Asbestos - What is Asbestos?

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been a popular building material since the 1950s. It is used as an insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold), has good fire protection properties and protects against corrosion.

Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not. But, if you work in a building built before the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of the building will contain asbestos.

Asbestos is found in many products used in buildings, including ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boilers and sprayed coatings.

Common uses

Some of the more common uses of Asbestos in buildings are shown below. You can find more examples in the pdf leaflet [PDF], (Welsh leaflet [PDF])

Sprayed coating

Found as fire protection on structural supports (eg columns and beams).

It is a high hazard asbestos product and can generate very high fibre levels if disturbed.

Pipe Insulation

Asbestos thermal pipe lagging is a high hazard asbestos product.

Asbestos insulating board (also referred to as AIB) ceiling and door panels

AIB is a high hazard asbestos product and can generate high levels of fibres if the board is cut or drilled.

AIB window panel

Like other AIB, this is a high hazard asbestos product, and if in good condition should be left undisturbed.

Floor tiles

Vinyl (PVC) or thermoplastic tiles contain asbestos.

Asbestos cement roof sheeting

Asbestos cement sheeting is often found on industrial building roofs and walls.

Textured decorative coating (such as Artex)

Textured coatings contain a small amount of asbestos. The asbestos is well bonded and fibres are not easily released. However, it is still an asbestos product, and as such, needs to be worked with safely.