TYPES OF ASBESTOS

Types of Asbestos

Asbestos has been included in many materials in the last 150 years. Three common types of asbestos can be found in buildings:

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos), typically found in sprayed coatings, pipe insulation and cement based products was banned in 1985.
Amosite (Brown Asbestos), is usually found in asbestos insulating board (AIB) and was banned in 1985.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos), was legal until 1999 and banned thereafter. Often found in cement based products, artex and floor tiles, Chrysotile can be found in insulation materials and insulating board (AIB).

Asbestos, in loose or contained form, can be found within:

Cement items such as roofing
Insulation Boards
Thermal Insulation
Rope Insulation, Lagging and Yarns
Floor Tiles, textiles and composite products
Textured Coatings
Loose in cavities, floors and ceilings
Demolition
Land Surveying

Asbestos Cement

Generally containing 10-15% asbestos fibres which are bound in portland cement or calcium silicate. Uncoated sheets, widely used in the past as a building material can be identified as light grey in colour.

Whilst they were banned in 1999, asbestos cement products are the most common application of asbestos. Many houses, especially if built between the 1940s and the mid 1970’s will have asbestos cement garages and other asbestos cement products within and around the house.

Often found in: Garages, Sheds, Industrial Units, Dutch Barns, Nissan Huts, Domestic & Commercial properties, Schools, Hospitals, Churches
Often used for: Construction material, Corrugated roof sheets, Wall cladding, Roof tiles, Soffits, Guttering & down pipes, Soil & vent pipes, Verge plates, Flues, Bath panels, Panels to airing cupboards, around gas & electric meters.

Millboard

Millboards manufactured between 1896 and 1965 can contain chrysotile asbestos (up to 97%).

Often found in: Pipe runs, electrical gear, vaults, storage.
Often used for: General heat insulation and fire protection. Also used for insulation of electrical equipment and plant.

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,
Often used for: Fire protection on structural supports (eg columns and beams), fireproofing and soundproofing.

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 found in: Floors roofs, floors, external walls, under stainless steel sinks,
Often used for: Floor Coverings, mastic, adhesive, roof felt, 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 found in: Pipework, windows, boilers and ovens, on electrical equipment
Often used for: Pipe lagging, insulation, jointing pipes, heat resisting situations.

Textured coatings

May contain asbestos and if well bonded and fibres are not often easily released. However, because of the asbestos content it to be worked with safely.

Often found in: Domestic and commercial properties
Often used for: Walls and ceilings

ASBESTOS TESTING

Our associated laboratory services are also UKAS accredited and we are able to offer a Same Day, Next Day, 48 hr and 72 hr services to suit your requirements. If you have bulk sampling demands we can arrange for

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT SURVEY

A management survey is required for the normal occupancy of a building and for routine and simple maintenance of the building. Its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence, extent and

R&D SURVEY

A refurbishment / demolition survey is needed before any planned refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs (Asbestos

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

As a leading Asbestos Removal Contractor, we have experience of carrying out asbestos removal services since 1993, as a result of the never ending discovery of the hazardous material in the course of our