Where do you find Asbestos Cement?

You can find asbestos cement in many places inside and outside buildings such as:

Asbestos cement roofs

These are mainly made up of large sheets of corrugated asbestos cement; they are often found on industrial or farmyard buildings, but also can be found as roofs on garages and sheds. They are usually covered in mosses as they’ve been there for many years.

Asbestos wall cladding

Shape and structure similar to roof sheeting, and is often found on walls/as walls of buildings with asbestos cement roofs.

Asbestos downpipes and gutters

Sometimes attached at the end of cement roofs in warehouse type buildings.

Asbestos cement flues

This may be found in boiler systems (including domestic) air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Articles

Examples include water tanks, fire surrounds and pipes.

What does Asbestos Cement look like?

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 materials listed above.

Where do you find Asbestos Floor Tiles, Textiles and Composites?

What do Asbestos Floor Tiles, Textiles and Composites look like?

These asbestos containing materials are not very distinctive from what is used now.

To make sure we recommend you ask the owners about how long they’ve had certain things or look for a trade name.

If you find a trade name you can contact us and we can advise you or arrange for a qualified asbestos surveyor to inspect it free of charge.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT REGARDING ASBESTOS TEXTURED PRODUCTS AND HANDLING IT, CALL US FOR A FREE SURVEY.

How dangerous are Asbestos Textured Coatings?

These should be treated with caution, if in doubt assume they are asbestos and treat as such.

Unless you know exactly what you are doing, have the full protective equipment and follow every heath and safety procedure you are putting yourself and others at risk.

Work with any type of asbestos is dangerous which is why the HSE have produced a number of guidance sheets.

If you suspect that you have an asbestos textured coating, contact us and we will advise you of the best course of action or even survey it for you free of charge.

Where do you find Asbestos Textured Coatings?

What do Asbestos Floor Tiles, Textiles and Composites look like?

This is dependent on the particular decorative finish required i.e. peaks or patterns. They are hard and were originally white in colour but have often been painted over.

If you find a trade name you can contact us and we can advise you or arrange for a qualified asbestos surveyor to inspect it free of charge.

How dangerous are Asbestos Textured Coatings?

The asbestos fibres are held in place within the structure and are not easily given off and breathed in, however they are easily released if the coatings are sanded down – never do this.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT REGARDING ASBESTOS TEXTURED PRODUCTS AND HANDLING IT, CALL US FOR A FREE SURVEY.

Where do you find Sprayed Asbestos Coatings?Insulation on the underside of roofs and sometimes sides of buildings and warehouses. Sprayed asbestos was used as fire protection on steel and reinforced concrete beams/columns and on underside of floors.

It was very easy to overspray or get a ‘splash back’ from the equipment used to apply this so there is likely to be debris around the sprayed area (see the image below).

What does a Sprayed Asbestos Coating look like?

Usually white or grey in colour with a rough surface, although sprayed asbestos may have been painted since, it remains a highly dangerous substance and should not be handled by anyone other than a professional HSE licensed company such as Southern Insulation.

How dangerous is a Sprayed Asbestos Coating?

This contains up to 85% asbestos and breaks up very easily.It is one of the most dangerous materials containing asbestos.

Even minor disturbance of sprayed coatings can release large quantities of asbestos fibres into the air where they can be breathed in.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WORK ON OR REMOVE THIS MATERIAL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

SOUTHERN INSULATION ARE AN APPROVED HSE ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR, CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE FOUND A SPRAYED ASBESTOS COATING

Where do you find Loose Fill Asbestos?

 Asbestos loose fill was used to insulate industrial and domestic premises so can be found in between cavity walls, under floorboards and in loft spaces.

What does Loose Fill Asbestos look like?

This is a loose, fluffy insulation material (similar to candyfloss), which may be blue-grey or whitish in colour.

The best advice if you suspect that it even could be asbestos lagging is to contact us and arrange a free survey to either confirm it or eliminate it.

We will be able to advise you exactly what your options are, and if it is confirmed as asbestos loose fill material, we can remove the contamination quickly, safely and efficiently at an affordable cost.

Download the ‘Hidden Killer’ flyer here

How dangerous is Asbestos Loose Fill ?

Probably the most dangerous asbestos containing material. Loose fill is made up of pure asbestos and if disturbed can release large amounts of fibres in to the air, where they can be breathed in.DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WORK ON OR REMOVE ASBESTOS LOOSE FILL

SOUTHERN INSULATION ARE AN APPROVED HSE ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR, CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE FOUND ASBESTOS LOOSE FILL

Where do you find Asbestos Lagging and Insulation?

 Asbestos lagging and insulation is mostly found in or on heating systems such as round boilers or calorifiers and around pipework.

What does Asbestos Lagging and Insulation look like?

This type of asbestos 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 can be any colour, and may make it more difficult to identify.

The best advice if you suspect that it even could be asbestos lagging is to contact us and arrange a free survey to either confirm it or eliminate it.

We will be able to advise you exactly what your options are, and if it is confirmed as asbestos lagging material, we can remove the contamination quickly, safely and efficiently at an affordable cost.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WORK ON OR REMOVE ASBESTOS LAGGING OR INSULATION

Download the ‘Hidden Killer’ flyer here

How dangerous is Asbestos Lagging and Insulation ?

This is one of the most dangerous materials containing asbestos.

There is an extremely high risk from breathing in asbestos fibres because disturbance of the lagging or insulation releases fibres very easily in to the air that you breathe.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WORK ON OR REMOVE ASBESTOS LAGGING OR INSULATION

SOUTHERN INSULATION ARE AN APPROVED HSE ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR, CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE FOUND ASBESTOS LAGGING OR INSULATION

Where do you find Asbestos Insulating Board?

 Asbestos Insulating Board is also known as AIB and it is a highly dangerous form of asbestos.

Asbestos Insulating Board was commonly used as fireproofing material but it had many other uses such as:

• Partition walls
• Fireproofing panels in fire doors
• Lift shaft linings
• Ceiling tiles
• Soffits
• Panels below

What does an Asbestos Insulating Board look like?

Normal building items such as wall panels boards, ceiling tiles and plasterboard.

It is difficult to tell the difference between asbestos insulating board items and non-asbestos materials.

The best advice if you suspect that it even could be asbestos insulating boards is to contact us and arrange a free survey

We will be able to advise you exactly what your options are, and if it is confirmed as asbestos material, we can remove the contamination quickly, safely and efficiently at an affordable cost.

How dangerous is Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) ?

Work on AIB is dangerous. Asbestos insulating board easily releases fibres in to the air when disturbed.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WORK ON OR REMOVE THIS MATERIAL

SOUTHERN INSULATION ARE AN APPROVED HSE ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR, CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE FOUND A SPRAYED ASBESTOS COATING

Asbestos Information Downloads (courtesy of the HSE)

  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the following page links.

Equipment and Methods

• EM1. What to do if you uncover or damage materials that may contain asbestos
• EM2. Training
• EM3. Building and dismantling a mini-enclosure
• EM4. Using a class-H vacuum cleaner for asbestos
• EM5. Wetting asbestos materials
• EM6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• EM7. Using damp rags to clean surfaces of minor asbestos contamination
• EM8. Personal decontamination
• EM9. Disposal of asbestos waste
• EM10. Statement of cleanliness after textured coating removal

Safe work with undamaged asbestos materials

• A8. Enclosing undamaged asbestos materials to prevent impact damage
• A20. Laying cables in areas containing undamaged asbestos materials
• A34. Removing pins and nails from an asbestos insulating board panel

We specialise in all asbestos related issues including being able to identify and test for asbestos materials within buildings and maritime.

If your are suspicious that you may have asbestos within your premises or just want to be sure, we offer free site surveys.

The duty to manage Asbestos in non-domestic premises came into force in May 2004, in which all non-domestic premises are required to have had an Asbestos Survey. Regulation 4 requires all Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) present to be identified and a full Asbestos Register to be in place. This will assist in the duty to manage the risk of Asbestos exposure to staff and visitors alike.

HSE and Local Authority Inspectors are already carrying out prosecutions against companies who are not complying with Regulation 4. There is no limitation to the fines and HSE and Local Authority Inspectors will take whatever enforcement action they deem appropriate based on the severity of the problem. To avoid the risk of prosecution, it is imperative that all non-domestic premises have a fully working strategy, together with an implementation timetable in place to demonstrate how they are working towards full compliance with Regulation 4.

Southern Group can undertake every aspect of your Asbestos Management and ensure your full compliance to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 Regulation.

Asbestos Survey’s fall into three different categories, read more below to find out which one best suits your needs?

Asbestos Management Survey (HSG264)

The Asbestos Management Survey HSG 264 used to be known as a Type 1 & 2 Asbestos Surveys. From early 2010 the Heath and Safety Executive have redefined the parameters and renamed the old Type 1 & 2 surveys to the new Asbestos Management Survey.

Tell our surveyor why you want a ‘Management Survey’.

The purpose of the management survey is to manage asbestos-containing materials (ACM) during the normal occupation and use of premises.

A Management Survey aims to ensure that:

• nobody is harmed by the continuing presence of ACM in the premises or equipment;
• that the ACM remain in good condition; and
• that nobody disturbs it accidentally

The Survey must locate ACM that could be damaged or disturbed by normal activities, by foreseeable maintenance, or by installing new equipment. It involves minor intrusion and minor asbestos disturbance to make a Materials Assessment. This shows the ability of ACM, if disturbed, to release fibres into the air. It guides the client, eg in prioritising any remedial work.

Provide the surveyor with the site layout, building plans, building specifications or architect’s drawings, and any history of asbestos work. Point out your site hazards, including means of safe access to heights. Provide keys, etc.

The area should be vacated during the survey.

Report

The report should state the asbestos type, location, extent, condition and any surface treatment – the ‘Materials assessment’. The report may comment on priorities for any remedial work.

The report should state where the surveyor or sampler did not survey or sample. You should presume that areas that the surveyor has not accessed do contain asbestos

Demolition / Refurbishment Asbestos Survey

The Demolition / Refurbishment Asbestos Survey HSG 264 used to be known as a Type 3 Asbestos Surveys. From early 2010 the Heath and Safety Executive have redefined the parameters and renamed the old Type 3 survey to the new Demolition / Refurbishment Asbestos Survey.

(Formally known as a Type 3: Full access sampling and identification survey (pre-demolition/major refurbishment surveys) The Type 3 survey has now been superseded with and is now known as a: Demolition / Refurbishment Asbestos Survey. Below we have outlined the basic details of this type of survey:

The refurbishment / demolition survey is required where the premises, or part of it, need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. The survey does not need a record of the condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Normally, a surveyor is needed for refurbishment / demolition surveys.

A Refurbishment / demolition survey aims to ensure that:

• nobody will be harmed by work on ACM in the premises or equipment;
• such work will be done by the right contractor in the right way

The survey must locate and identify all ACM before any structural work begins at a stated location or on stated equipment at the premises. It involves intrusive and/or destructive inspection and asbestos disturbance. The area surveyed must be vacated, and certified ‘fit for reoccupation’ after the survey.

Provide the surveyor with the site layout, building plans, building specifications or architect’s drawings, and any history of asbestos work. Point out your site hazards, including means of safe access to heights. Provide keys, etc.

Report

The reports should state the location, presence and extent of asbestos-containing materials and debris. It does not assess the asbestos condition but the surveyor should mention any that is in a dangerous state.

The report should state where the surveyor or sampler did not survey or sample. You should presume that areas that the surveyor has not accessed do contain asbestos.

We provide a fully qualified and insured domestic asbestos removal service throughout the UK but predominantly within the home counties of Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset, Wiltshire and of course across London.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the removal, encapsulation and disposal of all types of Asbestos Containing Materials from a wide range of locations. Specializing in occupied residential buildings and also fire damaged structures.

Our approach to asbestos removal and disposal is planned to cause the very minimum amount of inconvenience to the client whilst maintaining the highest levels of safety and ensuring the work is thoroughly and effectively carried out.

Our ethos is to work with our clients on projects no matter how challenging the environment where the asbestos is found and needs to be removed.

Our asbestos removal teams work on listed buildings or of architectural interest where the utmost care is required in maintaining the structural and visual integrity of the building.

Our teams work at height where asbestos use in past building practices has been extensive and may pose additional risk due to its poor condition.