Asbestos Surveys UK
The main purpose of managing asbestos is to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that no one can come to any harm from asbestos on the premises. In particular, it is to prevent the inadvertent exposure to ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) by workers who can disturb the fabric of the building during maintenance, refurbishment/repair, installation and related activities. These workers currently represent the most significant group dying from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases (~1000 deaths in 2006).
The surveyor must be competent to carry out the work required. To be competent, the ‘surveyor’ must:
ARK Environmental Services Ltd surveyors have training and experience in all aspects of survey work including survey planning, resources, technical specification, quality control and ACM assessment criteria. ARK Environmental Services Ltd asbestos surveyors have a knowledge of asbestos products, their nature, uses, hazards, and also knowledge of building construction, construction methods, fire protection and the various uses of buildings. ARK Environmental Services Ltd Surveyors are aware of the different forms of building construction (eg system build, traditional, industrial etc) and how construction techniques affect asbestos use. Our surveyors also have knowledge of the use of ACMs in fire protection systems and the effect of building services on the distribution and location of ACMs. For example: It is essential that the surveyor collects all the necessary relevant information to ensure that the survey is completed efficiently, effectively and safely, and that it meets the client’s requirements. The information should be gathered as early as possible to enable thorough planning. The ideal situation would be to arrange a preliminary site meeting and have a walk-through inspection. This is essential for large and complex premises. However, pre-survey site visits may not always be possible (eg small surveys where the cost of a second visit outweighs advantages or where there are multiple premises (eg chain stores) and it is not practical to visit them all). In such situations the information will need to be gathered through other means (eg by correspondence such as phone/e-mail/post, or by a preliminary meeting and walk-through immediately before the survey). Accurate plans of the building(s) and the floor layout should be obtained at this stage where possible. Building plans should be used for complex premises. The plans should contain the main features of each room, corridors, stairs etc. The plans should be marked with unique floor and room numbers to help identify individual locations. The plans should be checked for accuracy and completeness. If plans are not available, an accurate drawing of the premises will need to be made by the surveyor before the survey starts. In some premises (eg small/ uncomplicated), a simple drawing showing the salient features may be sufficient. In other situations, more detailed drawings will have to be made. These plans will be used to refer to and record the position of any suspect material and the location of any samples taken for identification. The plans should also be used to locate and record any sensitive or restricted areas and hazards.
Types of Survey: Management Survey
This is the standard survey that should be carried out for the continued management of asbestos in premises. The purpose of the survey is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building and assess their condition. The survey will primarily involve sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or absence of ACMs. This is the most common approach that has been used for surveys.However a management survey can also involve presuming the presence or absence of asbestos. A management survey can be completed using a combination of sampling ACMs and presuming ACMs or, indeed, just presuming. Any materials presumed to contain asbestos must also be assessed (ie material assessment). The Management Survey requires that the condition of the ACMs and their ability to release fibres are assessed (ie a material assessment). Therefore for a Management Survey, the following information should be obtained and recorded for each ACM or presumed or suspect ACM:• asbestos product type(s)• location of the material(s)• extent (or quantity) of the material(s)• asbestos type(s)• accessibility and/or vulnerability of the material(s)• amount of damage or deterioration; and surface treatment (if any).
Types of Survey: Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys
This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned. The survey will involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all locations, including those that may be difficult to reach. Refurbishment work may vary from relatively small scale to large projects. Small scale work may occur in different parts of a building at different times over several years. A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible ACMs and estimates of the volume and surface area of ACMs made. The survey is primarily designed to identify ACMs so that they can be removed in preparation for refurbishment or demolition. Refurbishment and Demolition surveys do not require information on the condition of the asbestos so only information on the following is necessary for each ACM or presumed or suspect ACM:• asbestos product type(s)• location of the material(s)• extent (or quantity) of the material(s)• asbestos type(s)