Having asbestos surveyors survey a building for asbestos contamination is important, but the real take home value is the quality of the report; the “Asbestos Register” with the "Bill of qty" (to assist tendering parties for remedial/removal works)  that is issued to you following undertaking of the survey.

The Asbestos Register needs to be able to advise the Duty holder and any people intending to work on the fabric of the site, where asbestos containing materials may be expected to be found. It is also beneficial if it additionally refers to materials which may, at first glance, look like asbestos containing materials, but which, after laboratory analysis, are confirmed to have no asbestos detected. Prior knowledge of this is invaluable as it can prevent someone stopping work because of concern about a suspected asbestos contamination which isn't actually there, which may in turn, adversely disrupt the works program, potentially resulting in undesirable delays and unwelcome additional costs.

In case of a fire the fire fighting crew need to know where hazardous materials are too!

A report should state clearly when it was carried out and by whom.  It needs to show a picture of the suspected ACM with details exactly where to find it in the building.  It should state clearly the building, area, floor, room and the component.  The report needs to confirm or refute the presence of asbestos.  

A risk assessment should be carried out taking into account all of the parameters laid out in MDHS100.  Surveyors recommendations and re-inspection dates should also be displayed.

Finally the report needs to be communicated.  We do this by creating a web page which can be published on intranet systems which goes a long way in proving a client has done everything reasonably practicable.