What is an asbestos survey?

• A. A regulatory permit required for demolition
• B. An environmental impact assessment for asbestos disposal
• C. An assessment to locate and characterize asbestos-containing materials in a building, including condition and approximate quantity
• D. A financial audit of asbestos abatement projects

Answer: (C)

An asbestos survey is an assessment to locate and characterize asbestos-containing materials in a building, including their condition and approximate quantity. This is crucial for managing asbestos risk because it shows where ACMs are, what form they’re in, and how likely they are to release fibers if disturbed. With that information, property managers, engineers, and contractors can plan safe maintenance, renovations, or removals, apply appropriate control measures, and stay compliant with safety regulations. A survey is usually done by trained professionals who visually inspect, take material samples for lab analysis, and document findings in a report that lists locations, materials, quantities, and condition. There are different survey types, such as a management survey for ongoing risk and a pre-work survey for planned projects that may disturb materials.