HSG 264 Compliant Asbestos Surveys

Until 2010, there were three types of asbestos survey, all serving different purposes.

They were known as type 1, type 2 and type 3 asbestos surveys.

However, people often found this confusing and consequently, under HSE Guidance Note HSG 264, there are now only two types of asbestos survey, the management survey and the refurbishment /demolition survey.

Type 1 & Type 2 Asbestos Surveys

In reality, all that has happened, is that the type 1 survey, which was also known as a presumtive survey, with little or no sampling involved, has been amalgamated with the type 2 survey, which involved sampling each material suspected of containing asbestos.

The Maintenance Asbestos Survey takes a more sensible approach than a type 2, in that not all suspect materials have to be sampled. It’s also a more sensible approach than the old type 1 survey, since it specifies that certain types of materials should be sampled.

AsbestosSurveys.com has always promoted this middle-ground approach to our clients, ever since we first started trading in 2003 and we welcome the changes to the regulations.

The aim of the maintenance asbestos survey is to locate and identify the  presence of asbestos within the fabric of a building.

This is to help prevent people inadvertently disturbing the material, which may create a health risk to themselves and others. Typically, people most at risk are tradespeople who may have to drill into boards or other surfaces from time to time. This includes plumbers, electricans, data cablers, telephone engineers, etc.

During an asbestos survey, the surveyor will look closely at each aspect of the building with a view to identifying materials suspected as containing asbestos.

Because asbestos was used in such a wide range of building, insulation & fire-protective materials, they can crop in the most unexpected places.

Refurbishment carried out in the past might be hiding other surfaces that contain asbestos and for this reason, the surveyor will need to look into suspended ceiling voids, behind doors and into service risers.

If the asbestos surveyor cannot access these areas, the area will be presumed to contained asbestos.

Also, if it cannot be conclusively proven that certain materials do not contain asbestos, then they too will be presumed to contain asbestos.

All such materials need to be logged and their condition has to be assessed.

It is only possible to confirm or refute the presumption that a material contains asbestos by taking a small sample at or shortly after the time of the survey.

The new regulations mean that the surveyor now has to sample certain materials where presumption of asbestos presence could cause the duty holder  inconvenience or additional expense later.

This is where the experience of the asbestos surveyor really counts, because sometimes, it is more logical and appropriate to sample a meterial in order to rule out the presence of asbestos than it is to confirm that asbestos is present.

Type  3 Asbestos Surveys

These are now referred to as Demolition or Refurbishment asbestos surveys, because they are conducted only when a building (or part of a building) is to undergo refurbishment or demolition.

The aim here is to protect demolition and refurbishment contractors, as well as anyone else involved in a construction project, from accidental exposure to asbestos.

A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify the types of asbestos present in the building and also to calculate approximate volumes of materials involved.

This type of survey is particularly useful for the basis of tendering for the removal of ACMs from the building and as such, the survey does not assess the condition of the materials.

AsbestosSurveys.com is able to project manage asbestos removal contracts and liaise with the contractors on your behalf.

If required, we are also able to prepare tender documents and manage the tendering process for their removal of asbestos on your behalf.

Please see the Asbestos Removal page for more information.

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