lead to delays, rescheduled appointments and potentially additional charges.
Whether your fibre internet installation is being carried out by Openreach, CityFibre, Virgin Media Business or another network provider, understanding the asbestos register requirements before your installation date can help avoid unnecessary disruption.
Why Are We Seeing More Fibre Installation Delays?
The industry is seeing a noticeable increase in fibre internet installation delays caused by missing asbestos documentation. As carriers continue to strengthen health and safety procedures, engineers are being asked to verify asbestos information more frequently than in previous years.
Unfortunately, many businesses remain unaware of this requirement until the installation date arrives, often because the landlord, management company or end user has not been informed during the ordering process. This can result in delayed installations, aborted engineer visits and additional costs that could have been avoided with a simple check before the order was placed.
What Is an Asbestos Register?
An asbestos register is a document that records the location and condition of any known or presumed asbestos-containing materials within a building.
For commercial buildings and the common areas of multi-occupancy properties, UK regulations place a legal duty on the responsible person to manage asbestos risks. This responsibility usually sits with the landlord, freeholder, building owner or management company.
The asbestos register allows contractors and engineers to work safely when carrying out building alterations, maintenance or infrastructure installations, including fibre internet installations.
Why Is an Asbestos Register Required for Fibre Internet Installations?
During a fibre broadband or FTTP installation, engineers may need to:
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Drill through walls and ceilings.
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Install new internal and external cabling.
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Access ceiling voids and risers.
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Mount network equipment.
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Run fibre cables through communal areas.
Because these activities can disturb building materials, engineers must ensure there is no risk of exposing asbestos-containing materials.
Openreach requires asbestos information for many commercial properties before surveys and installation work can proceed. If the required documentation is unavailable, installation work may be delayed until the information is provided.
Openreach and Asbestos Register Requirements
Openreach advises that buildings constructed before 2000 may require an asbestos register before surveys or installation work can take place.
The asbestos register is considered an important health and safety document and forms part of the building’s asbestos management responsibilities.
If the documentation cannot be supplied, Openreach may place the order on hold until the necessary information has been provided.
Tenants May Not Know an Asbestos Register Exists
One of the biggest causes of installation delays is that tenants are often unaware that an asbestos register is required.
In most cases, the document is held by:
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The landlord.
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The freeholder.
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The building owner.
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The facilities management company.
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The property management company.
If your business is arranging a fibre internet installation, you should contact the relevant party as early as possible to confirm the register is available.
What Happens If There Is No Asbestos Register?
If the engineer arrives and asbestos documentation cannot be provided, the installation may be:
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Delayed.
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Put on hold.
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Rescheduled.
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Aborted if work cannot safely continue.
Depending on the network provider and the circumstances, businesses may also be liable for missed appointment or aborted visit charges.
This means a simple administrative issue could delay your fibre internet installation by days or even weeks.
How to Avoid Delays to Your Fibre Installation
Before your installation date, ask your landlord or management company the following questions:
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Do you have an asbestos register?
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Can a copy be provided if requested by the carrier?
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Are there any site access requirements?
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Is a wayleave agreement required?
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Are there any building restrictions that could affect the installation?
Taking these steps early can help ensure your fibre internet installation proceeds without unnecessary delays.
Planning a Fibre Internet Installation?
At Raw, we regularly coordinate fibre internet installations across offices, industrial units, managed buildings and commercial premises throughout the UK.
If you’re ordering a new FTTP, leased line or business broadband service, we can help identify potential issues before installation day, including asbestos register requirements, landlord permissions and site access considerations.
A quick conversation before placing your order could save weeks of delays and help ensure your business gets connected on time.