Generally it will fall into two categories;
a Management survey or a Refurbishment and/or demolition survey. To find out which of these asbestos surveys would be needed you can contact us!
If you own or maintain none-domestic premises that were built before the year 2000, then it is a legal requirement for you to manage any asbestos containing materials ACM’s that are present. This is usually done by commissioning an asbestos survey from a qualified surveyor. However, there are different types of asbestos surveys to choose from and these are outlined below.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 outlines a duty of care to protect anyone who visits your property. So by having a survey completed you are able to start the process.
If someone is potentially harmed by asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on your premises and you do not have one of the correct types of asbestos surveys in place, then you are at risk of facing potentially serious legal sanctions.
Therefore, to comply with the law, all ‘none domestic’ premises built before the year 2000, require some form of asbestos register or check to ensure asbestos containing materials can be safely managed.
Historically, asbestos surveys were grouped as ‘types’. The types of asbestos surveys available were referred to as ‘Type’ 1, 2 & 3.
The problem was this approach was confusing, and as you can imagine, not only were duty holders and contractors confused, but it lead to mistakes occurring.
However, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 cleared up this issue and now there are just two principal types of asbestos surveys, depending on your plans for a none domestic property.
The basic or standard survey required is known as a ‘Management Asbestos Survey’.
This survey is the basic starting point for all ‘Duty Holders’.
A duty holder is the person legally responsible for ensuring asbestos is managed within a non domestic property.
Domestic properties (other than common areas such as in blocks of flats) are excluded from this ‘management’ responsibility. However, you still need a survey prior to any work being undertaken within a domestic property).
The duty Holder is usually the owner of the property or the tenant responsible for maintenance as defined in the ‘lease’.
The second type of survey recognised by the regulations is a ‘refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey’.
A Refurbishment/Demolition Survey must take place prior to major refurbishment, remedial works or demolition of a premises. Or another words, prior to any work that goes beyond the remit of the original management asbestos survey. Particularly where works are invasive such as new heating systems, windows, ceilings and electrical works.
In addition, a suitably qualified asbestos surveyor is normally required to carry out the survey.
Of the different types of asbestos surveys, this particular survey aims to ensure that the planned work will be carried out by a suitable contractor in the right way, and that no-one will be harmed by working around ACM in the equipment or premises.
The survey area, where possible, should be vacant while the survey takes place as it will involve disturbance of materials and destructive inspection of ACMs.
Completing any type of refurbishment or demolition works without a refurbishment/demolition survey taking place first is potentially a breach of the CAR 2012 Regulations and can result in enforcement action.
Furthermore, In domestic properties, there is also a duty under Regulations 5 & 6 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
When tradesmen attend a property (commercial or domestic) they have to be protected by their employer from asbestos exposure. Therefore, the only safe way to achieve this is by having the appropriate type of asbestos survey and a suitable plan of work.
