New survey names now introduced to assist the Client/ Duty Holder in understanding the purpose of the survey and to help them select the most appropriate survey for their needs. Name changes also designed to promote management of asbestos.

• Type 2 = Management Survey
• Type 3 = Refurbishment or Demolition Survey

Better liaison between surveyor and duty holder before survey goes ahead to ensure accurate and useable survey information.

Surveyor to Obtain From Client:

• Details of buildings or parts of buildings to be surveyed and survey types
• Details of building(s) use, processes, hazards and priority areas
• Plans, documents, reports & surveys on design, structure and construction
• Safety and security information: fire alarm testing, special clothing areas etc
• Access arrangements and permits
• Contracts for operational health and safety issues

Client/ Duty Holder Should Expect from Surveyor:

• Surveyor I.D, qualifications, accreditation, certification status, quality control procedures
• References from previous work
• Insurance (Professional Indemnity Cover)
• Costs
• Proposed scope of work
• Plan of work including any plans for sampling and asbestos disturbance/ Timetable
• Details of caveats
• Report, including areas not accessed/ surveyed

Changes to Survey Scope

 

Management Survey

• Management Survey to be more comprehensive and better planned
• Suitable for continual use/occupation of building
• Should survey all accessible areas (Inside risers, service ducts, above suspended ceilings/ voids, walls, ceilings, pipework, boilers, lift shafts)
• Any areas not inspected must be presumed to contain asbestos
• Not sufficient for renovation or refurbishment of building areas
• Used to facilitate ongoing management of ACMs

Refurbishment or Demolition Survey

• Necessary in areas where refurbishment is due to be carried out (Management Survey alone not sufficient)
• Can be small (localised) or large scale
• Used to locate all ACMs in all areas (Wall cavities, structural locations, ducts, risers, tunnels, under floor tiles)
• Likely to involve destructive means of access

All areas in a Management Survey (that it is reasonably practicable to inspect) should be accessed and if not, must be pre-determined by client. Any such areas will be presumed to contain asbestos and should be managed as ACMs.

Client / Duty Holder should be satisfied that a surveyor is technically competent to carry out the work required and has appropriate qualifications, expertise and track record. Guidance includes:

• Accreditation of organisations (I.e. UKAS)
• Individual surveyor competence (P402/5, ABICS, Minimum 6 months experience)
• Track record and experience logs
• If none, look at companies Quality Control and Assurance

Survey caveats are a burden to asbestos management and by better planning can be significantly reduced or eliminated. This will improve survey accuracy and quality.

• Can be avoided by proper liaison
• Present problems to DH for managing asbestos and should be minimised
• If necessary then fully justified and agreed between client and surveyor
• Must be detailed clearly in survey reports

Further advise for the client/ duty holder to verify they are being provided with thorough survey information.