What is an Asbestos Survey?

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were widely used in UK buildings until 1999, when all forms of asbestos were finally banned. If your building was constructed or refurbished before that date, there is a realistic chance it contains asbestos somewhere.

An asbestos survey is a systematic inspection carried out by a qualified surveyor to locate and assess ACMs. Its purpose is to produce a written record — an asbestos register — that tells you what is present, where it is, what condition it is in, and what risk it poses.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), duty holders responsible for non-domestic premises must manage the risk from asbestos. A survey is almost always the first step.

A management survey is the standard survey required during the normal occupation and use of a building. Its purpose is to locate — as far as reasonably practicable — ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during everyday activities such as minor repairs, maintenance, and the fitting of shelves or cables.

The surveyor will inspect accessible areas and take samples where ACMs are suspected. The results feed into an asbestos register that must be kept up to date and made available to anyone working on the building.

When is it needed? For any non-domestic premises built before 2000, a management survey (or equivalent survey information) is a legal requirement before maintenance or refurbishment work begins. Landlords and managing agents of residential blocks of flats also have a duty to manage.

A refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey is more intrusive. It is required before any work that will disturb the building fabric — such as a full or partial refurbishment, an extension, or demolition.

Because the surveyor must access areas that will be disturbed, an R&D survey is fully intrusive: panels are lifted, floors boards removed, and bulk samples taken. It identifies ACMs in all areas that will be affected by the planned work.

The area surveyed is typically vacated during inspection, because the process itself may release fibres.

When is it needed? Before any major refurbishment or demolition on any part of a building that may contain asbestos. This includes domestic properties where contractors will be engaged.

Surveys should be carried out by a competent surveyor. UKAS-accredited laboratories and surveyors who hold the P402 qualification (or equivalent) are widely recognised as meeting the required standard.

For management surveys in straightforward premises, a qualified surveyor from an asbestos consultancy is usually sufficient. For R&D surveys, or where significant ACMs are suspected, commissioning a UKAS-accredited body provides an additional layer of assurance.

All AsbestosIndex-listed surveyors are verified HSE-licensed contractors.

You will receive a written survey report containing: • A site plan marking the location of all identified ACMs • Photographs and sample analysis results • A risk assessment and priority score for each item • Recommendations — usually: leave undisturbed, encapsulate, or remove

The report forms the basis of your asbestos management plan. For management surveys, the plan typically means monitoring and managing ACMs in place. For R&D surveys, identified materials must be removed by an HSE-licensed contractor before work begins.