Asbestos R&D Surveys

A refurbishment survey is required where intrusive refurbishment or maintenance is planned. Surveyors intrusively access and inspect the parts of the property affected by the planned works, which is why a specification or detailed summary of works is needed at planning stage. A demolition survey covers everything due to be demolished, including the structure itself, and is fully intrusive. In both cases the surveyor reviews existing documentation, completes a walkaround, then inspects and samples throughout. Priority assessments are usually not required, because everything found in the affected areas is going to be removed.

Any area that cannot be accessed has to be presumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise. On a refurbishment or demolition project that means revisits, additional cost and delay to the programme. Survey planning is not administration; it is the thing that keeps the project on schedule.

Surveys scoped against your actual works programme rather than against the building as a whole, so the intrusive effort goes where the project will disturb.

Refurbishment and demolition survey areas are usually required to be vacant. Occupied areas, areas under construction, concealed locations not shown on plans, and anywhere posing an immediate risk to surveyors will normally be excluded until safe access is established.