The right survey depends on how the building is being used and whether any work is planned. If your building was built or refurbished before 2000, asbestos may be present. You shouldn’t guess if it is there or not, the law expects you to take reasonable steps to confirm what is there.
Asbestos Management Survey
A management survey is the standard survey for occupied buildings. Its purpose it to locate any asbestos containing materials that could be disturbed during everyday activities.
This type of survey is usually required to help duty holders comply with the duty to manage asbestos under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
A management survey will:
- Identify suspected asbestos containing materials
- Access their condition
- Include sampling and laboratory analysis where required
- Provide material assessments
- Support the creation of an asbestos register
This survey can allow you to find out if asbestos is there and prepare for a management plan. This is a legal requirement for non-domestic premises.
Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
A refurbishment and demolition survey is legally required before any planned work takes place.
The purpose of this survey is to ensure that asbestos is identified and dealt with before the contractors start work. A refurbishment and demolition survey must include:
- Identification of all asbestos in the planned work area
- Include sampling and confirmed laboratory results
- Provide clear locations and descriptions
- Support safe removal or management before work begins
This survey is more intrusive than a Management Survey as it is designed to locate all asbestos containing materials in the areas where work is planned. This could involve breaking through walls, lifting floors or accessing hidden spaces.
Re-Inspection Surveys
A re-inspection survey is carried out to check that previously identified asbestos has stayed the in the same condition as recorded in the original survey report. This confirms whether materials are stable, undamaged and not likely to release fibres.
A re-inspection survey will normally include
- Revisiting previous identified asbestos containing materials
- Review their current condition
- Check that labels and warning signs remain in place
- Confirm that control measures are still effective
- Update the asbestos register where required
This survey reports a review of your asbestos management plane, if the condition of materials has changed or the use of the building has altered, then the management approach may need adjusting.
Pre-Purchase Surveys
Pre-purchase survey gives you clarity before you commit as it protects your investment and ensures you understand any legal responsibilities that come with the building.
This survey is carried out before buying a property usually one that is built before 2000, to check if there are any asbestos containing materials present.
A pre-purchase survey helps you understand
- Whether asbestos is present
- Where it is located
- What condition it is in
- Whether it will need managing or removing
- The potential cost implications
For commercial buyers this protects you from unexpected liabilities and for residential buyers the risk is slightly different. Private homeowners don’t have the same duty to manage; however, asbestos can still pose a health risk during renovations.
Asbestos Sampling
Asbestos sampling is the process of taking a small sample of a material to test if it contains asbestos.
A trained surveyor carefully removes a small piece of the suspect material, the sample is sealed in a secure packaging and analysed in a laboratory
The sample is sent to a UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis. The lab will confirm whether asbestos is present, the type of asbestos and the percentage content in the sample.
The results are returned within a short timeframe, and it is included in the asbestos survey report.
Asbestos Removals
Asbestos removals are the controlled process of taking asbestos containing materials out of a building safely and in line with the UK law.
Asbestos does not always need to be removed, if materials are in good condition and not likely to be disturbed, they can often be managed in place.
Removal is typically required when:
- The material is damaged or deteriorating
- Refurbishment or demolition will disturb it
- The risk assessment shows a high likelihood of fibre release
- The material requires licenced removal
Asbestos removal is about safety and legal compliance. It must be properly planned and risk assessed by professionals.
Summary
Each type of survey had a specific purpose. Choosing the right one with Chart Survey Solutions ensures you manage asbestos responsibly and to protect people who work in or use the building.
If you are unsure which survey you need, contact our team here at Chart Survey Solutions, it is always safer to get professional advice.