
Types of Asbestos Surveys
There are a few types of asbestos survey and it is important you arrange the correct one. This short guide will help you understand the difference, but if you have any questions about which is the right asbestos survey for your property, our staff will be more than happy to advise, just get in touch to talk to a member of our team.
Asbestos Management Survey
A management survey is the standard asbestos survey. The purpose of a management survey is to locate (as far as reasonably practical) the presence and extent of any suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in the building. The management survey will also review the condition of these materials.
An asbestos management survey will cause minor disturbance and it will involve a small amount of intrusive work, the degree of which will vary from property to property. A management survey will include an assessment of the condition of the ACMs and their likelihood of releasing fibres into the air if they are disturbed. The survey will also involve sampling and analysis to confirm the suspected presence of ACMs.
Re-inspection surveys
If you have already had an asbestos survey conducted, you should have been provided key information such as a Material Hazard Assessment. This provides an indication of how likely an asbestos-containing material is to release airborne fibres.
It is then the responsibility of the duty holder to determine the specific risk that each ACM poses, based on the level of occupation in the area the ACM was found. Following this, an asbestos management plan should be produced.
As part of ongoing asbestos management, frequent monitoring is required at regular intervals. This is where a reinspection survey is essential. Reinspection surveys can monitor the condition of the asbestos, checking that it has not deteriorated or sustained damage. As a guide, ACMs should be inspected every 6 – 12 months.
Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
A refurbishment and demolition survey is, as the name suggests, needed before any refurbishment/demolition work is carried out. This type of asbestos survey will locate and describe (as far as reasonably practical) any ACMs in the area the refurbishment is planned. Or, in the case of demolition, the survey will look at the whole building.
This type of asbestos survey is fully intrusive and access to all areas will be required, even those that might be difficult to reach. Aggressive inspection techniques will be used, for example lifting carpet/tiles, breaking through walls, ceilings, cladding and partitions, and even lifting up floors. For this reason, a refurbishment and demolition survey should only be conducted in unoccupied areas, to minimise the risk and disturbance to the public.
If you are in need of an asbestos survey, we can help. Give our friendly team a call and we can arrange an asbestos survey that is fit for your requirements.
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