Carrying out routine & daily asbestos surveys for a large selection of domestic & commercial clients throughout Glasgow and the central belt of Scotland. Our basic asbestos services can start from just £65.00 + VAT for UKAS testing & analysis of suspect materials and we can deliver your asbestos survey reports within 48hrs.

The survey can be carried out as a stand-alone task, either concurrently with or following the study and recording of other elements of the building fabric (see Box 4). In particular, fundamental limitations in the surveyor’s approach must be examined in order to define the precise processes that must be included (see Box 1). For larger surveys, there should be a post-occupancy phase that refers back to a sheet-by-sheet approach to the building. This must involve rigorous inspection of as much as possible of the building’s accessible space, including under all floors, above all drop ceilings, and in all risers, service ducts and lift shafts. Working at the elemental level, it’s important to understand that the presence of any building element doesn’t intended to convey intent, only its discovery or reconstruction It will be necessary to carry out minor, localised, intrusive surveys to explore any areas that won’t be exposed in a basic reconnaissance. The extent of such a more invasive inspection will depend on the presumption that, at some point, part of the building needs to be broken open for maintenance or new installations. The surveyors should be equipped to reach these areas, and prepared to do so with the minimum of fuss, using simple tools such as screwdrivers and chisels. The survey must clearly state any areas where it proves impossible to inspect, and these must be presumed to contain asbestos, and this presumption must be recorded clearly in the survey report. Such asbestos presumptions will need to be managed until further notice: for instance, work in or near the affected areas must be kept to a minimum.

 Box 4 emphasises that ‘It is the objective of the survey to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) insofar as it is possible to do so. It includes the inspection of various locations as specified below: under floor; above false ceilings; in service ducts and other similar unseen areas’.

 But most management surveys are concerned with ongoing, regular and straightforward maintenance work. For works of a more complex maintenance or repair nature, a management survey alone will not necessarily provide reliable information covering the building or when surveys were last carried out. Where a piece of work is likely to disturb or affix to the building’s structure for the first time in a previously unsurveyed part of a building, a targeted refurbishment survey will be required. It is down to the duty holder to determine whether they need to commission a refurbishment survey. They may need help in reaching this decision when it comes to work that might disturb the building fabric in areas that are not covered by the initial survey.

MANAGEMENT SURVEY (FORMERLY TYPE 2 ASBESTOS SURVEY)

Minimal intrusion, our survey identifies and locates the presence of ACMs in a commercial building at the most basic level. It is used to assess the condition of ACMs and provides a risk assessment for any disturbance.

Survey on Asbestos Management

 The traditional way to detect ACMs and the extent of the risk is by means of a management survey that indicates the presence of suspect ACMs that might be disturbed in the normal course of use, and as documented in an asbestos register that will form part of the Management Plan. Usually, a qualified person will try to identify suspect materials as closely as possible.

 Such management surveys might involve some degree of intrusion and might cause disturbance. The nature and the extent of the intrusion will vary according to a range of pragmatic considerations (the specific nature of the building, the type of its construction, access, etc.). Such surveys include a trained judgment on the state of the ACMs and their potential to release fibres if disturbed, and so provide a first indication of how ACMs might be best managed.

 These surveys typically require the collection of samples followed by laboratory analysis to confirm either their presence or possible absence. Alternatively, the presence or possible absence of asbestos alone may be assumed. The survey could require sampling waste, possibly combined with either presuming or confirming the presence of ACMs. All presumed ACMs must be assessed as to their condition.

 If ACMs are presumed to be present, this delays the need for sampling and analysis until such time as they are required, ie, on the cusp of beginning work. The management regime operating under this first option includes an assumption that ACMs might be present. This assumption has implications in terms of additional management costs of materials presumed to be ACM but which subsequently turn out (by direct analysis, say) not to be, and it also necessitates the selection of specific contractors and work methods in keeping with any requirements for CAR 2012 regulations, regardless of whether or not the presumed-present material actually is ACM. By contrast, if we wait until we think it is appropriate to test or analyse materials, and then ascertain the presence of ACMs, our actual choice of work methods and contractors may be constrained by those that are compatible with asbestos, should we have established its occurrence. It is evident that presuming asbestos may reduce decisions made on work methods or contractors available to carry out specific works of maintenance. Presuming asbestos could lead to delays, increased management complications, and ultimately the removal and disposal of presumed ACM, when these materials were actually non-ACM types, and their removal would have been otherwise avoidable. This is particularly relevant in the context of smaller, or simpler, properties.

 Where it is feasible: surveyors should accurately and unambiguously identify ACMs, taking adequate samples to affirm that ACMs are present and extent where possible. There is nothing wrong with presuming materials are ACMs ‘in the absence of strong evidence to the contrary’. However, it makes sense to avoid default presumptions which would complicate the asbestos-management process. These should be confined, wherever possible, to the clients’ request, or where access is genuinely ‘severely restricted’.

 When the geosampler comes through, we also collect samples of different types of suspected ACM and send them to the lab, and the discovery of Chrysotile (a variety of asbestos) in one sample of tile leads to a presumption of the material being there in similar materials all over the building. Less consistent materials call for the sampling of more materials to determine if asbestos is present, just to be sure.

REFURBISHMENT & DEMOLITION SURVEYS (FORMERLY TYPE 3 ASBESTOS SURVEY)

Before any work can take place to refurbish or demolish a building, a refurbishment and demolition survey must be completed. This is used to identify and locate all ACMs in the property. Full access internally and externally is required for completion. Please note, this type of survey is intrusive and may cause damage.

ASBESTOS TESTING OF SUSPECT ASBETOS MATERIALS (ACMS)

All our Asbestos surveyors are trained to identify/work with asbestos materials, write up legal asbestos reports & registers and advise on what actions you should take to ensure the safety of those who might be exposed to asbestos whether it is found in your home or workplace.

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