So what is a Demolition Survey?

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A ‘Demolition Survey’ is needed before any demolition work is carried out.

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There are various reasons a particular survey is required and this type is specific, it is what is required prior to the demolition of a building. It may be that you are applying for a 'Demolition Order', in which case the directive will require as a condition of the order that a 'Asbestos Demolition Survey' is carried out before any works demolition works commence.

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This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACM's in the whole building or buildings demolition is planned. The survey will be fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach.

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There is a specific requirement in CAR 2012 (regulation 7) for all ACM's to be removed as far as reasonably practicable before major refurbishment or final demolition.

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Under the 'Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2003' (CDM), the survey information should be used to help in the tendering process for removal of ACM's from the building before work starts.

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The survey report should be supplied by the client to designers and contractors who may be bidding for the work, so that the asbestos risks can be addressed.

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In this type of survey, where the asbestos is identified so that it can be removed (rather than to ‘manage’ it), the survey does not normally assess the condition of the asbestos, other than to indicate areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be present. However, where the asbestos removal may not take place for some time, the ACM's’ condition will need to be assessed and the materials managed.

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Demolition surveys are intended to locate all the asbestos in the building so that it can be removed safely before the buildings are dismantled / demolished.

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The Demolition Survey is a disruptive and fully intrusive survey which needs to penetrate all parts of the building structure.

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The use of aggressive inspection techniques are needed to lift carpets and tiles, break through walls, ceilings, cladding and partitions, and open up floors.

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In these situations, controls should be put in place to prevent the spread of debris, which may include asbestos.

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Demolition surveys should only be conducted in unoccupied areas to minimise risks to the public or employees on the premises. Ideally, the building should not be in service and all furnishings removed.

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There may be some circumstances where the building is still ‘occupied’ (ie in use) at the time a ‘demolition’ survey is carried out. For example in the educational sector, refurbishment/demolition surveys may be conducted in schools or colleges during one closure period (eg holidays) and the work not undertaken until the next holiday period.