…..the inspection, identification and testing of asbestos is a specialist activity which is shrouded in a wide range of policies and procedures written into legislation. It is therefore imperative that specialist advice is sought where there is a possibility of the existence and/or discovery of asbestos or asbestos containing products or components in buildings |
| Source: http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/ |
Over the last few weeks I have introduced asbestos and in particular its extensive use in UK construction. In Part 1 (link) I discussed the health risks associated with being exposed to asbestos fibres and subsequently why asbestos is no longer used in UK construction. I also explained that asbestos containing products/components in buildings only becomes a problem if they are disturbed or become damaged and that there is no need to panic if asbestos containing products/components are discovered in buildings. In last week’s article (link) I went onto explain that asbestos is not easy to identify, even for the trained eye as it is often concealed or decorated, making it difficult to differentiate from other building products/components. I finally gave some examples of the wide use of asbestos cement in UK construction with some images of its typical uses. In the final part of this three part article I will gives some examples of the wider uses of asbestos containing products and components in buildings, some of which you may find surprising.It is first worth re-emphasising that the inspection, identification and testing of asbestos is a specialist activity which is shrouded in a wide range of policies and procedures written into legislation. It is therefore imperative that specialist advice is sought where there is a possibility of the existence and/or discovery of asbestos or asbestos containing products or components in buildings.
Textured Coatings – used as a finish onto ceilings or wall surfaces to give a decorative appearance. Textured coatings that may contain asbestos are difficult to identify from a visual inspection, as many have been painted over. The asbestos fibres are held in place within the coating and are not easily released unless sanded down, or during removal.
Floor tiles, textiles and Composites – You may be surprised to learn that asbestos can be found in PVC floor tiles. Discovery is often further complicated as these types of floor tiles are often covered over with newer floor coverings.
As previously discussed in Part 1, asbestos is an extremely flexible material as such it could be woven and spun, allowing it to be used for products such as fire blankets as well as textiles within electrical fuse boxes which allowed additional fire protection behind the actual fuses.
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Electrical fuses - Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/ |
Asbestos composites allowed asbestos to be used for a variety of products for which typical examples are toilet cisterns and seats, window sills, and bath panels. These are products that many people do not readily associate with asbestos.
Spray Coatings - often found as insulation on the underside of roofs and sometimes on the sides of buildings and also used as fire protection on steel beams/columns as well as on the underside of separating floors. Identification of suspected asbestos containing spray coatings is usually made with the presence of a rough surface, white or grey in colour, although painting of a spray coating can make this more difficult to identify. Some spray coatings can contain up to 85% asbestos. When this is added to the fact that spray coatings can be very friable (break up easily), this use is one of the most dangerous asbestos containing products found in buildings.
Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) – Can be found in a number of different locations within a building as it was used for a variety of fire proofing applications. AIB can therefore be found as ceiling panels/tiles, soffit boards, partition walls, lift shaft linings, panels within fire doors amongst other applications.
Lagging and Insulation – Mostly found as insulation around heating pipework and has many different appearances, which is commonly a fibrous material that can break up easily. When applied to pipes it is often covered with a protective coating, which can be a variety of different colours that sometimes makes it difficult to identify. As with spray coatings, this is a particularly dangerous form of asbestos.
Loose Fill Asbestos – used as insulation and found in cavity walls, in floors and loft spaces. Due to its loose nature this is possibly the most dangerous form of asbestos used in buildings. Its appearance is blue/grey in colour or sometimes off white and is often made of pure asbestos. Although much of this form of asbestos has now been removed it is still likely to be discovered and should only be inspected and dealt with by a specialist wearing and using the correct protective equipment.
The information and images discussed above and within last week’s article provide some typical examples of the use and identification of asbestos containing materials and components within buildings. Please bear in mind that the examples provided are far from exhaustive and asbestos can be found in numerous other locations within buildings. Having said this I hope these articles have provided a good introduction to asbestos is buildings.Please feel free to share this article and other articles on this site with friends, family and colleagues who you think would be interested
Information/opinions posted on this site are the personal views of the author and should not be relied upon by any person or any third party without first seeking further professional advice. Also, please scroll down and read the copyright notice at the end of the blog.
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