Did you know that all non-domestic properties that were built before the year 2000 are required by law to have an asbestos survey in place?

What Type of Asbestos Survey do I Need?

Asbestos Survey

In most cases, the type of survey you need will be either a basic asbestos management survey or a demolition/refurbishment survey.

Asbestos Management Survey

The law states that all non-domestic properties that were built before the year 2000 must have an asbestos management survey. An AMS is a non-intrusive, visual inspection of your property. This survey accounts for general day-to-day use of a property as well as maintenance.

Once the survey is complete, the report will detail if asbestos is present. If asbestos were present within the property, the survey report would provide details of the type of asbestos, its condition and location. The survey report will advise about remedial action. You are required by law to protect the public, employees or contractors from being exposed to asbestos by drawing up a management plan.

Refurbishment / Demolition Asbestos Survey

If a property is due to be upgraded, refurbished or demolished, it is a legal requirement to have a refurbishment/demolition survey.

This could include having new equipment installed or knocking down walls, removing windows or doors etc.

A demolition survey doesn’t have to survey the entire property. It is only the area getting demolished that needs to be surveyed.

When a property is undergoing a refurbishment/demolition survey, the property must be vacant if possible. A demolition survey requires the surveyor to use much more intrusive methods such as breaking through walls and ceilings and lifting floor coverings. The property will undergo a thorough inspection before it gets refurbished or demolished.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I get asked a lot of questions about asbestos surveys, so I have compiled a list of the most common questions I get asked below, followed by the answer. If you have a question that is not answered below, please ask your question by filling in the form at the bottom of this page, and I will do my best to answer it for you.

How Much Does an Asbestos Survey Cost?

The cost of the survey depends on a combination of factors. These factors include the age of the property, its size and how many rooms it has.

How Often do I Need an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos management survey will be enough as long as you follow the instructions outlined in the asbestos management plan. If you plan to have work done on the property, you will need to have a refurbishment / demolition asbestos survey carried out before any work begins.

What is an Asbestos Management Survey?

The control of asbestos regulations 2012 states that if a non-domestic property was built before the year 2000, it has to have an asbestos management survey. Samples of materials will be taken, and the property will be visually inspected for signs of asbestos.

What is a Refurbishment / Demolition Asbestos Survey?

A management survey is the minimum required survey you need to stay compliant with the law. But, if you plan to do work that exceeds a management survey, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires you to have a more in-depth survey. A more thorough survey would mimic the type of work you intend to carry out on the property. A detailed survey can be invasive, and it requires putting holes in ceilings and walls to get access to the construction materials of the property.

Resources for professionals – Survey Guide