Independent Asbestos Surveys and Management

The document, HSG 264 (published by The Health and Safety Executive), provides detailed guidance on the aims, purpose and types of survey

 The 2 types of survey referred to in HSG 264 are:-

Asbestos (Management) Survey: The purpose of the Survey is to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos containing material in the building and assess their condition. This Survey will usually representative samples of suspect materials that are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos. If the material sampled is found to contain asbestos, other similar homogenous materials used in the same way in the building will be strongly presumed to contain asbestos. Any material, which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos, must be presumed to do so, and where it appears highly likely to contain asbestos, there should be a strong presumption that it does.  

Pre-demolition or Major Refurbishment Survey: This type of Survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all asbestos containing materials in the building and will generally involve more intrusion/destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. This type of survey is best undertaken in vacant buildings.