Asbestos Removal: A Complete Guide to Safe and Professional Removal
Asbestos was once a widely-used material in Australian homes and buildings due to its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, it has since been linked to severe health hazards, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Asbestos fibres, when inhaled, can cause life-threatening diseases. This is why safe and professional asbestos removal is crucial for anyone undertaking renovations, demolitions, or maintenance on properties built before the 1990s.
At Identifibre, we provide expert asbestos testing, air monitoring and post removal clearance inspections, across Australia, ensuring compliance with state and territory safety regulations and keeping your home or workplace safe from airborne asbestos exposure.
What is Asbestos and Why is it Harmful?
Some of the asbestos-related diseases include:
- Mesothelioma: An aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by scarring of lung tissue due to asbestos fibres.
- Lung Cancer: Long-term exposure to asbestos greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
As there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, it is crucial to address any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) with extreme caution.
Where is Asbestos Found?
- Roofing materials: Corrugated asbestos sheets and tiles.
- Cement sheeting: Often used in walls, ceilings, eaves and fences.
- Insulation: Around pipes, boilers, and in some old heaters.
- Vinyl flooring and adhesives: Vinyl tiles and underlays may contain asbestos.
If your property was built before 1990, it’s wise to assume asbestos may be present and to have your property professionally tested.
When Should You Consider Professional Asbestos Removal?
It’s important to note that asbestos does not always need to be removed. In some cases, materials containing asbestos may remain undisturbed and pose minimal risk. However, removal becomes necessary when:
- The material is damaged or deteriorating, making it more likely to release fibres.
- You’re planning a renovation, demolition, or major maintenance that will disturb asbestos-containing materials.
If any of these conditions apply, it’s critical that asbestos removal be conducted by licensed professionals.
Where Is Asbestos Found?
Even though asbestos is banned in many countries, it can still be found in many older buildings, homes, and various materials, including:
- Roofing and siding materials
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Pipe insulation
- Ceiling tiles
- Fireproofing materials
- Cement sheeting
- Linings behind and below ceramic tiles
- Within electrical cupboards and older electrical components
The Asbestos Removal Process in Australia: Step-by-Step
Asbestos removal is a carefully controlled process that must follow strict safety protocols as outlined by EPA Victoria and WorkSafe Australia. Here’s an overview of how the process works:
1. Inspection and Testing
An asbestos hygienist or consultant will inspect the suspected areas and take samples to be tested at a NATA accredited laboratory. This testing will determine the presence and type of asbestos.
2. Preparation of the Area
Before removal begins, the work area is sealed off to prevent any asbestos fibres from spreading to other parts of the building. Plastic sheeting is commonly used to cover floors and walls, and negative air pressure units may be set up to filter the air, this is a requirement for the removal of friable asbestos-containing materials.
3. Asbestos Removal
The asbestos-containing materials are carefully removed by licensed removal professionals using specialised tools and protective equipment.
4. Disposal of Asbestos
Asbestos waste is double-bagged in heavy-duty plastic, labelled, and transported to an approved asbestos disposal facility. It is illegal to dispose of asbestos in regular rubbish collections.
5. Final Inspection and Air Monitoring
Once the asbestos has been removed, the area will be cleaned, and a visual inspection will be conducted by an independent and competent person, such as an asbestos hygienist or consultant. Airborne asbestos fibre tests are required following the removal of friable asbestos-containing materials to ensure that no asbestos fibres remain in the air. Only after the area is declared safe and a clearance certificate for the works is issued can it be reoccupied by unprotected personnel.
Why Professional Asbestos Removal is a Must
Attempting to remove asbestos on your own can have severe consequences, including exposing yourself and others to harmful fibres and contaminating your home. In Australia, it is illegal for unlicensed individuals to remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. Only licensed professionals can handle friable asbestos, which requires higher safety standards.
Costs of Asbestos Removal in Australia
The cost of asbestos removal in Australia varies based on several factors, including the size of the area to be treated and the type of asbestos involved. Here’s what influences the cost:
- Size and extent:
Larger projects typically cost more due to the amount of material that needs to be safely removed. - Type of asbestos:
Friable asbestos is more hazardous and requires extra safety precautions, which can increase the cost. - Location:
If the asbestos is in a hard-to-reach area, this could also affect the pricing.
List of Common Asbestos Materials
Asbestos coated metal sheet (Galbestos)
Usage: Galvanised iron sheets with a coating of asbestos on each side. Commonly used as external roof and wall cladding.
Vermiculite
Usage: Provides fire rated insulation in industrial and commercial buildings. Can also be used as a decorative finish to ceilings.
Block insulation / lagging
Usage: Provides heat insulation for pipes and vessels. More commonly found in industrial properties.
Mastic sealant
Usage: Joint sealant within building structures, air conditioning plant and ductwork.
Compressed gaskets
Usage: Provides heat and chemical resistance within pipework flange joins.
Sheet vinyl floor covering with millboard backing
Usage: Floor and bench top covering.
Limpet (White Asbestos)
Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.
Limpet (Brown Asbestos)
Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.
Limpet (Blue Asbestos)
Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.
Bituminous membrane (Malthoid)
Usage: Prevents water movement across the membrane. Might be present on building roofs, as a lining inside tanks or around buried pipework or structures.
Millboard
Usage: Provides heat and chemical resistance, and non-conductive seal in electrical components.
Black tar electrical board (Zelemite)
Usage: Commonly used as a backing board for electrical components, including switchboards, fuse panels and gauges.
Fire door core insulation
Usage: Fire rated insulation lining present within fire doors. Doors may have several different layers.
Woven asbestos rope/cloth
Usage: Flexible heat and electrical insulation barrier. Commonly found lining older ceramic electrical fuses, as door seals for heaters and ovens, window seals and numerous other uses.
Low density fibre board (Asbestolux)
Usage: Commonly used as interior fire resistant ceiling sheeting and wall linings.
Laminated cement sheet
Usage: Decorative cladding used in domestic construction, commonly in wet areas.
Tile Adhesive (Blackjack glue)
Usage: Commonly used as a vinyl tile adhesive.
Vinyl tile
Usage: Commonly used as floor and wall coverings.
Asbestos cement
Usage: Heat resistant filling material for building penetrations and voids. Also used as a fire rating material on critical building fittings.
Corrugated cement sheet
Usage: Primarily used as roof and external wall cladding throughout industrial and residential buildings.
Cement sheet
Usage: Various uses such as cladding and underlay in construction. Chemical, heat, moisture and pest resistant.
Brake pads
Usage: Primarily used as friction materials in brake pads and clutch plates present in mechanical, automotive and other applications.
Common Asbestos Containing Materials in Houses
Asbestos cement sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting
Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting
Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting
Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting
Fibrous cement pipe
Fibrous cement pipe
Laminated cement sheet
Laminated cement sheet
Vinyl coverings
Vinyl coverings
Vinyl coverings
Vinyl coverings
Zelemite electrical board/millboard
Zelemite electrical board/millboard
Mastic sealant
Mastic sealant
Mastic sealant
Mastic sealant
Get More Information
Don’t risk your health by ignoring the presence of asbestos. Contact Identifibre today for expert asbestos hygiene services. For more detailed information on air monitoring, visual inspections and related services contact Identifibre on (03)9563 2957 or via email at contact@identifibre.com.au