What Are Intrusive Asbestos Surveys?
An intrusive asbestos survey disturbs the fabric of the building being surveyed in order to gain access to, and thoroughly inspect, all areas that could accommodate potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). This can involve: holes being drilled into walls, ceilings or floors, as well as walls, wall heaters and toilet cisterns being completely removed.
It is extremely important that the premises are vacant during an intrusive asbestos survey, as disturbing the fabric of a building can damage potential ACMs, causing their harmful fibres to be released into the air – posing a risk of serious health issues for anyone exposed to these fibres.
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What Types of Intrusive Asbestos Surveys Do We Offer?
At Pillars Environmental, we offer two types of asbestos surveys – a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey (also known as an R&D survey, previously referred to as a type 3 asbestos survey) and an Asbestos Management Survey (formerly known as a type 2 asbestos survey).
Out of the two asbestos surveys we offer, the Refurbishment & Demolition Survey is the intrusive type. Whereas, the asbestos management survey requires a much less invasive approach.
“A Refurbishment & Demolition Survey must be carried out by a competent surveyor.”
– Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Refurbishment & Demolition Asbestos Surveys
In order for a building to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey must be carried out on premises that are due to undergo any maintenance, refurbishment or demolition works.
This is because all of the aforementioned construction/demolition projects cause a disturbance to the fabric of the building, within which potential ACMs could lie. Therefore, the aim of an R&D survey is to locate all ACMs and assess their condition, before sending small samples off to an independent UKAS accredited laboratory for microscopic testing which will confirm the presence of asbestos.
Our fully trained asbestos consultants will only ever extract samples in line with HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide.
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Where Can Asbestos Be Found In Domestic Properties?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the common areas asbestos can be found within domestic premises include:
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB) around boiler or fuse box
- Toilet cisterns
- Vinyl floor tiles backed with asbestos paper and bitumen adhesive
- AIB or asbestos cement bath panels
- AIB ceiling tiles or partition walls
- AIB airing cupboard and/or sprayed insulation coating boiler
- Pipe lagging
- Asbestos cement water tank
- Textured decorative coating, e.g. asbestos in artex
- Asbestos loose-fill insulation
- AIB or asbestos cement interior window panel
Where Can Asbestos Be Found In Industrial Properties?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the common areas asbestos can be found within domestic premises include:
- Asbestos rope seals, gaskets and paper
- Toilet cistern
- Textured decorative coatings on walls and ceilings, e.g. asbestos in artex
- AIB panels in fire doors or partition walls
- Asbestos cement water tank
- Asbestos flash guards in a fuse box
- Vinyl floor tiles backed with asbestos paper and bitumen adhesive
- Lagging on boilers and pipes
- Asbestos loose-fill insulation
- AIB ceiling tiles or around boilers
- Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls, beams and columns
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What Happens If Asbestos Is Found?
If the presence of asbestos is confirmed within the samples extracted during the R&D survey, the next step we offer is Asbestos Removal Management.
Our asbestos removal management services provide:
- Building preparation for the asbestos removal works, ensuring compliance and the fulfilment of your unique requirements for your site.
- Management of the tender process, evaluation of quotations and the vetting of asbestos removal contractors based on their experience and compliance.
- The performance of regular site audits to monitor progress and ensure the chosen removal contractors are conducting the works safely.
- Advice on the agreed timescales and costs.
- The production of documentation proving the completion of the removal works to a satisfactory standard.
Intrusive Asbestos Survey FAQs
How long will an asbestos survey take?
No two projects are the same. If your building is an older construction, it may require a more time-consuming method, such as an R&D survey, to thoroughly assess the potential presence of any ACMs. Whereas, if your building is slightly newer, it may only require an asbestos management survey, which requires a less invasive and slightly faster approach.
What is the cost of an asbestos survey?
Asbestos survey costs can vary significantly depending on the individual requirements of your specific building location(s), including: the location of suspected ACMs, any specialist equipment needed, etc.
For a better idea, get in touch with us today for a free quote.
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Areas We Offer Asbestos Surveys
ASBESTOS
SURVEYS
We undertake Asbestos Management Surveys and Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys, both of which are HSG264-compliant…
ASBESTOS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Our Asbestos Management Plans detail how you can manage asbestos in your property, in line with legislation…
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We can oversee Asbestos Removal projects to ensure a thorough, safe and compliant job is being undertaken…