Asbestos in St. Peter’s Primary School (FOI)

Request

It has been brought to my attention that the following Freedom of Information (FOI) responses differ with regards to asbestos at St Peters school.

Asbestos at the General Hospital and in schools (FOI)

Asbestos in St Peter's and Bel Royal primary schools (FOI)

A

Why is St. Peters School included on the first response and yet the second response says that there is no asbestos?

"The most recent survey undertaken at St Peter’s Primary School was a re-inspection, which was undertaken earlier this year. This survey found there to be no asbestos present.

There had previously been “asbestos containing material” (ACM) identified within the boiler room serving the old school. This ACM was removed in 1997. The 1966 school building, including the boiler room, was demolished in 2007 when the present school was constructed. The current modern school, constructed in 2008, does not contain any ACMs.

A new asbestos management survey is planned for the pre-2000 original granite part of the school building, constructed in 1862, which will be completed by the end of 2018".

B

Why would you need to do another asbestos survey if no asbestos was found?

C

What is in the granite part of the school?

D

Is there asbestos in the granite part?

Response

A, B and D 

Surveys were undertaken on the former school prior to its redevelopment, with the last survey being carried out in 2001. This survey concluded that no asbestos was present.

The school was redeveloped in 2008 and no Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) would have been used in the new build works.

However, the original granite building remains as part of the current school building. Practices with regard to the surveying of buildings and materials for asbestos have been substantially updated since the 2001 survey was undertaken. Following a re-inspection in summer 2018 it was agreed that a further survey would be undertaken on the original granite building that meets the current approved code of practice standards. This is planned to be completed by the end of 2018.

St Peter’s school will remain on the register until such a time as this has been carried out and ACM’s are confirmed not to be present.

C

The granite part of the school is the original school building, built in 1862, located at the eastern end of the site and to which the new school, built in 2008, is attached. This part of the school comprises of:

• Library

• Multi-purpose room

• Reading room

• Special needs room

• Two group rooms

• Caretaker’s office

• Two stores