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Asbestos Surveys

Assist Facilities Management Ltd provides three types of asbestos surveys depending on the level of survey requiredby the client. The definitions are as provided in the draft MDHS 100 for Surveying and Assessment of Asbestos Containing Materials in Premises for Management Plans.

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Type 1 Location and Assessment Survey (Presumptive Survey)

The purpose of this survey is to locate, as far as is reasonably practical, any suspect asbestos containing materials in a building and assess the risk. The survey essentially defers the need to sample and analyse for asbestos until a later time (e.g. prior to demolition or major refurbishment). The client bears potential additional costs of management for some non-asbestos containing materials. All areas must be accessed and inspected (e.g. above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts etc.) or presumed to contain asbestos. Any materials which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos, must be presumed to contain asbestos and where it appears likely to contain asbestos, there should be a strong presumption that it does. All materials which are presumed to contain asbestos must be assessed to determine the relative risk that they may present.

Type 2 Standard Sampling, Identification and Assessment Survey (Sampling Survey)

The purposes and procedures used in this survey are the same as for type 1, except that representative samples are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos. Samples for each type of suspect asbestos containing materials found, are collected and analysed to confirm or refute the surveyors judgement. If the material is found to contain asbestos, other similar homogeneous materials used in the same way in the building can be strongly presumed to contain asbestos. Other less homogenous materials and some materials which are non-asbestos will need to be sampled more frequently to confirm whether asbestos is present or not. Sampling may take place simultaneously with the survey, or as is the case with some larger surveys can be carried out as a separate exercise, after the type 1 survey is complete.

Type 3 Full Access Sampling and Identification Survey (Pre-Demolition / Major Refurbishment Surveys)

This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as is reasonably practical, all asbestos containing materials in the building and may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible asbestos containing areas and estimates of the volume and surface area. The survey is designed to be used as a basis for tendering for the removal of asbestos containing areas from the building prior to demolition or major refurbishment. The survey does not assess the condition of the asbestos other than to note areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be expected to be present.