Most asbestos inspections come down to one question: is anything about to be opened up, removed or knocked down? If not, you need to know what’s there and its condition. If so, you need to know what’s inside the parts being worked on.
Management survey: the building is in use
This is the standard inspection for a building in normal use. The inspector finds, as far as reasonably practicable, any material that could be damaged or disturbed by everyday use, maintenance or small jobs, and samples what they suspect.
- Minor intrusion: small samples, accessible voids lifted
- People can carry on working or living there
- You get a register with locations, results, scores and actions
Refurbishment and demolition survey: work is about to start
Needed before any work that disturbs the fabric of the building. It covers only the area being worked on, but fully: floors lifted, walls and ceilings opened. Employers must not start work that could expose people until they know whether asbestos is there, or assume it is.
- Fully intrusive in the work area
- The work area must be empty during the survey
- You get a list of what must be removed before work, and where
When one sample is enough
You can’t tell asbestos by looking. If one thing worries you, such as a textured ceiling, an old floor tile or a panel behind a radiator, the inspector can take a small sample, seal the spot and send it to the lab. A single result tells you about that material only, so it doesn’t replace a survey if you have a duty to manage or a bigger job planned.
Not sure which inspection fits your building? Call 020 3386 1854 and you’ll get a fixed quote in writing before anyone visits.
