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It is vitally important that you select the correct level of survey for your requirements. In this article, EMS review the different types of asbestos survey, highlight the differences between the levels of surveys and offer guidance on how to select the right one.
Asbestos was widely used throughout the 20th century in a huge range of construction materials. Due to its versality it was commonly used in construction for its fire-resistance and insulating properties in a range of different materials.
In 1999, legislation was passed in the UK prohibiting the use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). This was followed by the introduction of the Duty to Manage in 2002 which introduced the legal requirement for asbestos surveys in non-domestic properties. The regulations were introduced to minimise the risk of disturbance and damage to asbestos containing materials. Learn more in our guide: ‘When is an asbestos survey needed?’
The legislation states that an appropriate level of survey should be undertaken, which may mean that your property requires different types of surveys at different times.
Prior to the introduction of the HSE’s Guidance Note HSG 264 Asbestos: The Survey there were three types of asbestos surveys in the UK: Type 1 Asbestos Surveys, Type 2 Asbestos Surveys and Type 3 Asbestos Surveys.
HSG264 saw the system revised with the introduction of two new types of survey: asbestos management surveys and asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys. However, the terminology in HSG264 is confusing and the essence of the guidance is that they should be treated as three separate types of survey.
This is reinforced by the UKAS guidance document RG8, which sets out the surveys clearly as three different levels of survey. Therefore, many surveyors, such as EMS, will need to establish what level of survey you require, an asbestos management survey, asbestos refurbishment survey or an asbestos demolition survey.
Each survey is suited to a specific purpose and the straightforward system helps to avoid errors and ensure that regulations are easier to adhere to.
The various surveys will involve different levels of investigation, with some being more structurally intrusive than others, but all are conducted by an expert surveyor and will be followed by a survey report with detailed findings and recommendations.
In some circumstances you may not require a new survey, for compliance purposes you may on require a reinspection to your property.
Asbestos management surveys are conducted to allow safe management of asbestos within your property. The surveys are designed to facilitate everyday occupation and use of a building as well as undertake minor foreseeable maintenance. They are the least intrusive type of asbestos survey and do not usually involve destructive investigation of the structure of the building.
Duty holders are required to locate and assess any asbestos within the property and this is normally achieved by commissioning an asbestos management survey as the first part of the process.
The findings of asbestos management surveys can be collated into an asbestos register for the building or site. The recommendations can also be used to form the basis of the management plan for the site, which is also a legal requirement for duty holders of non-domestic premises constructed pre-2000.
The intention of a management survey is to identify any ACMs which may be disturbed during any normal use and occupation of the building and provide information so that a management plan can be developed.
As a duty holder, the asbestos register and management plan will need to be available to emergency services if required. A suitable survey should also be available to all contractors that may disturb the fabric of the building prior to them commencing works. If the HSE visit they may also request a copy of the asbestos survey and Management Plan.
For more information about surveying commercial properties, read our guide: ‘Asbestos surveys for commercial properties’..
The other category of asbestos survey defined in HSG264 is an asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey. These are broken down into two separate surveys -
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?’.
A refurbishment survey is ‘a fully intrusive survey within a specifically defined scope’. A refurbishment survey is legally required prior to commencement of any refurbishment or renovation work on a property that may disturb the fabric of the building beyond that covered by a management survey. The nature of the survey is to ensure that the planned works will not disturb any ACMs. Refurbishment surveys will be more intrusive than management surveys but will be contained to the area affected by any planned works. It is essential that scope of the planned works is communicated accurately to the surveyor to ensure all areas of work are covered. If any ACMs are found, the work may need to be altered to avoid the ACM or the ACM may need to be removed before work can commence.
Asbestos demolition surveys are the most intrusive form of survey and will access all parts of a structure to identify all ACMs. Demolition surveys are a legal requirement prior to any demolition works to help safeguard the workforce from asbestos exposure. If ACMs are identified, they normally require removal prior to demolition.
An asbestos reinspection[2] [JP3] is a regular inspection (at a minimum of every 12 months) that assesses the condition of ACMs in a building. The survey helps ensure that ACMs retain their integrity and have not been disturbed.
Reinspections are required as part of the ongoing management of a building and are a crucial step in maintaining compliance with regulations as a duty holder.
For all types of asbestos surveys, from demolition to reinspection, EMS can help. We offer all levels of asbestos surveys throughout the UK. If you require guidance on the type of survey you require our expert team can answer any questions.
To book your asbestos survey anywhere in the UK or for helpful guidance, call our team now on 0800 258 1100 , email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form.
