Asbestos Surveys & Consultation

All asbestos surveying and consultations are undertaken in accordance with the standards and the guidelines laid down by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

The asbestos surveys covered below would be discussed and the best option selected for the requirements of the client.

We provide:

• Asbestos Surveying
• Asbestos awareness training
• Asbestos management & consultancy advice
• Tailor-made abatement packages

Management Surveys

The standard survey to locate the presence and extent of asbestos

The Management Survey is the standard survey. Its purpose is to locate the presence and extent of any suspect Asbestos Containing Material (ACMs) within the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including future maintenance/works, and to assess their condition.

The Management Survey will often involve minor intrusive work. The survey will be conducted by means of visual inspection and subsequent sampling of suspect bulk materials. Where the surveyor suspects a material to contain asbestos, a sample will be taken for analysis. The samples taken will be chosen as being representative of the material under investigation.

The Management Survey will cover routine and simple maintenance work. However if more extensive or maintenance work is involved, for example disturbing the fabric of the building, there may not be sufficient information in the Management Survey and a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey will be needed.

Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys

Required before and refurbishment or demolition works are to be carried out

This Refurbishment & Demolition Survey required before and refurbishment or demolition works are to be carried out. Its purpose is to locate the presence and extent of any suspect Asbestos Containing Material (ACM's) within the area of the building where the refurbishment works will take place or in the whole of the building if demolition is programmed.

The Refurbishment & Demolition Survey will be fully intrusive and involve destruction to gain access to all areas. In this type of survey where asbestos is identified, the survey will recommend removal rather than to manage it.

Samples will be taken using a sharp knife, a cork borer, or a hand drill and will be collected in self-seal plastic bags. 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. Photographs will be taken at every sampling location to confirm details. The object of carrying out sampling is 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. If an area cannot be accessed, then it is presumed to contain asbestos.

During the initial site walk around the surveyor will ask questions relating to the building age, usage, history, exclusions, etc. They will at this point draw floor plans (if they have not already been provided); these will not be to scale but will be sufficient in detail for sample point to be identified.

Samples will be taken using hand tools, these are then cleaned of any residue after each sample is taken to prevent any cross contamination occurring. If any samples are required they are double bagged and each bag is clearly labelled.

All contaminated wipes, gloves etc., are double bagged and sealed and labelled for controlled disposal to a licensed tip.