surveying

The purpose of the survey is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in the building and assess their condition. This survey essentially defers the need to sample and analyse for asbestos (or the absence thereof) until a later time (e.g. prior to demolition or major refurbishment). All areas should be accessed and inspected as far as reasonably practicable (e.g. above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts, etc.) or much be presumed to contain asbestos. Any material which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos must be presumed to contain asbestos and where it appears highly likely to contain asbestos, there should be a strong presumption that it does. All materials which are presumed to contain asbestos must be assessed.

The purpose and procedures of the survey is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in the building and assess their condition. Representative samples are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos. Samples from each type of suspect (ACM) found are collected and analysed to confirm or refute the surveyor?s judgement. If the material sampled is found to contain asbestos, other similar homogeneous materials used in the same way in the building can be strongly presumed to contain asbestos. Less homogeneous materials will require a greater number of samples.

Provide an experienced surveyor or team of surveyors to carry out a Type 3 survey with the objective to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, all suspect Asbestos Containing Materials. This may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas. All areas where safe access can be maintained will be accessed as part of the survey and inspected. No disturbance of suspected Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) would occur, thus any areas behind suspected ACM?s would not be inspected as part of the survey. A representative sample of each incidence of suspected ACM would be taken and be deposited with out in-house UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis. Where homogeneous materials are located throughout a building a visual identification will be carried out for repetitive occurrences.

If potential ACMs are visually located or suspected to be present, but cannot be sampled for accessibility or safety reasons, then they will be reported, photographed and risk assumed as containing asbestos. Some areas may require further sampling during demolition or major refurbishment as they become apparent.

All of the above types of surveys would be undertaken by a team of at least two surveyors as per guidance of Health and Safety document MDHS 100 (Building surveys and Bulk Sampling for Asbestos). All of our surveyors are also qualified to British Institute of Occupational Hygienists standard P402.

Once the survey has been undertaken a hard copy colour report would be produced including the following:

• Survey brief
• Techniques
• Limitations (Including areas of no access)
• Survey summary
• Sample summaries
• Recommendations
• Risk Band Analysis
• Sample data sheets including risk assessments and digital photographs (Including both material & priority assessments)
• Marked-up drawings if supplied in A3/A4 format
• Analytical certificates