- Beyond Asbestos, what’s in a Hazardous Materials Survey?
- WorkSafeBC specifies Hazardous Materials Survey requirements. Full comprehensive surveys include Asbestos, Lead, and other regulated hazardous materials.
Hazardous Materials Surveys may include some or all of the following.
Asbestos
Lead
Silica
Hantavirus
Mercury
Radioactive Materials
Arsenic
Mould
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation
Above Ground Storage Tanks (AGST)
Other toxic, flammable or explosive materials
The Hazardous Materials Survey Process
Wondering how to proceed or how a survey actually takes place? We have a streamlined process - see details below.
The survey process
We collect general background information on the building.
We discuss with the client their specific plans for the building.
Based on the client’s intent and regulatory requirements – we design a suitable survey.
The on-site survey is conducted – this normally takes a few hours for residential buildings.
While on site the surveyor extracts samples of suspect materials for laboratory analysis. These are very tiny (2 cm). We minimise intrusive sampling whenever possible (apply hidden sample techniques). This is especially important for real estate transaction surveys and buildings not undergoing immediate renovation or demolition.
The samples are analyzed by an accredited laboratory as per regulations.
Sample results are obtained and incorporated into the final survey report.
We review the report with the client so they understand its content and options moving forward.