Asbestos Survey – Requirements and Information

When a private or commercial building or structure is examined for the presence of asbestos it is called an asbestos survey. Once a survey has been performed it will result in an asbestos survey report, which will list many details including whether or not asbestos was found, and if so, where it was located.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that was used extensively for over 100 years in the production of many building products. And even though asbestos exposure has been proven to cause mesothelioma and other deadly asbestos diseases, it continues to be used as a component in products today, although typically it is only allowed in small amounts and for specific products. The reason that it can still be used in smaller amounts is because asbestos is not considered a serious health threat unless large amounts of asbestos fibers are inhaled over an extended period of time.

Since asbestos wasn’t banned until the late 1970s, and its use in building products wasn’t ended until the late 1980s, asbestos is still present in many buildings that were constructed prior to this time period. It is found in office buildings, schools, universities, and even homes, most commonly in suspended ceilings, tile floors, pipe insulation, electrical insulation, roofing, and other items. For this reason, asbestos removal is necessary in many situations to eliminate the threat of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Survey Cost

An asbestos survey is most often carried out before and during renovations and demolitions of buildings. It is important to survey buildings because renovations and demolitions can cause asbestos fibers to be released into the air where they can result in mesothelioma and other serious asbestos related diseases. The asbestos survey cost will depend on many factors, but it is mostly dependent upon the size of the building and how much asbestos is present.

Asbestos laws vary from state to state, but in most areas it is required to perform asbestos surveys during any construction project or when there is a major renovation or structural change to a building that contains asbestos products. In these cases, all construction companies, whether large or small, are required to conduct a survey for any demolition projects as well as remodeling jobs. The survey is usually required before any building permit can be obtained.

The Purpose of an Asbestos Survey

The purpose of asbestos surveys is to make sure that no persons are exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is not considered dangerous until asbestos fibers are released into the air. Many things such as sanding, sawing, and cutting can cause these microscopic fibers to be released into the environment, and therefore strict laws are in place to monitor these types of activities. Asbestos survey companies provide a service that makes construction jobs a safer place to work.

The first step in the survey process is to perform asbestos testing. An asbestos test is the only way to verify or rule out the presence of asbestos. Once it has been determined that products containing asbestos do exist in a structure that is being renovated or demolished, the next step is usually to perform asbestos removal. The actual removal job will usually require a team that includes at least one professional in the asbestos field. Once the asbestos abatement process has been successfully completed the construction job can then be performed.

In summary, an asbestos survey is the examination of a building or structure that is performed before renovation, demolition, or remodeling is done. The asbestos survey report will include the exact locations of any asbestos products as well as recommendations for remediation. It should also be noted that in owner-occupied buildings the owner can choose to remove any asbestos products without professional help, but all laws for removal and disposal must be strictly adhered to.