Need an asbestos survey for your property?

What Can You Expect from an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is a systematic process designed to identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building or structure. Here's what you can typically expect from such a survey:

1. Initial Consultation: Before the survey begins, we will discuss the scope of the survey, the type of survey required (Management or Refurbishment or Demolition), and any specific concerns or requirements you might have.
2. Site Inspection: A qualified asbestos surveyor will visit your property to carry out a thorough inspection. This involves visually examining all accessible areas, including ceilings, walls, floors, and even behind fixtures and fittings, to identify potential ACMs.
3. Sampling: If the surveyor identifies potential ACMs, they will take samples for analysis. This involves carefully removing a small portion of the material and sealing it in a labelled airtight container. The sampling process follows strict safety protocols to prevent asbestos fibre release.
4. Laboratory Analysis: The collected samples will be brought back to our UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis. Here, the samples will undergo a detailed examination to determine the type and concentration of asbestos fibres, if present.
5. Detailed Report: Once the analysis is complete, you will receive a comprehensive asbestos survey report. This report will include:
   • An executive summary of findings.
   • Sample Datasheets including Photographs of all suspect materials.
   • A material risk assessment for each identified ACM.
   • Recommendations for managing or removing the asbestos.
   • Asbestos register
   • Detailed floor plans highlighting the location of ACMs.
6. Asbestos Register: For management surveys, the report will often include an asbestos register. This is a living document that lists all identified ACMs in the property, their condition, and recommended actions. It should be updated regularly, especially if ACMs are removed, encapsulated, or if their condition changes.
7. Advice and Guidance: We will not just hand over the report and leave you to it. They will offer advice on the next steps, whether it's managing the identified ACMs, planning removals, or implementing an asbestos management plan.

The answer to this will really depend on what you are looking to use asbestos information for.

There are three types of asbestos surveys -

Asbestos Management Survey - These surveys are used to identified asbestos materials within a property where you are looking to safely manage asbestos. This is usually the first step towards compliance under the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic properties.

The purpose of these surveys is to locate the presence, extent and conditions of suspect asbestos containing materials which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance.

This survey will often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance, including the collection of suspect asbestos samples. This survey is not adequate if you are planning any intrusive or destructive refurbishment or upgrades which can include major maintenance works.

Asbestos Refurbishment Survey - As the name suggests, these surveys should be undertaken prior to any refurbishment, intrusive upgrades or major maintenance works.

The purpose of these surveys is to locate the presence and extent of suspect asbestos containing materials where refurbishment works are planned to take place. This can be specific areas or the whole building. These surveys are completed in line with your proposed refurbishment scope of works. A key element of getting the right asbestos refurbishment survey is having a detailed and confirmed scope of works for what you are planning for your refurbishment.

These surveys are intrusive and destructive in nature and will cause damage to areas where refurbishment works are planned. These surveys can only be undertaken in unoccupied areas.

Asbestos Demolition Survey - As the name suggests, these surveys should be undertaken prior to the demolition of a building or part of it. Demolition in these terms means the complete dismantling or removal of a building.

The purpose of these surveys is to locate the presence and extent of suspect asbestos containing materials where demolition will take place.

These surveys are fully intrusive and destructive in nature and will cause significant damage to the building which can leave locations irreparable. These surveys can only be undertaken in unoccupied areas and in most cases can not be reoccupied after.

This depends on a number of factors. When determining how much an asbestos survey costs some factors such as the type of building, the use of the building, the size of the building (square metre/square foot) and the age of the building need to be considered.

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It is not a legal requirement to have an asbestos survey. However, it is a legal requirement to "manage asbestos" in all non-domestic premises. This is detailed under Regulation 4, Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises - Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012.

Asbestos surveys have an important role in assisting you with safely managing the asbestos within your building. They are usually considered the first step towards managing asbestos. To effectively manage your asbestos and prevent people from damaging or disturbing it, you first need to know where it is, what extent it is and what condition it is in. An asbestos survey will provide this information.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) strongly recommends the use of UKAS accredited asbestos surveying organisations.

If a company is not UKAS accredited it is the person employing the company responsibility to check they are competent to complete their work.​

How you can check surveyor competence?​

Is there sufficient training, qualifications and experience?​

• Training – proven time served in the field training​
• Qualifications - CCP Asbestos, BOHS P402, RSPH Surveying​
• Experience - proven time served in the field carrying the surveys out – UKAS businesses is a minimum of 6 months full time surveying – usually longer because of the audit process (5 per category – Domestic, Commercial, Industrial)​
• References – for similar work types ​

Do they hold knowledge of the specific tasks and risks?​

• Can they prove knowledge of similar types of surveys within similar building types?​

Can they prove independence, impartiality and integrity?​

• Policies in place? How is this checked?​ Does the company undertake asbestos removal, if they do, are the asbestos surveyors impartial? Does the asbestos surveyors recommendations sway towards asbestos works being needed if the company offers removals themselves?

Do they have an adequate quality management system?​

• Robust systems in place? How are these checked?​

Can they confirm adherence to HSG 264?​

• Can they prove their surveying technique and reports are in line with the HSG 264 survey guide?​

Can they prove continuing professional development?​

• Refresher training​

Survey checks in place?​

• Do they have a robust auditing system in place for management systems and surveys?​

Survey reinspections in place?​

• Proportion of properties to be reinspected – 5% minimum in UKAS organisations​

An asbestos management survey completed to the required standard should only need to be carried out once. Taking into account that all areas/ locations have been accessed and taking into account any restrictions placed on to the original survey. Where areas/locations have not been surveyed, further inspections maybe required.

As part of your ongoing asbestos management, information including your asbestos records and drawings should be regularly reviewed and as a minimum every 12 months.

Any identified or suspected asbestos material must be inspected and its condition assessed periodically, to check that it has not deteriorated or been damaged. The frequency of inspection will depend on the location of the ACMs and other factors which could affect their condition. These condition checks are usually referred to as Asbestos Reinspections.

Asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys should be undertaken as and when information is required to enable the proposed works.

Ideally, asbestos surveys should be undertaken when an area is unoccupied. This is particularly important whilst undertaking asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys.

Usually, asbestos management surveys can be undertaken during normal occupancy. However, sampling of suspect materials should be undertaken whilst that specific area is unoccupied.

No, you don’t. All our surveys are fully inclusive of an unlimited number of samples. We take as many samples needed during the survey at no additional cost to you.

All the surveyors at Acorn Analytical Services have been trained to the highest industry standards and hold one of two possible qualifications:

BOHS P402 – Buildings Surveys and Bulk Sampling for Asbestos or
RSPH Level 3 – Certificate in Asbestos Surveying qualification

They also all have several years of experience in carrying out the different types of asbestos survey in a wide variety of premises. As well as asbestos qualifications and competence here is a guide to additional qualifications and resources held by the Organisation.

High Level Access – whatever the height we’re trained to get to it, safely.

• IPAF Operator 3a & 3b
• PAMMA Mobile tower

Confined Space Access – we’re trained to get into hard to reach areas, safely.

• Confined Space Entry (with Escape Sets)
• Confined Space Rescue

Construction Skills – we’re trained to work safely on any premise.

• CSCS Cards
• CITB Training

We've implemented an appropriate quality system as evidenced by our UKAS accreditations:

• Asbestos Surveys (ISO 17020)
• Laboratory Testing of Asbestos Samples (ISO 17025)
• Full details of our accreditations can be viewed here - Inspection Body & Testing

Our quality department rigorously audit our team members to ensure standards are maintained at all times. This gives you the client the reassurance that all of our team meet all of the requirements of the asbestos regulations. This is independently verified through our UKAS accreditation.