If you believe you have an asbestos-containing material (ACM) present within your commercial or domestic property, an asbestos survey is vital to develop a full asbestos management plan to deal with the asbestos safely.
Here at DMD Environmental, we take our responsibility as an asbestos management company seriously, and every survey completed by our experienced team is undertaken exactly as the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) stipulates in their ‘Asbestos: The Survey Guide’ (HSG264).
The surveys we undertake are detailed and identify, as far as reasonably practicable, where asbestos-containing materials are present, and the type of asbestos it is. Enabling us to deliver you a remedial solution. We do not undertake asbestos removals so you can be assured that we act entirely on your behalf, eliminating any conflict of interest when assessing the best solution for you.
The types of asbestos surveys we provide at DMD Environmental under UK legislation include:
Asbestos management survey:
An asbestos management survey is considered the ‘standard’ survey and the purpose of this survey is to manage asbestos-containing materials (ACM) during the normal occupation and use of premises. The survey locates asbestos that could be damaged or disturbed by normal activities, foreseeable maintenance, or by installing new equipment, etc. It involves minor intrusion to make the materials assessment and guides the client to the best next steps.
Asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys:
The refurbishment and demolition survey is required where the premises or part of it needs upgrading, refurbishment, or demolition. The survey locates and identifies all asbestos-containing materials before any structural work begins at a stated location or on stated equipment at a premise. It involves destructive inspection and asbestos disturbance. The area surveyed must be vacated and certified ‘fit for reoccupation’ after the survey.
It is important for anyone in charge of a property or building to ensure it is safe, not just for yourself but for other potential occupants. In fact, under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012, anyone responsible for maintenance of non-domestic premises or Landlord of domestic premises, has a ‘duty to manage’ the asbestos in them. You need an Asbestos Register of materials and an Asbestos Management Plan for dealing with them.
Conducting an asbestos survey can:
- Alleviate the worry for homeowners and proprietors of commercial buildings
- Safely identify and determine the best course of action if it is found
- Educate occupants on the potential risks for future reference
- Determine the best solution and decipher whether to remove or repair
Our asbestos team here at DMD Environmental is highly trained and has years’ worth of experience inspecting properties and completing surveys, ranging from small dwellings to large industrial sites. If you would like to speak with our knowledgeable team about asbestos surveys, please contact us today at 01603 487777 or submit your enquiry on our contact us page.
Management surveys are known as the industry ‘standard survey’, its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence, extent, and condition of any suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy. This can include foreseeable maintained and installation but excludes more extensive works.
These surveys often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance to obtain samples, which are then analysed to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos. Depending on the criteria such as the type of building, the nature of construction and accessibility, etc. the extent of intrusion will vary between premises, and on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties.
Our management surveys include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres into the air if they are disturbed. This ‘material assessment’ gives a practical guide to the priority for managing any ACMs identified, as it will identify the materials that, if disturbed will most readily release fibres. The survey will usually involve sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or absence of ACMs.
A refurbishment and demolition survey must be performed before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out on a premise. These surveys locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the area where the refurbishment work will take place, or in the whole building if demolition is planned. All areas will be accessed as the survey will be fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection as necessary.
The removal of ACMs may also be required in smaller refurbishment situations which involve structural or layout changes to buildings, such as the removal of partitions, walls, or ceilings. In these situations, the Construction Design and Management Regulations require that information such as the type and location of asbestos is made common knowledge in the tendering process so contractors bidding for the work can plan for its removal. Here, the survey report is essential, as it gives bidding contractors the correct information before the work commences.