Uses of asbestos
Last updated:2.7 USES OF ASBESTOS
Asbestos is rarely used as a pure product but as a component in manufactured goods. A product can contain a mixture of different types of asbestos.
Prior to 1971 blue asbestos was used for thermal and sound insulation in many buildings and types of plant e.g. heat insulation on pipework. Since that time much has been removed and blue asbestos is now rarely found. It is likely that little blue asbestos remains in Council buildings and any that does will probably be mixed with brown or white asbestos.
White and/or brown asbestos can be found in a variety of products in varying percentages, including cement building products (roof panels, gutters, flue pipes, rainwater pipes, floor tiles, insulating boards, ceiling tiles, sprayed insulation, and gaskets). Therefore, asbestos could be present in the roof, ceiling, floor, walls, service ducts, heating systems or boiler/plant room(s) of any premises built before about the mid 1980's.
Only buildings constructed after 1999 can be assumed to be asbestos-free. (See Appendix 3 for more details about likely locations of asbestos products.)
It is a legal requirement not to use asbestos materials in connection with building fabric or services. However, where it already exists and a risk assessment indicates that removal is necessary, that removal must be undertaken under the direct control of the Property Services Team in all Council controlled buildings. The material will be replaced with a non-asbestos substitute.
Fibreboard
Since the original surveys were carried out it has come to light that some fibreboards are faced with asbestos paper. Fibreboards (also known as softboard, pinboard and Tentest) have been widely used, especially where funding was limited. They are commonly found as ceiling and wall panels. They are very soft, light in weight, easily damaged and are renowned for losing their shape and disintegrating in damp or humid conditions. You need to be aware that if you have any of these boards in your property they would not have been tested for asbestos content in previous surveys. Should you be contemplating removing these boards, or have any in a poor condition, you need to check your new survey, or contact Property Services who will arrange to have them tested.
Despite the care with which the management survey has been prepared it will not necessarily have located all the asbestos present in your buildings. Any work that involves disturbing the building fabric therefore needs to follow strict procedures, as described below, especially when exposing previously hidden material within inaccessible areas. It is essential that a Refurbishment/Demolition Survey is carried out prior to any major refurbishment/demolition work. Non-traditional wall construction, i.e. not brick or block, frequently contains asbestos within the cavity. In such circumstances, seek advice at the earliest opportunity.