Asbestos Surveys
Since May 2004 people responsible for non-domestic premises
have needed to know about Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM's) on
their premises, it's location, condition and how to manage it. This
requires each building to have an asbestos management
plan available on site.
Our surveyors have extensive experience, having
initially started within the industry as asbestos operatives,
before progressing through the company. This gives an excellent
level of competence due to extensive on site experience and
insight into where potential ACM's can be found. All are fully
qualified to current industry standards (BOHS P402) and have
experience of surveying anything from a small residential flat
through to large offices and industrial sites that are in constant
use. We offer all types of survey as detailed below and also
the periodic inspections that are required every 6-12 months to
manage the register. All samples are tested at an independent UKAS
Accredited Laboratory.
Management Survey (presumptive)
These are visual inspections only and it must be presumed that
any suspect material contains asbestos, unless there is
strong evidence to conclude that it
is highly unlikely to contain asbestos.
The potential ACM location is photographed and a data
sheet is filled in with regards to material type, extent and
condition. This data is then transferred to the main survey
document. Without laboratory analysis there are still
questions unanswered and the duty holder could
bear additional cost of managing some non asbestos containing
materials.
Management Survey (sampling)
This is the most preferred type of survey carried out as it
provides a laboratory confirmed result. The procedure and cost of
the survey is usually the same as a presumptive
survey but has the additional cost of the samples and the
benefit of their results. The process is the same as in the
presumptive survey but a small sample of the potential
ACM is taken to be tested at a UKAS Accredited Laboratory.
This ensures that only confirmed ACM's are managed and if no
asbestos is found, no management plan is required.
Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
The surveyor follows the same process as for a Managing
Survey but investigation is fully intrusive. If it
is suspected that there may be asbestos under the floor, in the
walls or between layers of the ceiling, the structure must be
opened up to reveal potentially hidden asbestos. This may cause
damage to the fabric of the building but is obviously required if
the building is to be demolished or if the interior design of the
building is going to be changed.
Any additional information required about this regulation is
available by clicking on the HSE web link or a
Step by Step Guide can be found here.