1. Explain where asbestos can be found in buildings
2. Explain what should be included in an asbestos register
3. Explain how an asbestos register should be used
1. The different types of ACMs and the risks they pose
2. What information is in the asbestos register and its limitations
Here are some common myths and facts about asbestos. Think about the question below and answer is it a myth, or is it fact? Simply give your answer below.
Here are some common myths and facts about asbestos. Think about the question below and answer is it a myth, or is it fact? Simply give your answer below.
Remember any building built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos!
Some materials pose a very high risk if they are disturbed or worked upon but most materials found in buildings pose a low risk if undisturbed.
However all materials which contain asbestos can be a risk to your health, so be aware at all times!
Some materials are easily spotted but others are hidden!
All materials containing asbestos must be identified and recorded in the building register. This is the document that you will need before you start work. Materials containing asbestos are known as ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials).
This module will now familiarise you with ACMs in buildings.
Insulation on the underside of roofs and sometimes sides of buildings and warehouses. Also used as fire protection on steel and reinforced concrete beams/columns and on the underside of floors. ACMs are sometimes found as acoustic and condensation protection on the underside of gutters etc. It was very easy to over-spray or get a ‘splash back’ from the equipment used to apply this so there is likely to be debris around the sprayed area. This is generally found in buildings built before 1974.
Usually white or grey in colour with a rough surface, although it may have been painted or sealed with various coatings.
Sprayed coatings may contain up to 85% asbestos and break up very easily. They are potentially the most dangerous materials containing asbestos. Even minor disturbance of sprayed coatings can release large quantities of asbestos fibres, which may then be inhaled.
Mostly found in or on heating systems such as boilers or calorifiers and around pipe work. It generally will only be found in buildings built or refurbished before the 1980’s.
This type of ACM has many different appearances but is mostly a fibrous material, which flakes and powders easily. When applied to pipes it is often covered in a protective coating (or painted), which may make it more difficult to identify.
This is one of the most dangerous materials containing asbestos. You are more at risk from breathing in asbestos fibres because disturbance of the lagging or insulation releases fibres very easily into the air.
Asbestos Insulating Board was commonly used as fireproofing material but it had many other uses such as: partition walls, panels in fire doors, lift shaft linings, ceiling tiles, soffits and internal panels below windows, cupboard linings and backboards for heaters and boilers.
AIB looks like normal building materials such as wall panel boards, ceiling tiles and plasterboard. Although it is difficult to tell the difference between asbestos insulating board items and non-asbestos materials, sometimes trade names are visible.
Asbestos insulating board easily releases fibres in to the air when disturbed subsequently large amounts of fibre can be released if this material is drilled into or cut especially when using power tools!
You can find asbestos cement in many places both inside and outside buildings such as: Asbestos cement roofs, asbestos wall cladding, asbestos fascias, downpipes and gutters, asbestos cement flues, water tanks, fire surrounds and even water pipes. These products can be found in buildings built up until the late 1990’s.
Asbestos cement is just ordinary cement mixed with asbestos. In some cases asbestos can make up over a third of the cement. It is a hard, grey material, which was moulded and compressed to produce some of the product shown in the panel.
As the asbestos is held tightly within the structure of the cement not much is given off when this is broken, however more asbestos fibres will be given off if it is sawn, cut or drilled. You do not need a licence to work on these materials. However you do require the proper training. The HSE have produced a number of task sheets to help you to take the correct precautions to work safely with them.
Sometimes you may find asbestos floor tiles hidden under carpets. Textiles can be found in fuse boxes behind the actual fuse. Old fire blankets and heat resistant products, such as gloves can also be made out of asbestos textiles. Asbestos composites can be toilet cisterns, toilet seats, windowsills, and bath panels. Asbestos paper was used for lining under tiles and inside metal cladding.
The appearance of these ACM’s are not that different from what is used now, and it is recommended that the building owner should be asked about how long they’ve had these materials within their buildings for. Also certain distinctive trade names may be visible. Floor tiles containing asbestos are usually 9" x 9" square in size, but to be certain samples will need to be taken to verify if they contain asbestos or not.
These should be treated with caution. If in doubt, assume they are asbestos and treat as such. You do not need a licence to work on these materials, however once again you will require the proper training.
Textured coatings were used to produce decorative finishes on ceilings and walls. In the past, they have had various trade names such as ‘Artex’.
This is dependent on the particular decorative finish required e.g. peaks or patterns. Theses textures are hard and originally white in colour but have often been painted over.
The asbestos fibres are held in place within the structure and are not easily given off and breathed in, however they very hazardous if the coatings are sanded down – never do this.