AsbestosRoofing.co.uk

Following the publciation of the Health & Safety Executive’s HSG 264 (Asbestos: The Survey Guide), the type 1 asbestos survey is now referred to as the “Asbestos Management Survey.”

For ease of reference for those unfamiliar with the new terminologyu, we have kept all references to type 1, type 2 and type 3 asbestos surveys on these pages.

The type 1 and type 2 surveys are now amalgamated under the one title of “Asbestos Management Surveys,” though we have kept the archive information on both the type 1 and type 2 surveys to demonstrate the differences between a sampling and a non-sampling approach.

A visual survey is all that is required for compliance with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations, as long as you aren’t planning any major refurbishment works on the premises.

Only commercial premises are affected by the asbestos regulations, so private householders do not require a register nor a survey.

During a type 1 asbestos survey, the surveyor requires access to all areas of the building – inside and out, including the roof where possible.

The surveyor will visually identify materials that are suspected of containing asbestos and will photograph such materials for inclusion in the asbestos register.

There is no legal requirement ot test suspect materials, but because the default option for the surveyor is to assume that asbestos is present, there might be occasions where it is recommended that certain things are tested, in order to rule out asbestos presence.

An example would be a suspended ceiling tile, where asbestos is unlikely to be present, but where the assumption that it is present will cause difficulties and extra expense later.

In such a case, the asbestos surveyor will take a very small sample and have it analysed in a laboratory.

If the surveyor were to simply presume the presence of asbestos, then the ceiling would have to be treated as though it was asbestos, leading to maintenance difficulties later on.

Our approach is to take a sensible view and to discuss the sampling strategy at the start of the asbestos survey.

For an instant quotation for a type 1 asbestos survey, please call David Carter on 0121 711 7110 (Mon-Fri 8:30 – 6pm).