When you’re planning a renovation or demolition project, especially involving older buildings, there’s one critical step that cannot be overlooked: an asbestos survey. Whether you’re updating a historic structure or clearing the way for new construction, identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) is not just smart — it’s required by law.

At PM Environmental, we specialize in systematic and tailored asbestos surveys that help protect both your project and your people. Let’s dive into what an asbestos survey involves, why it matters, and what you should know before getting started.

Why Are Asbestos Surveys Needed?

Asbestos exposure is a severe health risk. Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other types of asbestos-related diseases. Unfortunately, asbestos was widely used in building materials until the late 20th century, meaning that many institutional, commercial, industrial, and even residential structures built before the 1980s may contain it.

Because of the health hazards, federal and state regulations require asbestos surveys and inspections for renovation and demolition projects in institutional, commercial, and industrial buildings. Surveys help identify ACMs so they can be properly managed, removed, or avoided during construction activities.

Simply put: if you’re working with an older building, an asbestos survey isn’t just good practice — it’s the law.

When Are Asbestos Surveys Performed?

Asbestos surveys are typically performed before any renovation or demolition project begins. This is especially crucial when the project involves disturbing building materials like walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, or roofing.

Key times you might need an asbestos survey include:

• Before pulling permits for renovation or demolition.
• When acquiring an older property.
• Prior to upgrading mechanical systems that disturb structural materials.
• During due diligence for real estate transactions.

Identifying asbestos early helps prevent costly project delays, protects workers, and ensures compliance with OSHA, EPA, and local regulations.

Types of Asbestos Surveys

There are several types of asbestos surveys, each suited for different project needs:

Pre-Renovation Asbestos Survey

A pre-renovation asbestos survey is conducted before any renovation work begins. It focuses specifically on the areas where construction activities are planned. The goal is to identify any ACMs that could be disturbed during the project, ensuring that appropriate handling or removal measures are put in place. These surveys are typically less invasive but must still be thorough enough to detect hidden asbestos materials within the renovation zone.

Pre-Demolition Asbestos Survey

A pre-demolition asbestos survey is more comprehensive and intrusive. Since demolition often affects every part of a building, this type of survey involves extensive inspection of all accessible and inaccessible spaces. Inspectors may need to penetrate walls, ceilings, or floors to locate concealed ACMs. Identifying asbestos throughout the structure is essential to prevent airborne fiber release during demolition, protecting workers and the surrounding community.

Asbestos Screening

Asbestos screening is a limited, less intensive form of investigation. Rather than inspecting an entire structure, asbestos screening focuses on specific materials or areas that are suspected to contain asbestos. This type of survey is commonly used during real estate transactions or preliminary site assessments. Although it provides a snapshot, it does not substitute for a full survey when major renovation or demolition work is planned.

Management Asbestos Survey

A management asbestos survey is typically conducted when a building is still occupied and no major work is planned. The purpose is to locate and assess ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy or routine maintenance. Findings from this survey help building owners implement an ongoing Asbestos Management Plan, ensuring continued safe use of the property.

Each type of asbestos survey is tailored to the project’s specific needs, regulatory requirements, and future plans for the property. Choosing the appropriate survey type ensures that potential asbestos hazards are properly addressed from the start.

The Process of an Asbestos Survey

The asbestos survey process typically includes the following steps:

1. Initial Consultation: Our team discusses the project’s scope, construction history, and the specific areas impacted by planned work.
2. Visual Inspection: Certified inspectors conduct a detailed walkthrough to identify materials that may contain asbestos.
3. Sampling: Small samples of suspect materials (like flooring, ceiling tiles, insulation, and adhesives) are carefully collected.
4. Laboratory Analysis: Samples are analyzed in accredited labs to determine the presence and type of asbestos fibers.
5. Reporting: A detailed report is provided outlining locations, quantities, types, and conditions of ACMs found, along with recommendations for management, removal, or encapsulation.

Throughout the process, PM Environmental maintains strict quality control and adheres to all applicable regulations to ensure safe and accurate results.

Asbestos Removal and Abatement Options

If asbestos-containing materials are discovered, several options exist to handle the hazard safely:

• Removal: Physically removing ACMs from the structure. This is often necessary before demolition or extensive renovations.
• Encapsulation: Sealing ACMs in place to prevent fiber release, often used when removal is impractical.
• Enclosure: Building a barrier around ACMs to isolate them.
• Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Programs: When ACMs are intact and unlikely to be disturbed, a structured program ensures ongoing safe management.

PM Environmental offers full project management services, including the preparation of bidding specifications for ACM removal, oversight of contractors, third-party air monitoring, and documentation to confirm compliance with all regulations.

Why PM Environmental for Asbestos Survey Services?

At PM Environmental, we take a proactive, thorough approach to asbestos management. Our team’s extensive experience includes asbestos surveys for industrial, commercial, residential, municipal, and institutional structures. We proudly offer:

• Comprehensive ACM Surveys for renovations and demolitions.
• Total Project Management including bidding specs, contractor oversight, air monitoring, and compliance documentation.
• Asbestos Negative Exposure Assessments.
• Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Programs for ongoing management.
• Asbestos Services for K-12 Schools, including AHERA Management Plans, six-month surveillances, and three-year inspections.

Our team holds professional certifications, including Certified Industrial Hygienists, Licensed Asbestos Inspectors, NIOSH Technicians Certified in Asbestos Fiber Counting, Management Planners, Project Designers, and Contractor/Supervisors.

When you work with PM Environmental, you can be confident that you have a knowledgeable and reliable partner guiding you through every step of asbestos management.

The Importance of an Asbestos Survey

Conducting an asbestos survey isn’t just about legal compliance — it’s about protecting lives. Early identification and safe handling of ACMs help prevent dangerous asbestos exposure that can have life-threatening consequences decades later.

Whether you are modernizing an aging facility or planning a demolition to make room for something new, partnering with experienced environmental professionals like PM Environmental ensures your project is safe, compliant, and successful.

If you have an upcoming renovation, demolition, or property transaction, don’t overlook the need for an asbestos survey. Contact PM Environmental today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a safer project.