An asbestos survey is an inspection of a building to determine whether or not asbestos is present. There are two main types of asbestos surveys: management surveys and refurbishment/demolition surveys.

Management Surveys: These surveys are designed to locate the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation, and to assess their condition.

Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys: These surveys are necessary when a building, or part of a building, is to be upgraded, refurbished, or demolished. They are used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned.