The first stage in any project is to assess the building to gather the extent of the potential asbestos problem. The type of survey will depend on what the building is being used for, it could be a visual Type 1 survey, a non-evasive Type 2 survey or a Type 3 pre-refurbishment/pre-demolition survey.
The purpose of the Type 1 Asbestos survey is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos in the building and assess their condition. This asbestos survey essentially defers the need to sample and analyze for asbestos (or the absence thereof) until a later time (eg prior to demolition or major refurbishment).
The duty holder (building owner) bears potential additional costs of management for some non-asbestos-containing materials. All areas should be accessed and inspected as far as reasonably practicable (eg above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts, etc) or must 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 used in the Type 2 Asbestos Survey are the same as for Type 1 asbestos survey, except that representative samples are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos. Samples from each type of suspect asbestos found are collected and analysed to confirm or refute the surveyors’ judgment.
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.
The number should be sufficient for the surveyor to make an assessment of whether asbestos is or is not present. Sampling may take place simultaneously with the survey, or as in the case of some larger asbestos surveys, can be carried out as a separate exercise, after the asbestos type 1 survey is complete.
The Type 3 Asbestos Survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all asbestos in the building and may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible asbestos and to estimate the volume and surface area of asbestos made.
The Type 3 Asbestos Survey is designed to be used as a basis for tendering the removal of asbestos from the building prior to demolition or major refurbishment so the asbestos survey does not assess the condition of the asbestos, other than to note areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be expected to be present.
