Asbestos survey types
There are two main asbestos surveys, and using the wrong one is a real risk. Here is the difference between a management survey and a refurbishment/demolition survey, and when each is needed.
The two types (HSG264)
HSE's survey guide, HSG264, sets out two survey types for different purposes:
| Management survey | Refurbishment/demolition survey | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Manage ACMs during normal occupation | Find all ACMs before works disturb the fabric |
| Intrusiveness | Generally less intrusive; sampling and minor intrusive inspection where needed | Substantially more intrusive, often destructive; voids and cavities |
| When | Ongoing management of a building in use | Before refurbishment or demolition |
| Occupation | Building can be occupied | Normally in unoccupied areas |
Management survey
A management survey is the routine one: it locates the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during normal occupation and maintenance, assesses their condition, and feeds the asbestos register you manage the risk from. It is generally less intrusive than a refurbishment/demolition survey, but it is not a no-touch inspection: it normally involves sampling, and may involve minor intrusive work — such as lifting accessible panels — where that is needed to cover foreseeable maintenance. Any areas the surveyor cannot access must be recorded and presumed to contain asbestos until they are checked.
Refurbishment/demolition survey
A refurbishment/demolition survey is needed before any work that will disturb the structure. It is substantially more intrusive and often destructive — accessing voids, cavities and hidden areas — and is targeted at the area where the work will happen, so that all ACMs there can be identified and removed before work begins. Because of the disruption, it is normally carried out in unoccupied areas.
Getting the survey done
Both surveys are a job for a competent surveyor, and both are likely to involve sampling; where materials are sampled, analysis should be by a UKAS-accredited laboratory. This all sits under the wider duty to manage asbestos.
Capture and hold the survey — don't leave it in a drawer
Complys lets a competent surveyor capture a survey on site with automatic HSG264 scoring, and digitises reports you already have into a structured, editable register with each material's re-inspection date. It holds and scores the record; the survey, sampling and judgement stay with the surveyor.
Asbestos management software →FAQs
What are the two types of asbestos survey?
Under HSE guidance HSG264: a management survey and a refurbishment/demolition survey. A management survey supports normal day-to-day occupation and maintenance; a refurbishment/demolition survey is carried out before refurbishment or demolition work that will disturb the building fabric.
When do I need a management survey?
For the ongoing management of a building in normal use. It locates the asbestos-containing materials that could be disturbed during routine occupation and maintenance, assesses their condition, and produces the register you manage the risk from. It is generally less intrusive than a refurbishment/demolition survey, but it still normally involves sampling and may involve minor intrusive inspection where needed to cover foreseeable maintenance. Any areas not accessed must be recorded and presumed to contain asbestos until checked.
When do I need a refurbishment/demolition survey?
Before any refurbishment, renovation or demolition that will disturb the structure. It is substantially more intrusive and often destructive — accessing voids, cavities and hidden areas — and is targeted at the area where the work will happen, so that all asbestos there can be removed before work starts. Because of the disruption, it is normally done in unoccupied areas.
Who should carry out the survey?
A competent surveyor. Both survey types are likely to involve sampling, and where materials are sampled, analysis should be by a UKAS-accredited laboratory. Software can hold and score the findings, but the inspection, sampling and professional judgement are the surveyor's.
Related: duty to manage asbestos, what is an asbestos register, and asbestos management software. General information, not legal advice.