Asbestos management survey
Asbestos Management Surveys in London
Identify and record asbestos-containing materials that may be encountered during normal occupation and routine maintenance, so the dutyholder can build and maintain an effective asbestos register and management plan.
What a management survey is for
HSE identifies the management survey as the survey route used to support ongoing asbestos management during normal occupation and use. Its purpose is to help the dutyholder identify relevant asbestos-containing materials, record their condition and use the information to maintain an asbestos register and management plan.
A management survey is not the correct substitute for a refurbishment or demolition survey where planned work will intrusively disturb the building fabric.
Typical survey scope
Accessible building areas
Rooms, corridors, stairs, basements, ceiling voids, risers, ducts, loft spaces and other areas relevant to occupation or foreseeable maintenance.
Condition and priority
Known or presumed ACMs are recorded with information that supports risk assessment, monitoring and decisions on management or remedial action.
Sampling where appropriate
Representative sampling may be used to confirm suspect materials, with analysis undertaken by a competent accredited laboratory.
Restrictions and inaccessible areas matter
HSE warns that unnecessary restrictions can seriously reduce the usefulness of a survey. Areas that cannot be inspected should be clearly identified. Where relevant, uninspected areas may need to be presumed to contain asbestos until they can be properly assessed.
That is why survey planning should establish access, building use, maintenance activities, drawings where available and any previous asbestos information before the site visit.
Who may hold the duty?
For non-domestic premises and common parts of multi-occupancy domestic premises, responsibility can sit with the building owner, landlord, occupier or another party depending on contractual responsibility for maintenance and repair. A managing agent may assist, but the legal duty itself is determined by the underlying responsibilities and control.
What happens after the survey
- Review the report and any limitations.
- Create or update the asbestos register and building plan.
- Assess the risk from identified or presumed ACMs.
- Record the management actions, monitoring and communication arrangements.
- Provide relevant information to anyone liable to disturb asbestos.
Primelinks coordinates the commercial process; survey work is routed to suitably competent asbestos professionals for the required scope.
Need an asbestos management survey in London?
Send the property type, approximate age, floor area, current asbestos records and any access constraints.