Choosing the right asbestos survey for your property can be a daunting task, especially if you are not well acquainted with the various types available. However, it is essential to get an appropriate survey done as it helps in maintaining safety standards and ensures that any potential health risks are mitigated.
Firstly, you need to understand what an asbestos survey is. It is a systematic inspection that identifies and documents the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) within a building. The primary purpose of this survey is to provide enough information so that an asbestos register, a risk assessment and management plan can be prepared.
There are mainly two types of asbestos surveys – Management Survey and Refurbishment & Demolition Survey. A Management Survey aims at managing ACM during the usual occupation and use of premises while ensuring minimal damage or disturbance to ACM. On the other hand, a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey is needed before any refurbishment or demolition work takes place.
To choose which type of survey suits your needs best, consider why you need it. If you’re going to keep using your property without major changes – perhaps it’s your home or business premises – then usually a Management Survey will suffice. This explore further type will identify all the asbestos in your property so you can manage its presence safely.
However, if you’re planning significant refurbishments or even complete demolition, then a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey becomes necessary. This type involves intrusive inspection including destructive inspection as necessary to gain access to all areas including those difficult-to-reach places where ACM might have been used during construction.
The choice between these two surveys also depends on when your building was constructed since buildings built before 2000 in many countries are likely to contain some form of Asbestos material due their popular usage back then for insulation purposes among others.
One should always hire accredited professionals who follow strict guidelines set by relevant authorities while conducting these surveys because they possess adequate knowledge about different types of asbestos and where they might be located within a building structure.
The cost of the survey is another crucial aspect to consider. Different companies offer varying prices for their services, so it’s advisable to get quotes from several sources before making your decision. However, remember that the lowest quote may not always provide the best service or most accurate results.
In conclusion, choosing the right asbestos survey for your property is crucial in ensuring safety and compliance with health standards. It involves understanding what each type of survey entails, considering why you need an asbestos survey, knowing when your building was constructed and hiring accredited professionals who are well-versed with asbestos surveys. With these considerations in mind, you can make an informed decision on which type of asbestos survey is right for your property.
