Types of Asbestos Survey: Management vs Refurbishment and Demolition
There are two main types of asbestos survey defined by HSG264 (the HSE’s guidance on asbestos surveys): the management survey and the refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey. Understanding when each type is required is essential for building owners and duty holders who must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
An asbestos management survey is the standard survey for identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during normal occupancy, routine maintenance, and minor repairs. It’s a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises and the communal areas of residential buildings. The survey assesses the condition and risk of any ACMs found and informs the asbestos management plan.
A refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey is required before any intrusive work begins on a building — whether that’s a complete demolition, major refurbishment, or even targeted work like removing a wall or replacing a heating system. R&D surveys are more intrusive than management surveys, as they aim to identify all ACMs in the area where work will take place, including those hidden behind walls, above ceilings, and within service ducts.
The duty to manage asbestos falls on the person or organisation with responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises. This includes commercial building owners, managing agents, and housing associations responsible for communal areas. The duty holder must identify ACMs (typically through a management survey), assess their condition, prepare an asbestos management plan, and communicate the information to anyone who might disturb the materials.
An asbestos management plan should record the location and condition of all known ACMs, set out a monitoring regime (typically annual re-inspections), include procedures for managing ACMs in situ (labelling, encapsulation, controlled access), specify arrangements for informing contractors, and establish emergency procedures for accidental disturbance.
Custodia helps building owners track asbestos surveys, maintain digital asbestos registers, schedule re-inspection dates, and manage asbestos-related actions and remedial works as part of a comprehensive compliance management programme.