Asbestos Survey Types
Asbestos Surveys – HSG264 Compliant
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 still three types of asbestos survey, but they have different names to make their purpose & identification easier:
- Management Survey
- Demolition Survey
- Refurbishment Survey
Old Type 1 & Type 2 Asbestos Surveys
In reality, all that has happened, is that the type 1 asbestos 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 Management Asbestos Survey takes a more sensible approach than a type 2 survey, 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, carpenters, 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, they will usually 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.
Old Type 3 Asbestos Surveys
These are now referred to as being either a Demolition or Refurbishment asbestos survey, 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.
The Importance Of Independence
We are not affiliated to or involved in any asbestos removal company and recommend tendering any asbestos removal works.
Some asbestos removal and demolition companies also offer asbestos surveys, but you should remember that in such cases, their impartiality and therefore advice can easily be questioned.
If required, we are also able to prepare tender documents and manage the tendering process for their removal of asbestos on your behalf.
© AsbestosSurveys.com – Asbestos Survey Types