It is very common to find that materials containing Asbestos have been used in buildings more than 25 years old. Asbestos fibres are considered to be extemely dangerous and there are strict regulations regarding Asbestos removal. Older houses in and and around Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan will most likely contain asbestos building products.
In Queensland there are a number of laws relating to building and renovating and there are specific laws designed to protect the health of the general community in relation to asbestos.
There are very strict regulations and safety standards which apply to the removal, handling and disposal of asbestos material and persons engaged in this type of work are required to be licensed (A Class licence or B Class licence) if handling or removing more than 10m2 of asbestos contaminated material.
There are two types of asbestos - bonded and friable (loose). Bonded asbestos consists of a bonding compound (cement) combined with asbestos to form a solid material with the asbestos fibres bound tightly into the material. This is also known as 'fibro' or 'AC sheeting' but there are a number of other products under a variety of names which also contain asbestos.
The following products may contain Asbestos depending on their age:
- Corrugated asbestos roofing
- Wall sheeting
- Ceiling sheeting
- Vinyl Floor Tiles
- Electrical meter board
- Wet areas (bathrooms, toilets) including wall and ceiling lining and underneath floor tiles
- Lining above windows and doors
- Storm Water pipes
- Hot water piping/lagging
- Sheeting under floor tiles
- Insulation in heaters and stoves
- Fire rated doors
- Vinyl floor covering
- Carpet underlay
Information sourced from Work Cover Qld website and Demolition & Asbestos Industry Association (Qld) Inc.
Asbestos Removal Checklist
- Identification – Before Demolition can begin an appropriately licensed asbestos removal contractor must identify if asbestos is present.
- Insurance – The contractor must hold public liability insurance with asbestos inclusion.
- Safe Removal Control Plan – A Plan which will detail the contractor’s process for removal and disposal of asbestos from the site.
- Disposal – The safe disposal of asbestos is strictly governed by the Department of Environment and Science (DES).
- Clearance Certificate – Obtain a clearance certificate from a qualified person other than the person who undertook the asbestos removal work.
Arties Demolition is a qualified asbestos removal contractor with an A Class licence and can perform all the above.
