Asbestos safety
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring minerals that contains fibres. It was used in a wide range of building materials mainly between the 1930s to 1980s because of its unique properties providing good insulation, is fire-retardant and water and corrosion resistant.
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Removing asbestos must only be undertaken by a licenced contractor
However, if asbestos containing products are damaged in some way, fibres may be released. When high concentrations of these fibres are breathed in over a long period of time there is a risk of lung disease and cancer. Exposure to low levels of asbestos fibre is unlikely to damage health.
If materials are intact, they pose very little risk, so many of us safely live and work in buildings that contain asbestos.
The use of asbestos was reduced in 1985 and has been banned in the UK since 1999, so homes built after then are asbestos-free.
Before anyone moves into a rental home, a copy of an asbestos survey report is included within the moving in pack. It identifies where asbestos is present.
Removing asbestos
Removing asbestos must only be undertaken by a licenced contractor. If an asbestos survey report shows there’s damage to an area that contains asbestos, bpha will have the asbestos safely removed and disposed of.
We complete a survey before carrying out any refurbishment works to a home built before the year 2000 to make sure that any asbestos in the refurbishment area is removed.
Where is asbestos found?
You can’t tell whether a product contains asbestos simply by looking at it - it must be analysed by a laboratory. If you live in a home that was built before 2000 and are concerned about asbestos in your home or have damaged one of the areas of your home mentioned in your survey report, please contact us. We will provide you some guidance and, if necessary, arrange an asbestos survey for your home.
Below is a list of the most common locations where you could possibly find asbestos. Please note that asbestos may be found in other areas not included in this list:
Outside
- Eaves and soffits
- Rainwater pipes and guttering
- Roof tiles
- Central heating flues
- Garage and shed roofs/walls
- Corrugated cement.
Inside
- Decorative coating on ceilings and walls (Artex)
- Linings for walls, ceilings, duct panels and internal doors
- Insulation in some electrical heaters
- Bath panels
- Floor tiles and adhesives
- Boarding around fireplaces
- Cold water tanks.