Top 10 Most Popular Commercial Buildings Containing Asbestos
- Factories
- Chemical Plants
- Power Plants
- Schools
- Ships
- Hospitals
- Large Office Buildings
- Tower Blocks or Skyscrapers
- Agricultural Buildings
- Churches and Community Centres
When Was Asbestos Banned?
Structures built or renovated before the year 2000 are likely to contain asbestos. This is because the final ban was not brought in until 1999. This means there are many commercial buildings containing asbestos around the UK.
Asbestos kills around 5000 workers each year. More than the number of people killed on the road. (HSE)
Factories, chemical plants and power plants were constructed using asbestos. As well as refineries, commercial buildings, homes and schools across the UK.
Hundreds of asbestos products were also used in the Shipbuilding industry. Including those used in the Armed Forces. The engine and boiler rooms were constructed using asbestos-containing materials. As well as in the walls, floors and ceilings of sleeping quarters and the galley.
Why Was Asbestos So Popular?
Asbestos has been used for more than 2,000 years. Named by the Ancient Greeks, asbestos means “inextinguishable”.
The harmful effects of asbestos were noticed even then. Many of the slaves that wove the asbestos into cloth developed breathing problems.
Types Of Asbestos
The three main forms of asbestos are; Chrysotile, Crocidolite and Amosite. Otherwise known as white, blue and brown.
Asbestos Prohibition Regulations banned the use of all new forms of this material in 1999.
Many buildings have had asbestos removed and replaced with a more suitable material. However, there a very high number of buildings that still contain asbestos. Most of it remaining undetected.
Building Structures
The likelihood of a building containing asbestos if it has a steel frame is much higher. This is because most steel framed buildings are likely to contain a boiler with thermal insulation. Steel frames were used in construction from around 1885. Skyscrapers and other large buildings were constructed using this technique. One example is The Royal Insurance Building in Liverpool designed by James Francis Doyle. Erected from 1896-1903 the building was the first to use a steel frame in the UK.
Building Age
The most common type of commercial buildings where asbestos remains is those that were built or refurbished between 1950 and 1980. As this was the period of time that asbestos was most used in construction.
Asbestos was very commonly used for roofing from 1890 onwards. Roof slates, cladding and roofing sheets all contained asbestos bonding in the form of cement.
Due to its strength, high heat and weather resistance Asbestos was used in many areas and in many different forms.
Materials Containing Asbestos
Asbestos was used in floor tiles and in sheet form for materials such as linoleum flooring. As insulation for cladding and pipes, and as cement for covering walls.
A mixture of hydrated asbestos cement was also used to spray both structural and non-structural areas of buildings.
“It has been estimated that asbestos may be a component in more than 3,000 different types of materials used in construction.” (Hess, 1998).
Therefore, many areas of buildings may contain asbestos in one form or another.
Over time the structures and materials coated with asbestos spray may break down due to general wear and tear. This gradually releases asbestos fibres into the air. Which is when they can be inhaled and cause health problems.
How To Manage Buildings With Asbestos?
It is now assumed that any building that was constructed before the year 2000 contains asbestos. Unless there is strong evidence pointing otherwise.
With this in mind, there are still thousands of tonnes of asbestos remaining in buildings.
“It is estimated half a million commercial premises may contain asbestos”.
Therefore it is imperative that any maintenance work to pre-2000 buildings is managed with care. If asbestos is disturbed it poses a very real risk to anyone in its vicinity.
WeldLag’s specialist advisory and asbestos management services will tell you all you need to know about managing asbestos.
Contact Us
We will conduct an initial asbestos survey to let you know if asbestos is present. We will then advise if it must be removed, or if it can be contained safely. Our management plan includes complete checks every 6 months.
If you are interested in finding out more get in touch with our friendly team. You can call 01772 981239 or email enquiries@weldlag.co.uk