Inspection to the agreed scope
Locating, as far as reasonably practicable, suspect ACMs in the areas and to the depth the survey type requires.
Services
Asbestos surveys
Shams Environmental carries out management and refurbishment & demolition surveys of UK premises, so dutyholders and project teams have a clear record of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Every survey is carried out to HSG264 and issued as a PDF.
Survey types
Which survey do you need?
HSG264 sets out two survey types for different jobs. A management survey is not enough before building work starts — if you are unsure, tell us about the work and we will advise.
| 01 / ManagementManagement survey | 02 / Project worksRefurbishment & demolition survey | |
|---|---|---|
| When it is needed | For a building in normal use, so asbestos can be managed during occupation and routine maintenance. | Before refurbishment, alteration, fit-out or demolition work that will disturb the building fabric. |
| Area covered | Accessible areas of the premises, including those reached during foreseeable maintenance. | The areas affected by the planned work — or the whole structure before demolition. |
| How intrusive | Minor intrusion only: lifting ceiling tiles, opening service risers and similar. | Fully intrusive. Walls, floors, ceilings and voids are opened up where needed to reach hidden materials. |
| Occupancy | Carried out while the building stays in use. | The area surveyed should be vacated, as the inspection can itself disturb materials. |
| What you get | A register of ACMs with condition and material assessments, to support your asbestos management plan. | The ACMs the work will meet, located and described so they can be dealt with before work starts. |
Survey services
What every survey covers.
Whichever type you need, the survey follows the same sequence — inspect, assess, sample where needed, and issue a record you can act on.
HSG264 material scores
Condition assessment and material assessment scoring — the potential for fibre release if a material is disturbed.
Accredited laboratory analysis
Sampling coordinated with accredited laboratories, with analytical certificates kept alongside the issued report.
Issued PDF for the register
Limitations written into the report so it reflects what was actually seen, then issued as a fixed version.
What a survey includes
- A scope agreed in writing before anyone attends site — the survey type, the areas covered and any known access limits.
- Management surveys: inspection of accessible areas to locate suspect ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed in normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance.
- Refurbishment & demolition surveys: intrusive inspection of the areas affected by the planned work, to locate ACMs the work could disturb.
- Condition assessment and HSG264 material assessment scores (potential fibre release if disturbed).
- Sampling coordinated with accredited laboratories, with analytical certificates kept alongside the issued report.
- Survey limitations written into the report so the register reflects what was actually seen.
- An issued PDF version suitable for the asbestos register.
What it does not include
- Priority assessment — occupancy and disturbance remain the dutyholder’s to combine with this record.
- A full asbestos management plan, or a guarantee that concealed materials have been found outside the agreed scope.
- Asbestos removal or remedial work. The survey tells the contractor what is there; it does not remove it.
Materials
Why these materials are surveyed.
Surveys look for products that occupancy, maintenance or planned works could disturb. The photographs are illustrative, not named client sites.
Start a conversation
Need an asbestos survey?
Send the site address, building type and the work you are planning. We will help you choose the right survey and agree the scope in writing before anyone attends site.
For a quotation, or for the accreditation and insurance details your tender requires, get in touch directly.
Request a survey