Asbestos Surveys

MDHS 100 Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials, which is published by the HSE, describes the 3 types of survey that can be undertaken. It also details areas of best practice and the types of asbestos containing material (ACMs), which may be found within premises. ABP carry out all three types of building surveys in accordance with MDHS 100 (currently under revision).

Type 1 - involves a visual inspection of all accessible parts of the buildings to record the location and assess the risk from ACMs. Suspect materials are not sampled but are recorded as being “presumed” to contain asbestos.

Type 2 - this is the level of survey required in order to adequately manage asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in a cost effective manner. A visual inspection of all accessible parts of the buildings is carried out to record the location and assess the risk from ACM. Suspect materials are sampled in order to confirm or refute the asbestos content.

Type 3 – it is the level of survey required when a building, or part, is due to be demolished, refurbished or has any building work take place within it. The level of inspection is far more intrusive than with a Type 1 or 2 surveys, and the survey techniques may be far more destructive.  This type of survey can not normally be carried out in an occupied building.

Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys
Once the initial survey has been conducted and ACM identified the management plan may recommend that the ACM are left in situ possibly because they are in good condition and or are relatively inaccessible and therefore present a low risk. The management plan would then recommend that these ACM are monitored over time with regard to the risk they present. This would be undertaken in the form of re-inspection surveys at regular intervals. Such surveys comprise a visual inspection of the ACM and a risk assessment in order to determine any remedial action required.