Did you know?
Asbestos is the single biggest occupational killer in the UK (c.5000 per year) (HSE). Any building constructed before 2000 may contain asbestos. You can’t tell if a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Asbestos was used in many different ways prior to 2000 and most people are unaware they may be living or working with asbestos. If we identify asbestos in your building, we’ll identify it’s type and understand it’s condition. You can then choose to safely remove it or contain it, knowing it won’t be disturbed. Materials identified as containing asbestos that are in good condition can usually be made safe and easily managed by property owners and managers.
Types of Asbestos
Asbestos has been included in over 3,000 different products in the last 150 years. The three most common types of asbestos that can be found in buildings are: Crocidolite (blue asbestos), and is typically found in sprayed coatings, pipe insulation, and cement based products and was banned in 1985.
Amosite (brown asbestos), is usually found in asbestos insulating board (AIB), mill boards and was banned in 1985.
Chrysotile (white asbestos), is found in numerous products such as textured coatings (also know as Artex), floor tiles, and can also be found in insulation materials and insulating board (AIB), also within cement products such as roofing tiles and felts, thermal Insulation, rope and woven materials, lagging and yarns, sprayed coatings, and in loose form in cavities, floors and ceilings.
Asbestos Cement
Generally containing between 10-15% asbestos and are generally bound in cement or calcium silicate.
Uncoated sheets, widely used in the past as a building material can be identified as grey in colour. Whilst they were banned in 1999, asbestos cement products are ubiquitous and are still commonplace today.
Between the 1940s and the late 1970’s asbestos cement was extensively used in Garages, Sheds, Industrial Units, Dutch Barns, Nissan Huts, schools, Hospitals, Churches.
Floor Tiles
Vinyl, thermoplastic tiles and bitumen can contain asbestos. Floor screed typically contains about 2% asbestos. These screeds were often used in areas of high occupancy such as stairwells and entrance halls. Often used for: Floor Coverings, mastics, adhesive, roofing felt and sink pads.
Asbestos Lagging, Ropes and Yarns
Where used for lagging or packing material ropes and yarns can contain 40 – 100% asbestos depending on its functional requirements. Often used for: Pipe lagging, insulation, jointing pipes, heat resisting situations.
Textured Coatings
May contain asbestos and if well bonded, fibres are not often easily released. However, because of the asbestos content it is to be worked with safely.
Asbestos cement
This is a compressed board that contains asbestos fibre and Portland cement or calcium silicate with other materials.
Compressed board
Millboards that were manufactured between 1896 and 1965 can contain chrysotile asbestos (up to 97%). Often found: Pipe runs, electrical gear, vaults, storage.
Asbestos Sprayed coatings
Are contained within products that can generate very high fibre levels if disturbed. Often found in: Roof underlining (especially on asbestos cement roofs), service risers, floor voids, ceiling voids and around firebreaks.
