Asbestos is a mineral that was commonly used in the construction industry prior to the 1980s for its fire-resistant qualities, durability, and insulating characteristics. However, it was soon discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers could lead to serious health problems, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in many buildings today, particularly in those that were constructed before the ban on asbestos in 1999. The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 requires that a survey be carried out before any refurbishment or demolition work is performed on a building, in order to identify any ACMs that could be disturbed during such work.

There are two types of asbestos surveys: management surveys and refurbishment/demolition surveys. Management surveys are non-destructive and are designed to identify the presence, location, and condition of any ACMs in a building that are likely to be disturbed or damaged during normal occupancy or maintenance. Refurbishment/demolition surveys, on the other hand, are more extensive and invasive, and are carried out when a building is being refurbished or demolished, to identify any ACMs that could be present in areas that will be disturbed by the work.