The Purpose of an Asbestos Survey

• To help manage asbestos in your premises.
• To provide accurate information on the location, amount and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
• To assess the level of damage or deterioration in the ACMs and whether remedial action is required.
• To use the survey information to prepare a record of the location of any asbestos, commonly called an asbestos register,* and an asbestos plan of the building(s).
• To help identify all the ACMs to be removed before refurbishment work or demolition.

Key Points of an Asbestos Survey

• Be aware that the survey is essential for the client/dutyholder to successfully manage asbestos.
• All asbestos should be located as far as reasonably practicable within the survey type.
• Ensure that the appropriate survey is undertaken for the client’s needs.
• Avoid caveats.
• Ensure the survey is reported in a format that can be used to prepare an asbestos register and building plan.
• Inform the client that the survey is not the end point in managing asbestos.

Management surveys.  

A management survey is the standard survey. Its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation, and to assess their condition.

Refurbishment and demolition surveys

A refurbishment and demolition survey is needed before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned. The survey will be fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. A refurbishment and demolition survey may also be required in other circumstances, eg when more intrusive maintenance and repair work will be carried out or for plant removal or dismantling.

Extensive details/description of what the above surveys entail can be found by clicking the link below :-

www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg264.pdf 

Associated links :-

ACAD – www.tica-acad.co.uk