Asbestos type 3 survey is used to describe and locate any asbestos compounds in any building structure and sometimes the survey may involve destruction of some parts of a building in trying to access the ACMs. Usually a sampling program is taken to help in identifying, locating and estimating the surface area and volume of the asbestos material in a building structure. Asbestos type 3 surveys are meant to remove all ACMs from any building structure before the structures are demolished.

Many building structures use asbestos materials for different reasons. However, when inhaled, asbestos can be dangerous in a number of ways including causing lung cancer, mesotheliaoma among other deadly health risks. Asbestos type 3 survey is meant to remove all traces of ACMs and thus preventing it from getting into the environment to cause such deadly conditions.

The human system is able to get rid of small quantities of asbestos but when one is exposed regularly to asbestos, the asbestos containing materials remain in the body system and thus lead to complications. Asbestos type 3 survey can take a number of days, as samples from the building under survey have to be taken from different areas and sent to laboratories for analysis. Asbestos type 3 survey may involve destruction of a building structure in trying to get the fibers within the walls and other parts of a building. Although majorly used in building structure awaiting demolition, asbestos type 3 survey can be used when undertaking major building refurbishment and remodeling which involves pulling down of some of the structures.

All in all, asbestos type 3 surveys are carried out as a management measure to ensure safety and healthy working environment especially for workers in the building industry. Today, many jurisdictions have rules regulating the use of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in a bid to protect employees.