Tool-Up Asbestos Solutions have a team of BOHS qualified asbestos surveyors who undertake Type 1, 2 & 3 Asbestos Surveys. Past survey experience ranges from the survey of entire local authority estates including schools, offices, town halls, industrial buildings, community centres etc. to Ministry of Defence assets such as air bases and underground bunkers. Any of our offices can provide a quotation for a Type 1, 2 or 3 survey of anything from a garden shed to a national property portfolio. On completion of the survey, our staff are available to explain the findings and offer advice. This can range from discussions with potential purchasers on the cost implications of the survey to assisting property managers with the compilation of asset management plans.

Unsure of the difference between a Type 1, 2 & 3 Asbestos Survey?

Type 1 Asbestos Survey -Location and Assessment Survey

The purpose of this survey is to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable, any suspected asbestos containing materials and assess the associated risk. This survey involves the visual identification of materials likely to contain asbestos and defers the need for sampling until a later date. As a result, some non-asbestos containing materials may be identified and presumed to be asbestos when carrying out the material risk assessment. Although there will be no samples taken, all parts of the premises will be inspected in accordance with the Scope of Work. A typical survey will include inspections above false ceilings, inside risers, service ducts and lift shafts. Certain Type 1 surveys may be limited to accessible areas due to site restrictions e.g. building occupied with persons at time of survey. The report will detail areas within the building where access was not granted due to restrictions in gaining entry. This survey is a visual only, therefore, inspections by destructive nature to the property will not occur.

Although Tool-Up Asbestos Solutions will undertake Type 1 surveys at the request of the client we generally advise against a Type 1 and recommend a Type 2 as the minimum standard.

Type 2 - Standard Sampling, Identification and Assessment Survey

The purpose of the Type 2 Asbestos Survey is to identify as far as reasonably practicable, asbestos containing materials within a building with view to managing the risk to health that these materials may present whilst continuing occupancy of the premises. The survey includes a room-by-room inspection of the building and the collection and analysis (by a UKAS accredited laboratory) of representative material sampling for the presence of asbestos. In addition to the identification of all asbestos materials, the survey will include estimates of quantity and condition of the materials found. The level of investigation shall be established prior to commencing the survey based upon factors limiting access, for example, ceiling cavities may not be accessed above occupied desk spaces due to potential asbestos dust from the tiles overhead. Locations not accessed while conducting the survey will be clearly defined at the beginning of the asbestos report. Any areas, which could not be accessed, should be assumed to contain asbestos containing materials until proven otherwise. This survey is not a destructive survey and will not involve inspection by destructive means.

Type 3 -Full Access Sampling and identification Survey

The Type 3 Asbestos survey includes a room-by-room inspection of each building included in the Scope of Work, in conjunction with the collection and analysis of representative samples for the presence of asbestos. This survey is a destructive survey. Walls, ceiling voids, floor cavities and all other non-accessible areas of the building shall be accessed by destructive means. The purpose of this survey is to identify all asbestos containing materials; in the building as far as reasonably practicable.

The sampling and inspections procedures will involve the use of intrusive equipment to gain access to areas, which would be otherwise difficult to inspect. In addition to the identification of all ACMs, the survey will include estimates of the volume and surface area of these materials found. This type of survey is Intended for use as an aid to tendering for the removal of asbestos materials prior to demolition or major refurbishment of a building and therefore, the material risk assessment criteria provided within the report may be ignored In premises where a partial staged refurbishment is planned, a Type 3 survey would be required to include material risk assessments, the recommendations of which should be adopted for those areas of the building not immediately subject to major refurbishment or demolition.