What thought crosses your mind when you hear the term survey? Is it the poll you take at the end of a long customer service call? Maybe it’s the questionnaire you filled out at the doctor’s office last week. Whatever your definition, a survey is simply a tool used to collect data.
The Asbestos Management Survey (AMS) identifies and assesses the risk of asbestos exposure in buildings. Sure, it might involve a bespectacled building inspector poking around your attic or office space with a flashlight. But still, the AMS is an important step in ensuring your and your employees’ safety. And once they detect the presence of asbestos, you can ring up your go-to professionals for Asbestos Removal In Los Angeles California | ARLA– especially if you’re considering renovating or demolishing a part of your building.
Ideally, the goal is to identify materials containing asbestos and the risk of damage to such materials. And by assessing their condition, inspectors can help you develop a plan to mitigate the risk of exposure. That aside, only trained and certified professionals should conduct asbestos removal to avoid further damage or exposure.
Why is the Survey Relevant?
You’re probably aware of the danger asbestos fibers pose to your health, but you might not know that asbestos is still present in many buildings today. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 3,000 products containing asbestos are in use today.
While asbestos was once heralded for its fire-resistant properties, we know that exposure to its fibers can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Besides, the average Joe can’t tell asbestos from other materials just by looking at it. That’s why the AMS is critical. Moreover, asbestos-containing materials are not always in plain sight – they could be tucked away in insulation, flooring, or even painted surfaces.
Simply put, an AMS helps identify asbestos-containing materials. The survey provides the only way to ascertain the risk of exposure.
What to Expect During and After the Survey
First off, the AMS is conducted by trained professionals – not any Tom, Dick, or Harry with a clipboard. As such, you can expect them to take all the necessary precautions to avoid disturbing any materials that may contain asbestos fibers. For instance, California asbestos regulations allow only licensed and accredited hazard evaluation specialists to collect air samples for asbestos fibers. That said, here’s what a typical survey involves.
Inspection
The survey usually involves a visual inspection and sampling of materials. As such, a surveyor inspects all the areas of your building that may contain asbestos. This includes HVAC systems, flooring, insulation, walls, risers, ceilings, and other materials used during building construction. This implies what might appear like plasterboard or concrete could contain asbestos fibers, which could be deadly if inhaled.
During the visual inspection, the inspector assesses the condition of such materials. They also take samples of suspect materials for analysis in a laboratory. Such analysis may confirm or rule out the presence of asbestos. That said, some surveys tend to be more intrusive than others depending on the following:
- The type of building and its age
- Level of risk involved
- Materials used to construct the building
- Accessibility
You can expect the survey to take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. So, it’s safe to assume that a disruption in business operations is likely during this time.
Risk Assessment
AMS also includes material risk assessment. At a basic level, this entails looking at the type of material, its condition, and how likely it is to be disturbed or damaged. All of these factors contribute to the risk of exposure. By gathering such information, the inspector or surveyor can develop a plan to mitigate the risk of exposure.
Reporting and Management
After completing the survey, you’ll get a report detailing the findings. This report typically includes information on the type and amount of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) found and their condition. Also, the report provides recommendations for asbestos management.
An asbestos management plan generally involves the removal or repair of ACM – this is where an asbestos removal firm comes in. The plan may also call for regular monitoring to minimize the risk of exposure.
The materials in question pose little risk if they do not disintegrate or get damaged. But, if they’re in a state of disrepair, you’ll need to take action to avoid the release of asbestos fibers into the air.
If you think your home or office may contain asbestos, schedule an AMS. It could be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major health hazard. And who knows, you might save a life – maybe even yours.
