Asbestos Surveys - Market Leading Asbestos Consultants

What are the types of asbestos surveys?

There are a range of different levels of asbestos surveys and all have their own parameters and are required in different situations. This page discusses why asbestos surveys are important, the difference between the types and levels of survey, how to get guidance on choosing the right correct one.

What's an asbestos survey?

An asbestos survey is the process of locating Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), identifying their exact nature and determining appropriate next steps for their management or removal. They are typically conducted by a trained professional, with the qualifications and experience to identify possible ACMs.

How are the results of an asbestos survey used

The surveyor will then issue you with a detailed report about their findings as well as tailored recommendations for the next steps, whether that is removal prior to refurbishment or demolition or long-term management strategies for ACMs that do not need to be removed.

It is critical that duty holders (building owners/operators and employers etc.) undertake an asbestos survey to identify and manage the risks of asbestos in properties in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012. They must also keep their asbestos register up to date and ensure annual reinspections as a minimum to ensure materials remain in a suitable condition.

Understanding Asbestos Management Surveys

Asbestos management surveys are the minimum requirement to meet the requirements of the duty to manage. The survey is the least intrusive of the three survey types but is designed to cover all the areas that maybe disturbed during everyday occupation and use of the building including undertaking minor foreseeable maintenance.

The survey should identify and locate any ACMs within areas that maybe disturbed during general use of the building, once the materials have been located a risk assessment on the material will be undertaken. This assessment is called a ‘Material Risk Assessment’ and will give an indication of the likelihood of fibre release should the materials be disturbed.

The findings of the asbestos management survey will be set out in an asbestos register within the report. The asbestos register will make an assessment of the condition and accesibility of the material and will usually make recommendations for future management of the material. The recommendations may include ongoing management, labelling, repair or in some cases removal. The duty holder must consider these recommendations when preparing the AMP.

The asbestos survey report should be made available to all relevant people, this may include employees and contractors on the site, particularly those that may disturb the fabric of the building.

Understanding Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

HSG264 sets out the requirements for refurbishment and demolition surveys; these surveys are more intrusive than a management asbestos survey. The scope of these surveys will be defined by the level of work that is planned.

Asbestos refurbishment surveys fall under the bracket of R&D surveys. You can read more about R&D surveys in our guide: ‘What is an R&D survey?’.

The definition of a Refurbishment Survey is ‘A fully intrusive survey within a specifically defined scope’. The surveys are required prior to beginning any refurbishment or renovation work on a property, to ensure that planned operations will not disturb any unidentified ACMs within the structure of the building. Refurbishment surveys will be more invasive intrusive than management surveys but may be targeted to the area affected by any planned work. If any ACMs are found, they may need to be removed before work can commence to avoid potential disturbance during the works.

Asbestos Demolition Surveys are the most intrusive of the survey types. The survey should cover all areas of the structure or property to be demolished, including those areas difficult to access. A Demolition survey is a legal requirement prior to the demolition of any property.

In most cases asbestos materials will require removal prior to the demolition being completed, to ensure the demolition can be undertaken safely.

Understanding Asbestos Reinspection Surveys

As part of the ongoing management of asbestos materials within a property, there is a requirement to monitor the ongoing condition of the material. An Asbestos Reinspection should be undertaken regularly, the frequency of the inspection will be determined by the type and vulnerability of the material, high risk materials or materials will need reinspecting more frequently. The legal requirement is that materials should be inspected on a minimum of a 12 month basis.

The reinspection should assess the condition of the material and any changes to the environment to ensure the original recommendations are still relevant and the risk to the material hasn’t changed. Reinspections should only be undertaken by competent people.

Get Advice on Which Asbestos Survey You Need

Established in 2003, EMS is an award-winning, accredited asbestos consultancy. With more than 20 years of experience and a team of qualified experts, we are a highly reputable asbestos consultant with a reputation for outstanding service quality and client care.

EMS are accredited for all levels of asbestos surveys from Reinspections through to Demolition Surveys.

If you are unsure of the level of survey you require our expert team would be pleased to discuss your project with you and advise you on the best way to proceed.

To book your asbestos survey in Worcester, the surrounding area or anywhere in the UK or for helpful guidance, just call our team now on 0800 358 1100, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form.

PROFESSIONAL ASBESTOS SURVEYORS throughout THE UK

EMS is one of the UK’s leading asbestos surveying consultancies, and have established offices across the country, including Hereford, London, Cardiff and Worcester.

We also have in in-house asbestos testing laboratory based in Cardiff.

This broad selection of locations and team of highly qualified surveyors and consultants based throughout the country allows us to provide national coverage of the UK.

EMS have a ISO9001:2015 certified quality system covering all company activities.

EMS are also multi-award-winning for professional services and customer service.

Asbestos Surveys: What you need to know

What is the current law on asbestos surveys?

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), it’s the responsibility of the ‘duty holder’ of any non-domestic premises to locate and assess any asbestos containing materials within the property. Any areas or materials that cannot be surveyed or sampled should be presumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise. In most circumstances this requires a management survey to be undertaken by a competent surveyor.

What Is HSG264?

Published by HSE, HSG264: The Survey Guide, is an extensive document outlining the different types of surveys, when they are required and what is involved with each level of survey. It also sets out the criteria to select a competent surveyor and also the information that needs to be provided to the surveying company to ensure the correct scope of survey is undertaken.

What are the types of asbestos surveys?

As noted in HSG264, there are three main types of asbestos surveys: asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys. Asbestos Management surveys are the most common, often undertaken for compliance purposes, and are used to identify ACMs and devise next steps in terms of monitoring & management, maintenance or removal. Asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys are designed to identify ACMs prior to any demolition or refurbishment work.