Asbestos Audit

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WHAT AREAS DOES AN ASBESTOS SURVEY COVER?

WHAT AREAS OF MY PROPERTY WILL AN ASBESTOS SURVEY CHECK?

The areas covered within an asbestos survey report will depend upon the type of survey (Management/Refurbishment/Demolition) and the remit area of the survey within a property.

Asbestos surveys are designed to identify asbestos within the given area as far as reasonably practicable.

As a basic rule the following applies for Asbestos Surveys -

A Management Survey - This type of survey is non-intrusive. It does not cause any damage to a property but should inspect everywhere in the property unless the client instructs otherwise. As such any suspect materials that are accessible without damage should be sampled or checked for the presence of asbestos. This will include below carpets, within loft voids and any other accessible space.

A Refurbishment Survey - This type of survey will usually cover either the full property or just areas of upcoming refurbishment or intrusive work. The damage will typically be quite extensive and cover all areas likely to be disturbed. The survey should state the areas inspected fully and show the remit area on the site plans to ensure those working on site only interfere with areas that have been fully inspected.

A Demotion Survey - A demolition survey is the most intrusive type of survey or inspection. It will take areas of the building fully to pieces to ensure demolition does not disturbed any form of asbestos. As asbestos can be located deep within a structure the amount of damage is very extensive. The survey will cover all areas of the property due for demolition. Ideally every area of the building should be accessed leaving no areas untouched or hidden.

More on the differences between asbestos survey types can be found here..

Typically when a survey is carried out it will cover every part of a property from the ground up to the roof and any basement or under croft below the building. Alongside the internal survey all external areas including outbuildings, sheds and garages should be inspected for all types of survey unless the client has specified differently.

The only areas an asbestos survey will not inspect are those which could pose a hazard to health (live electrics or those requested by the client. Surveyors will also not check within cupboards, draws or personal furniture items unless requested to by the client.

All asbestos reports should contain enough information to allow for the client commissioning the survey to fully understand what has been checked, what asbestos is present, what areas have not be inspected and what they need to do next. Photos should be included for positive items and these must be marked on a suitable site plan with the relevant data included.

If you have any queries about the areas checked within an asbestos survey or need to have areas of your property checked for asbestos please contact us at info@asbestosaudit.co or one of our regional offices shown below.

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