| The new asbestos survey guide, HSG 264, which | | | | surveys may involve minor intrusive work and some |
| replaces the existing guide for the surveying, sampling | | | | disturbance.The extent of intrusion will vary between |
| and assessment of asbestos containing materials in | | | | premises and depend on what is reasonably |
| commercial and domestic properties (MDHS 100) has | | | | practicable for individual properties. Factors include it |
| been released. | | | | the type of building, the nature of |
| The key areas to be aware of are summarised | | | | construction,accessibility etc. |
| below: | | | | Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys which replace |
| Competence | | | | the current Type 3 surveysThese surveys will be |
| It is the duty holder's responsibility to ensure that they | | | | used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably |
| appoint a competent organisation or person to | | | | practicable, all ACMs in the area where the |
| undertake the asbestos survey. In practice, this means | | | | refurbishment work will take place or in the whole |
| requesting references with respect to previous survey | | | | building if demolition is planned. The survey will involve |
| portfolios undertaken and ensuring that the organisation | | | | destructive inspection as necessary, to gain access to |
| or surveyor appointed is accredited or certified by a | | | | all locations, including those that may be difficult to |
| third party. Organisations can demonstrate that they | | | | reach. Refurbishment work may vary from relatively |
| are technically competent to undertake surveys for | | | | small to large projects. Small scale work may occur in |
| asbestos containing materials (ACMs) through | | | | different parts of a building at different times over |
| accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020. Individual surveyors can | | | | several years. A full sampling programme is |
| also demonstrate that they are technically competent | | | | undertaken in these areas to identify possible ACMs |
| to undertake specified surveys through holding | | | | and to obtain estimates of the volume and surface |
| ‘personnel' certification from a Certification Body | | | | area of the ACMs present. The survey is primarily |
| accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation | | | | designed to identify ACMs so that they can be |
| Service) for this activity under ISO/IEC 17024. The | | | | removed in preparation for the refurbishment or |
| Duty Holder should not appoint or instruct an | | | | demolition. |
| independent surveyor to carry out a survey unless the | | | | Survey Restrictions and Caveats |
| surveyor is competent. | | | | The value and usefulness of the survey can be |
| Types of Survey | | | | seriously undermined where either the client or the |
| In the new Survey Guide, there will be two | | | | surveyor imposes restrictions on the survey scope or |
| classifications of asbestos survey, not three as | | | | on the techniques/methods used by the surveyor. |
| there are currently. | | | | Information on the location of all ACMs, as far as |
| Management Survey which replaces the current Type | | | | reasonably practicable, is crucial to the risk |
| 1 and Type 2 SurveysThis is the standard survey that | | | | assessment and development of the management |
| should be carried out for the continued management | | | | plan. Any restrictions placed on the survey scope will |
| of asbestos in premises. The purpose of the survey is | | | | reduce the extent to which ACMs are located and |
| to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the | | | | identified, incur delays and consequently make |
| presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the | | | | managing asbestos more complex, expensive and |
| building and assess their condition. Sampling is the most | | | | potentially less effective. Survey restrictions and |
| common approach that has been used for surveys. | | | | caveats can significantly undermine the management |
| However, a management survey can also involve | | | | of asbestos in buildings. They should be included only |
| presuming the presence or absence of asbestos. A | | | | where absolutely necessary, and should be fully |
| management survey can be completed, using a | | | | justified. Most can be avoided by proper planning and |
| combination of sampling ACMs and presuming ACMs | | | | discussion. They MUST be agreed between the Duty |
| or, indeed, just presuming. Any materials presumed to | | | | Holder and the Surveyor and documented in the |
| contain asbestos must also have their condition | | | | survey report. |
| assessed (i.e. material assessment). Management | | | | |