Asbestos, a once-popular construction material, has since been recognized as a significant health hazard. Its durability and heat-resistant properties made it ideal for various building applications, but over time, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure have become too severe to ignore. To ensure safety in buildings that may contain asbestos, asbestos surveys are crucial. These surveys help identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assess the risks they pose. In this article, we will explore the purpose of asbestos surveys, the types available, and why they are so essential.
The Purpose of Asbestos Surveys
The primary purpose of an asbestos survey is to determine whether asbestos is present in a building and, if so, where it is located. This is especially important for older buildings constructed before the 1980s when asbestos use was widespread. These surveys assess the condition of ACMs and evaluate the risk of asbestos fibers becoming airborne, which poses the greatest health threat.
Conducting an asbestos survey allows property owners, employers, and building managers to manage and mitigate the risks of asbestos exposure. Without such surveys, people living or working in a building with asbestos-containing materials may unknowingly expose themselves to dangerous fibers, which can lead to severe health conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Types of Asbestos Surveys
There are different types of asbestos surveys, each serving a specific purpose based on the building’s condition and intended use. The most common types are:
1. Management Survey
A management survey is the most basic and routine type of asbestos survey. It is conducted in occupied buildings to manage and monitor asbestos risk during the building’s normal use. The survey aims to ensure that asbestos-containing materials remain undisturbed, which minimizes the chances of releasing harmful fibers into the air.
During this type of survey, the surveyor will inspect all accessible areas of the building, visually assessing potential ACMs and, in some cases, taking samples for laboratory analysis. This survey typically involves minimal disturbance, making it safe for buildings currently in use.
Management surveys are crucial for commercial properties and other public buildings, where daily operations need to continue without disruption. However, they do not involve destructive testing and may not uncover hidden asbestos in inaccessible areas, such as beneath floorboards or inside walls.
2. Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
A refurbishment and demolition survey is required when a building is being renovated, refurbished, or demolished. Since these activities can disturb asbestos-containing materials, it is vital to ensure that asbestos is identified and removed before work begins. This survey is more invasive than a management survey, as it involves opening up walls, floors, ceilings, and other concealed spaces to check for hidden ACMs.
Refurbishment and demolition surveys often result in the discovery of asbestos in places that would not typically be accessed during the normal operation of a building. Once asbestos is identified, it can be safely removed before the renovation or demolition proceeds. This type of survey is mandatory before any major structural work takes place in buildings that could contain asbestos.
3. Reinspection Survey
A reinspection survey is conducted after an initial asbestos survey has identified ACMs in a building. Its purpose is to ensure that the condition of these materials has not deteriorated over time and to monitor any changes in the asbestos risk. This survey is typically part of an ongoing asbestos management plan, particularly in older buildings where ACMs are being left in place.
Reinspection surveys should be conducted regularly, with the frequency depending on the condition of the ACMs and the level of risk associated with the building. If asbestos-containing materials show signs of damage or deterioration, further action may be needed to repair, seal, or remove the asbestos to prevent exposure.
Why Asbestos Surveys Are Important
Asbestos surveys are not just a legal requirement in many countries, but they are also a crucial aspect of ensuring the health and safety of building occupants. The dangers of asbestos exposure cannot be overstated—prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious respiratory diseases, many of which are life-threatening and may only present symptoms years or even decades after exposure.
The health risks associated with asbestos exposure include:
Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs and difficulty breathing.
Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer, particularly in smokers.
Pleural Thickening: A condition that causes the lining of the lungs to thicken and may lead to difficulty breathing and chest pain.
Given these risks, asbestos surveys play a vital role in identifying potential hazards and preventing exposure before it happens. In many countries, regulations require asbestos surveys before renovation, demolition, or any significant structural work can take place in older buildings.
Watch the video above to learn more about asbestos surveys in Essex!.
