Surveys are conducted in accordance to HSE guidelines as stipulated in the MDHS100. There are three categories of survey:

Type 1

Asbestos location & assessment survey. This is a presumptive survey which essentially defers the need to sample or analyse for asbestos. It meets with your legal duty to formulate a suspected asbestos register and is typically the kind of survey used on newer or extensively refurbished buildings that are less likely to contain asbestos materials.

Less costly in the short term than other types of survey, duty holders should be aware that any ‘presumed’ materials need to be strictly managed thereafter, indeed prior to any work being conducted that might effect these materials, samples would need to be obtained. Often this can work out the more expensive and restrictive form of surveying approach if used on an inappropriate structure.

Type 2

The same purpose and procedures as Type 1 except that representative samples are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos to confirm or refute the surveyor’s judgment. Material condition is assessed and scored so as to give the duty holder a priority list in terms of where management action is most required. These surveys require laboratory analysis of the samples, (National Surveying use only UKAS accredited labs) which incurs additional costs but generally in the long term this is the most cost efficient approach to structures that pre-date the total ban on asbestos that was introduced in November 1999.

Type 3

Full access sampling surveys are classed as Type 3’s, they are required prior to demolition or refurbishment and involve intrusive and destructive sampling techniques which basically means gaining access to areas not usually accessible - such as cavity walls, enclosed risers and voids created during construction etc…

They are conducted so as to ensure that prior to demolition or refurbishment all such materials are removed in accordance with current legislation by properly certified or licensed contractors.

Re-inspection Surveys

Many companies and organisations have had asbestos surveys conducted on their premises but they still may not be meeting with their ongoing management responsibilities. Materials deteriorate over time which can give rise to a greater level of risk where previously there was little or none. Furthermore legislation changes as we become more knowledgably on the subject matter of asbestos all of which can leave the Duty Holder in an exposed position of risk themselves as they may not be managing asbestos in a safe or a prescribed manner.

Re-inspection surveys are a necessity and National Surveying can provide are-inspection service that not only will audit your initial report but update it in accordance with the very latest legislative guidance.