Type 1, 2 & 3 Asbestos Surveying

Regulation 4 is a duty to manage and requires that a suitable and sufficient assessment is made of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in non-domestic premises. An asbestos survey conducted by qualified, competent persons is often the most suitable and effective method of locating and identifying ACMs in a building. It is also a major step towards having an effective and legally compliant management plan. In an initial consultation with us we can recommend a suitable strategy and, if required, the type of survey you may require.

Type one: Location and assessment survey

(presumptive)

Type 1 surveys are designed to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, any ACMs and assess the risk and are used when sampling is not a suitable option. All areas of a building are accessed (not just a walk through) but as materials are only presumed to contain asbestos they rely heavily on the experience and knowledge of surveyor.

Type two: Standard sampling, identification and assessment survey

(sampling survey)

The purpose and procedures of a type 2 survey are as for a type 1 survey but includes the sampling of suspect ACMs to confirm the surveyors judgement. The samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory and the resulting report informs exactly which materials in the building are or are not asbestos containing. This is the most commonly utilised survey for asbestos management plans and can be carried out as an additional exercise after a type 1 survey.

Type three: Full access sampling and identification survey

(pre-demolition/major refurbishment survey)

Type 3 surveys are used to locate all ACMs, as far as reasonably practicable, within a building and its structure and may involve destructive inspection techniques. These surveys are designed to estimate quantity of asbestos rather than condition to allow tendering of asbestos removal prior to demolition or refurbishment.

On some larger sites a mixture of the above survey types can be used if different parts of the site have varying requirements. All our surveying staff are qualified to P402 and S301 as a minimum and our consulting staff are qualified as Certified Competent Persons in Asbestos.