Asbestos

Asbestos in domestic properties

Asbestos may be present in buildings constructed or refurbished before it was banned in 1999. Asbestos is most likely to be found in these locations:

  • Sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing - generally used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks in ceiling voids and around structural steel work
  • Moulded or pre-formed lagging - generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers
  • Insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts eg panels, partitions, soffit boards and ceiling panels
  • Some ceiling tiles
  • Millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment. Asbestos paper has also been used as a fire-proof facing on wood fibreboard
  • Asbestos cement products, which can be fully or semi-compressed into flat or corrugated sheets.
  • Corrugated sheets are largely used as roofing and wall cladding. Other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks
  • Certain textured coatings
  • Bitumen roofing material
  • Vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles

It is important to ensure that asbestos found in the home is managed appropriately to ensure the safety of your family, friends and neighbours.

  • An assessment should be carried out to highlight any potential asbestos containing materials that are going to be disturbed by the proposed work.
  • If you are unsure whether a material contains asbestos you should have it checked by a competent surveyor or analyst before commencing any work.
  • Once identified, these materials should not be disturbed. If disturbing the asbestos is unavoidable then you should take all measures to reduce dust / fibre levels to a minimum.

Asbestos materials in good condition and that are not vulnerable to damage, are best left where they are as removal can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air. The condition of the asbestos containing materials left in place should be periodically checked to make sure that they have not been damaged or started to deteriorate.

  • Materials which have the potential to release high levels of fibres, such as asbestos lagging and asbestos insulation board, should only be removed by licensed asbestos removal contractors.
  • Less hazardous materials, such as asbestos cement, asbestos floor tiles and asbestos water tanks can be removed relatively safely as long as some simple precautions are taken.

See the Health and Safety Executive's website for advice and guidance on carrying out a range of works with asbestos.


Disposal of asbestos

Asbestos can be taken to some, but not all, of Kent County Council's household waste recycling centres in or close to the Sevenoaks District.  Visit the Kent County Council Rubbish and Recycling webpage or call Kent County Council's Waste Helpline on 03000 41 71 71 to find the centre nearest to you and the correct procedures for handling asbestos at KCC sites.

For large quantities, or if you require a company to dispose of the asbestos, contact the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association for a company near you.