Asbestos Testing vs. Asbestos Surveys: Are You Sure Which One You Need?

Navigating asbestos regulations can be complex, and choosing the right service is crucial to protect your property and ensure safety. This leaflet outlines the differences between asbestos testing and asbestos surveys to help you make an informed decision. Choosing the wrong asbestos service can lead to unexpected damage, inaccurate information, and additional costs. Before proceeding, please review the options below carefully against your specific requirements.

Asbestos Testing (Bulk Sampling)

Asbestos testing is for situations where you already suspect or presume a material contains asbestos and you need confirmation. This often comes from:

• An older Type 1 asbestos survey

• A health and safety inspection

• A building or homebuyers survey

• Your own visual identification

  
  

What's involved?

Our service focuses solely on the safe collection of bulk samples from the suspected material. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis to confirm the presence of asbestos fibres.

Important Considerations:

• Minor Damage: Collecting a suitable sample may involve a small amount of damage to the material. Our inspectors will make the area safe, but visible marks, typically around the size of a 50 pence coin, may remain, especially with textured coatings like Artex, where multiple samples might be needed. While we'll do our best to fill and match paint, some marks might be visible.

• No Full Inspection: Please note that this service is for bulk sampling only. Our inspectors will not formally inspect your entire premises for asbestos. If you need a comprehensive assessment, please see our survey options below.

  
  

Asbestos Surveys (to HSG 264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide)

The Health & Safety Executive's guidance, HSG 264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide, outlines two primary types of asbestos surveys, replacing previous guidance (MDHS 100 and former Type 1, 2, & 3 surveys). The type of survey needed depends on the building's current use and future plans.

Management Surveys

Purpose: A management survey is required during the normal occupation and use of a building to locate and assess asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during everyday activities, including routine maintenance or installations. The goal is to facilitate the ongoing management of ACMs already in place.

What's involved?

• Minor Intrusion: Management surveys often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance to access areas where ACMs might be present (e.g., under floor coverings, above false ceilings, behind fascias).

• Sampling and Analysis: This survey usually includes sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or absence of ACMs. If one sample from a material confirms asbestos, similar materials used in the same way can be presumed to contain asbestos.

• Occupied Premises: This type of survey can typically be carried out in occupied premises with limited exclusions in public areas.

• Sample Point Labels: Unless otherwise directed, sample point labels will be placed.

  
  

Pre-Refurbishment or Pre-Demolition Surveys

Purpose: These surveys are essential before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. Their purpose is to locate and describe all ACMs in the area where the work will take place (or the entire building if demolition is planned). They may also be required for more intrusive maintenance or repair programs.

What's involved?

• Fully Intrusive and Destructive: These surveys are fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection to gain access to all areas, including those that are difficult to reach. This may involve breaking through walls, ceilings, cladding, and opening up floors.

• Unoccupied Areas: Pre-refurbishment and pre-demolition surveys should only be conducted in unoccupied areas to minimise risks. Ideally, the building should be out of service and cleared of furnishings. For minor refurbishment, this might apply only to the specific room or part of a room, with effective isolation of the survey area.

• Significant Damage: Expect significant and widespread damage to non-asbestos materials and associated mess. Unless specified otherwise, no making good will be carried out, as the area is assumed to be refurbished or demolished.

• Structural Considerations: For full surveys, this aggressive inspection may even result in some structural damage as surveyors access behind walls, service voids, under floors, and above ceilings to identify all ACMs.

• Prior Management: Even with these surveys, the management of ACMs must still be included in the survey report before any foreseeable works begin.

• Scope Limitation: You can limit pre-refurbishment surveys to specific rooms, areas, or elements (e.g., bathroom boxing) by specifying this in writing at the quote stage.

  
  

Information to Provide for Your Survey

To ensure an accurate quote and the correct survey, please provide the following information:

• Property Details:

  • Description and use of the property (e.g., industrial, office, retail, domestic).

  • Number of buildings, their age, type, and construction details.

  • Number of rooms/spaces and any unusual features (e.g., underground sections).

  • Details of any extensions, adaptations, or refurbishments, including dates.

  • Any installed plant or equipment.

  • Whether it's a listed building or in a conservation area.

• Survey Scope:

  • Type, extent, and scope of survey required (marking details on a site plan is helpful).

  • Whether survey damage needs to be made good (for refurbishment/demolition surveys).

  • How many bulk samples, if to be limited.

• Building Information:

  • Current and previous plans/drawings (including original architect's drawings).

  • Whether premises are vacant or occupied.

  • Details of any previous surveys (Type 1, 2, 3), current asbestos registers, and records of asbestos removal or repairs.

  • Information on possible repairs to ACMs (e.g., pipe/thermal insulation).

  • History of the site (e.g., previously demolished buildings, underground ducts).

• Access and Safety:

  • Any restrictions on access.

  • Special requirements or instructions.

  • Responsibility and arrangements for access.

  • Site-specific hazards (mechanical, electrical, chemical).

  • Responsibility for isolation of services (power, gas, chemicals).

  • Working machinery or plant (including lifts) to be made safe.

  • The location of all services, heating and ventilation ducts, plant rooms, riser shafts, and lift shafts.

• Reporting:

  • Whether photos are to be taken.

  
  

Still unsure which service is right for you? Contact us today to discuss your specific needs. Call our team on 01384 505758 or Get In Touch > Here <.

Check out our new interactive knowledge base here > https://www.blackcountryasbestos.com/ai-asbestos-expert

Choosing the right Asbestos Survey

Article Written By: