There Are 3 Types Of Standard Survey For Asbestos Problems
As a building owner or manager you have a legal responsibility to confirm the asbestos status of your building. You must first decide which types of Asbestos survey you need.
There are 3 types of standard survey for asbestos laid out in the health and safety executive guidelines document MDHS 100. These different surveys are suitable at different times and are:
Types 1 Asbestos survey: It is a presumptive survey. The inspector will locate and asses all suspect asbestos-containing materials in your building. No samples will be taken during these types of survey. All areas will be accessed and inspected where reasonably possible, or if not accessible they are presumed or strongly presumed to contain asbestos. An assessment is made on all suspect materials to determine its overall potential risk. The survey will comply with all current regulations, and determine if there is a need for a further survey, which involves sampling.
Types 2 Asbestos survey: It is a sample survey which includes sample taking, analyzing samples, taking photographs and air testing. Samples from each type of suspected ACM are collected and then analysed to confirm if the surveyor was correct in their assessment. If a material is found to contain asbestos, it is assumed that all other similar materials used in the same way in the building will also contain asbestos.
Samples will be taken using a sharp knife, a cork borer, or hand drill and will be collected in self-sealing plastic bags. The surveyor will check the sample to confirm if they were correct in their assessment. The sample reference number will be recorded on the sample bag. Where appropriate, a label will be left on the site adjacent to the sample location. This label indicates the sample number for cross-reference with the report.
Also, photographs will be taken at every sampling location to confirm site details, to identify the nature and extent of any visible asbestos-bearing material, and where necessary air testing may be carried out, to determine airborne repairable fibre levels.
Types 3 Asbestos survey: It is a pre-demolition/major refurbishment survey which requires full access sampling, identification and assessment. The purpose and procedures are like types 1 and 2. A type 3 asbestos survey is designed to locate and describe, as far as possible, all ACM's in a building, and can involve destructive inspection to gain access to all areas.
If you believe you need an asbestos survey for your building but aren't sure, call Reddish Vale and they can quickly let you know if it is necessary.
