Areas You Can Find Asbestos in Industrial & Commercial Properties

Asbestos was once a star player in Australia’s construction and industrial scenes thanks to its durability and resistance to heat. In the 1950s and 60s, Australia was riding high on a construction boom. Asbestos, known for its fireproof qualities (among others), became a go-to material. The asbestos material was everywhere – from roofing sheets to insulation.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and the tide began to turn. The health risks of asbestos containing material became impossible to ignore. Australia started imposing restrictions, leading to a complete ban on asbestos sheeting and in all its forms by 2003.

However, buildings constructed before the 90s often hold hidden asbestos-containing materials. In fact, about one-third of houses in Australia are estimated to contain asbestos. Asbestos is a serious health menace that can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma of the lungs, so finding and getting rid of it is vital, and not just for health reasons. The various regulations regarding asbestos waste make their removal a legal obligation, too.

Common asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in industrial properties

Asbestos was like the Swiss Army knife of building materials in industrial settings. And it’s easy to see why—the mineral is versatile and used in many places.

Some common spots where you might find asbestos materials:

• Insulations: Asbestos was a big hit for insulation. It’s in walls, roofs, and around pipes. Think of it as a thermal blanket, keeping heat in or out, but with a risky twist.
• Fireproofing: In areas where heat was a concern, asbestos was the go-to for fireproofing. It’s often in structural components like beams and columns, standing guard against fire, albeit with a hidden danger.
• Cement sheets: Those sturdy cement sheets that were all the rage for construction? You guessed right – many had asbestos. Asbestos cement was strong, durable, and, unfortunately, hazardous.
• Machinery: Asbestos wasn’t just about buildings. It snuck into machinery, too. The mineral is also found in gaskets and linings, helping to manage heat and wear in heavy-duty equipment.

If you’re dealing with older industrial properties, these are the usual suspects to watch out for, especially during a demolition. It’s a bit like a detective game, figuring out asbestos cement and others, but it’s a crucial game as it allows one to perform asbestos disposal better.

Of course, working with an asbestos removalist or an asbestos removal company would still be the best move. An asbestos removal company can help deal with the hazardous material as safely as possible.

Asbestos in commercial properties

Some of the most common spots where you can find hazardous asbestos in commercial properties are:

• Under your feet: Check those vintage vinyl tiles and the carpet underlay in older buildings. They might have a layer of asbestos for company.
• Above your head: Look up, and you might find asbestos in ceiling tiles and decorative plaster. It was used for its nifty ability to resist fire and add a bit of strength to these materials.
• Overhead protection: The roofing materials, including shingles and felt, often contain asbestos. The mineral was commonly used as a roofing material because it was sturdy and weather resistant.
• Sealing: Even the compounds used to glaze windows and seal joints might have asbestos. It was all about keeping the elements out, but at a cost, people are only now understanding fully.

Older commercial spaces are likely to contain asbestos, and these are the spots to keep an eye on so that the material doesn’t get inhaled by anyone during their removal.

Areas prone to asbestos in older buildings

Some areas in older buildings are likely to contain asbestos. If you’re planning on doing renovations or a routine checkup, it’s vital to know the locations of these hotspots beforehand and work with an asbestos removalist or an asbestos removal company. Asbestos removal services perform inspections first before taking any other further actions to make the process as safe as possible.

• Storage rooms and basements: Out-of-sight areas like these can harbour asbestos. Make sure to inspect them as they might have been overlooked in previous checks.
• Boiler rooms and heating systems: Asbestos is commonly found in boiler rooms and around heating systems due to its heat-resistant properties.
• Electrical rooms and switchboards: Its fire-resistant property also made asbestos ideal for use in electrical areas to reduce fire risks. Pay attention to these spaces, as their likelihood of having asbestos is high.
• Older garages and sheds: These structures, sometimes forgotten, can also contain asbestos, particularly in roofing or wall materials. Checking these areas thoroughly can help identify any hidden asbestos.

Keeping these areas in check is an important step in managing the safety of older buildings. Regular inspections by companies offering asbestos removal services can help identify and address any asbestos-related issues.

Asbestos in renovation and demolition

Renovating or demolishing older properties can be challenging because asbestos was a common construction material in the past. Knowing what’s involved can help improve the safety of everyone involved in the project.

First, understanding the risks when you renovate or demolish a building that used asbetos. Renovating or demolishing can disturb asbestos, and results in harmful fibres being released into the air, affecting the lung. Asbestos fibres in the air, when inhaled, can result in asbestosis, a chronic lung disease.

Then there’s the legal side. In Australia, there are strict laws for asbestos assessment since it’s harzardous material. So, before you start swinging hammers, ensure you’re up to speed with these regulations, which include doing proper inspections to avoid legal headaches.

Here are some relevant regulations to keep in mind:

• Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations: Do you have a commercial property built before 2003? These regulations require that any commercial property built before that year must have an asbestos register. If asbestos fibres are present, an asbestos management plan is also required.
• Asbestos removal licensing: In Australia, asbestos removal is done by licensed professionals An asbestos removal licence for removalists can be Class A (for all types of asbestos, including friable and non-friable) and Class B (for non-friable asbestos).
• Notification requirements: For significant asbestos removal work, the relevant state or territory workplace health and safety body must be notified before the work begins.
• Asbestos disposal regulations: Due to the dangers asbestos pose, disposing it anywhere is strictly prohibited. Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a licensed facility. It’s illegal to reuse, recycle, or illegally dump asbestos products.
• Training requirements: Workers involved in asbestos removal have undergone complete specialised training. They hold appropriate qualifications to ensure safe handling and compliance with safety standards.
• Air monitoring and health surveillance: For certain types of asbestos work, air monitoring and health surveillance of workers may be required to ensure that exposure levels are within safe limits.

These laws are in place to protect workers, removalists, residents, and the general public from the dangers of asbestos, including lung cancer. And while compliance is a legal requirement, it’s also important to remember that these regulations help ensure health and safety.

Keep in mind, too, that removing asbestos isn’t a DIY job. It requires professional handling and disposal. Ensuring you have the right team for the job is key to keeping everyone safe from cancer and other complications.

When dealing with older buildings, managing what’s already there is a serious concern, not just building or tearing something down. Staying informed, being safe, and following regulations ensure a safer environment for everyone.

Conclusion

Due to the widespread use of asbestos materials in Australia in the past, older structures are likely to contain asbestos fibres. This blog identifies and enumerates the hotspots where asbestos is typically found in buildings and properties for their proper disposal during a building renovation or demolition.  Remember, the regulations are there to safeguard the health of everyone involved.