Asbestos was regularly used as a type of building material in homes, offices and other buildings from the 1950’s until the late 1990’s. Since its ban in 1999, some building owners needed to have asbestos surveys carried out to ensure the safety of individuals who enter the property.
Asbestos surveys should be carried out by professionals and the purpose of these is to make a ‘materials assessment’ of the property. This should include; finding Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) and recording what it is, where it is and how much there is. Record the asbestos type, how accessible it is, its condition and to sample any ACM if needed.
There are different types of asbestos surveys available and you need to be sure you have the right one carried out, which is why we’ve created this ultimate guide to help you understand how many types of asbestos surveys there are.
What are the different types of asbestos surveys?
Prior to The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, asbestos surveys were grouped as ‘types’ and these ‘types’ were referred to as asbestos survey types 1, 2 and 3. This often leads to confusion and mistakes amongst both contractors and building owners.
Since the implementation of new regulations in 2012, there are now two types of asbestos surveys that are typically used within the UK. Asbestos Management Surveys and Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys.
There are also two other types of asbestos surveys that aren’t widely used but are still necessary for some situations. Re-inspection Surveys and Pre-purchase Surveys. Should you find asbestos in your property before a survey has been conducted, you can see our guide on what to do.
Asbestos Management Surveys
An Asbestos Management Survey is the most common type of survey and is used to locate the presence and extent of any ACM in a property. It allows a building owner or person of control to monitor and manage ACM in their premises.
This type of asbestos survey will normally be conducted via a visual inspection, with a minimum of intrusive work and material sampling where appropriate (our experts may be able to identify ACM without the need of taking samples). The overall objective of a Management Survey is to ensure that where any ACM is present on the premises, they can be managed safely and that no individual is harmed by their continuing presence.
As previously mentioned, it is a legal requirement for any commercial property built prior to the year 2000 to hold an asbestos survey. This survey is indefinitely valid, but if any ACM is found within the property, this will generally need to be re-inspected every 6-12 months.
Refurbishment & Demolition Survey
A Refurbishment and Demolition Survey is a legal requirement when a building (or part of it) is to be upgraded, refurbished or demolished. The purpose of this asbestos survey is to locate and describe all ACM in the area where the refurbishment or demolition is to take place.
These findings are put into a report and this is then used as a tender document for any asbestos removal which may be required. These asbestos surveys are fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas. This allows for a comprehensive report that certifies the site ‘fit for reoccupation’ which safeguards those working on the premises and then ensures work is carried out in the right way accounting for located ACMs.
Re-inspection Survey
If any ACM is found upon completion of a Management Survey, a 6-12 month re-inspection will help ensure your compliance with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
A surveyor will inspect any ACM present and record their condition, tracking any deterioration or differences; this includes updating your existing asbestos records with photos of all ACM. A comprehensive report is then issued, advising where there have been any changes to the condition or risk, and action to be taken. Any existing ACM can also be labelled with asbestos warning stickers during the inspection where appropriate.
Pre-purchase Survey
A Pre-purchase Survey is recommended prior to purchasing a property. Many ‘Homebuyer’s Surveys’ are now including potential ACM within their reports, but will not sample any potential asbestos materials, so a pre-purchase asbestos survey is an important safety precaution prior to purchasing any domestic property.
This survey is non-intrusive so no visible damage is caused to the property. You will receive a comprehensive report detailing the extent and condition of any ACM which could be disturbed during normal occupancy.
How can Blue Star Asbestos help?
With over 10 years in the asbestos industry, you can rely on Blue Star to provide you with an accurate and detailed assessment of any asbestos in your premises. Our surveyors are proficient in surveying all types of buildings, from small domestic dwellings to large industrial and commercial premises.
As well as providing all types of asbestos surveys, we can also carry out asbestos tests and fire risk assessments for properties. If you require any asbestos-related service, you can contact one of our friendly team members by filling out the form below.
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