A Management Asbestos Survey (formerly known as a Type 2 survey) is the minimum asbestos survey required.
What is an asbestos management survey ?
An asbestos management survey is generally referred to as a standard survey. The purpose of this survey is locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in a building. This survey will identify asbestos containing materials which could become damaged or disturbed during normal everyday occupancy and will include any foreseeable maintenance activities. An assessment on the condition of the materials will also be made.
What’s involved with an asbestos management survey ?
Asbestos management surveys can entail some intrusive work and some disturbance. The level of this intrusion will differ between sites. Various factors will apply such as building type, building construction and general accessibility. Our surveyors will inspect all areas of the building, or area required, to locate all asbestos containing materials. This survey will not cause major damage to the building or areas.
A management survey would generally include an inspection of all floors, walls, ceilings, surface levels, within suspended ceiling voids, loft voids, accessible risers etc. The management survey, where required, will involve the collection of suspect samples, followed by the analysis of the samples, to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos. Our surveyors will make every effort to positively identify suspect materials through sampling. All types of suspect materials will be sampled during the survey for confirmation purposes.
As part of a management survey material risk assessments will be undertaken on all suspect materials. The material risk assessment assesses the likelyhood of the material releasing asbestos fibre should it be damaged or disturbed. This assessment provides initial information for the dutyholder to help evaluate and produce a plan for managing asbestos. Asbestos management surveys can cover everyday and simple maintenance work.
However the dutyholder should be aware that where ‘more extensive’ maintenance or repair work is required, a management survey may not provide adequate information to enable the works. More intrusive / destructive investigations may be required in the form of a localised asbestos refurbishment survey. An asbestos refurbishment survey should be undertaken prior to any works which disturbs the fabric of the building.