ASBESTOS SURVEYS

 " Our asbestos registers protect workers from the dangers of exposure to asbestos".

Type 1 Asbestos Survey

The surveyor will conduct a thorough survey of the inside and outside of the building to identify possible asbestos containing materials.

Normally, this will involve looking into floor and ceiling voids, service risers, boiler rooms as well as any populated working areas.

The survey does not involve taking samples (unless agreed in advance) of materials, but because of the CAWR regulations, he or she must presume that certain materials or areas contain asbestos unless proven otherwise, or there is strong evidence to suggest that the material does not contain asbestos.

In simple terms, this means that many materials will be assumed guilty until proven innocent.

Photographs will be taken of all suspect materials and will be logged in a site survey report.

Although this is the least expensive survey type, you should consider the potential consequences of presuming that a material contains asbestos - please see the testing page for more information about the potential for cost savings.

The scope of all surveys is discussed fully with the client before commencement of the survey and a good surveyor will usually agree to take samples of materials that might be of particular concern.

In other words, a type 1 survey can in some circumstances, include sampling where it is agreed and considered appropriate.

Type 2 Asbestos Survey

This type of survey is the same as a type 1, except that samples will be taken of each suspected material for laboratory analysis.

This means breaking or cutting off very small samples of things like pipe or boiler lagging, ceiling & floor tiles, mastic sealants, roofing felts from inconspicuous areas.

The survey takes considerably longer than a type 1 survey and consequently costs more money.

However, you should consider the longer term future savings and peace of mind afforded by a type 2 survey.

It is often better to know that a material does not contain asbestos than to presume that it does - and unfortunately, the CAWR regulations state that all non-tested materials suspected of containing asbestos must be presumed to do so.

The report presented following a type 2 survey will contain the laboratory results of each tested material, providing you with a useful document that can be used to instruct maintenance workers or contractors to work safely on your premises.

Type 3 Asbestos Survey

This type of survey is undertaken prior to major refurbishment or demolition works.

The aim is to identify and record possible asbestos containing materials and record estimates of the volumes and surface areas affected.

Full sampling and testing is always undertaken and the information from the survey, if asbestos is discovered, is used as a basis for tendering for the removal of asbestos which in the majority of cases must be undertaken by licensed removal companies. (See asbestos removal).

Unlike the type 1 and type 2 surveys, the type 3 asbestos survey does not record the condition of the asbestos for pre-demolition and major refurbishment work, other than to note where additional asbestos debris might be expected to be present.