Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos Survey Types

We undertake 2 different types of asbestos survey nationwide as directed by UK legislation.

• Asbestos Management Surveys (Previously known as a Type 2 survey)
• Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Asbestos Surveys (Previously known as a Type 3 survey)

Asbestos surveying is a specialized service designed to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials. Through their expertise in testing, identifying, and assessing the risks of hazardous materials, asbestos surveyors can provide essential advice on how to safely remove or contain any potential hazards.

What is an Asbestos Survey

An asbestos survey is a systematic inspection, conducted by an expert asbestos surveyor, to identify and assess the presence of asbestos-containing materials. The surveyor will typically check visible areas as well as other likely locations, like walls and floors, to provide an accurate assessment of the condition and locations of any potential hazards. The aim is to protect people from any potential risks associated with these hazardous materials.

What can you expect from an Asbestos Survey

An asbestos survey will typically involve an on-site inspection of the building by a qualified and experienced professional who will be familiar with the relevant regulations. During the survey, they will examine ceilings, walls and floors to identify any materials which pose an asbestos hazard. The survey should include detailed notes, photographs and samples where necessary in order to produce a comprehensive report of their findings. In addition to this, the surveyor may also make recommendations regarding how best to manage any hazardous materials identified.

How are the results of an Asbestos Survey used

Asbestos survey results can be used as the foundation for the development and implementation of an effective asbestos management plan. This plan typically involves listing a building’s asbestos-containing materials (ACM’s); assessing their condition; and outlining how any hazards should be dealt with. A sound asbestos management plan can help to protect those working in or visiting a building from potential asbestos exposure, whilst ensuring that any disturbance of potentially hazardous material is kept to a minimum. Additionally, an up-to-date report may also be necessary in order to comply with current legislation and health and safety guidelines.

Asbestos Management Surveys

Management asbestos surveys ( formally Type 2 asbestos survey) are standard inspection surveys in order to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for all commercial and industrial property and also for those buying or disposing of property. This type of inspection is non-intrusive but does include sampling of suspect materials which are then sent to the laboratory to report on whether asbestos is present and if so, what types of asbestos. If you are a business whether leaseholder or freeholder this survey will identify what asbestos containing materials are in place within the your demise, their condition and what your legal obligations are in order to comply with the regulations. If you have been asked to carryout an asbestos survey for management purposes and provide an asbestos register for insurance or compliance purposes, including visits from either HSE or Environmental Health this is the survey type which includes the information set out in Regulation 4 “Duty to Manage” All commercial & industrial property ( some residential properties are also cover) built prior to the year 2002 are included in the regulation, regardless of size.

Asbestos Refurbishment-Demolition Surveys

Asbestos Refurbishment-Demotion survey ( formally Type 3 asbestos survey) must be undertaken on properties which are due to be refurbished or demolished ( or elements of both). Professionals, occupiers and management agents involved in minor and major fit-outs and strip-out will need to commission such a survey prior to beginning the works. As well as the requirements for this type of survey covered under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSG264, further stipulations are laid out in the CDM Regulations 2015 ( Construction Design and Management). The aim of this survey type is to survey the property in question for asbestos containing materials so as these can be managed safely or as is usually the case removed safely inline with the regulations before the strip-out and re-fit. All property types are covered regardless of size or class of use – residential, commercial, industrial or mixed. RD asbestos Surveys are highly intrusive and damage will occur to elements of the property in order to inspect the fabric of the building, as such this type of survey can only usually be undertaken in a vacant property and one which is owned by the person or company commissioning the survey.

Our Survey reports will always contain a number of key pieces of information such as the material assessment risk rating for each individual occurrence and recommendations on materials found including photographs and highlighted floor plans (where applicable) this information can then be used by those involved in the refurbishment and or demolition works.

If you are unsure as to which asbestos survey type you require please contact us and one of our surveyors will be happy to discuss your requirements.

Asbestos is a heat-resistant, chemical resistant, strength binding naturally fibrous mineral that was commonly added to manufacture building materials. It was found to be a durable material with fire and heat resistant properties. That is why it works so well as a fire proofing & insulating material in particular.

Any building constructed between the 1850 and 1999 will likely have asbestos-containing materials within the property. However, during the 1970’s & 1980s, health experts determined that asbestos was responsible for negatively impact the health of anyone who is exposed to it.

The greatest exposure to asbestos occurs when asbestos-containing materials are damaged because this action releases fibres into the air which can be readily inhaled and cause severe health consequences. Some of the most significant health consequences include lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, kidney cancer, and gastrointestinal tract cancer.

The Purpose of an Asbestos Survey

Any man made structure, commercial building, residential building or house constructed between the 1850 and 1999 can still pose a risk to the occupants or workers who live or reside within them. UK Regulations require you to conduct asbestos surveys on buildings constructed within this time period. They are required if you are occupying, buying, selling or demolishing such a building. If there are tenants or people living inside the building, then asbestos surveys are also performed as a health and safety check.

The job of an asbestos surveyor is to inspect your building and identify potential asbestos-containing materials. The asbestos fibres themselves cannot always be identified directly because they are microscopic, however an asbestos surveyor is familiar with the types of building materials that might have asbestos in them, such as flooring tiles, roofing materials, window caulks, and so on.

Once the surveyor has located an asbestos containing material a small sample will be taken of each suspect material which will then be analysed at the laboratory for further in-depth analysis. The laboratory will identify the type or types of asbestos present with sample(s) a bulk certificate of analysis is produced detailing the laboratory results.

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