Asbestos was widely used in building materials during the 20th century for its durability and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. However, its fibres pose severe health risks, leading to regulations that require safe removal and management.
In this blog, we’ll explore what asbestos is, where it’s commonly found in buildings, how to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), the health risks involved, and what to do if your building contains ACM. Rapid Asbestos Removals is here to ensure that your building is safely inspected and cleared of any hazardous asbestos materials.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of thin, flexible fibres that are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. This made asbestos highly valuable in construction, especially in fireproofing and insulation products.
However, when asbestos is disturbed and becomes airborne asbestos fibres, it can be inhaled, causing serious illnesses like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Due to the severe health risks, asbestos was banned in many countries, including Australia. However, many older buildings may still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), which can degrade over time and pose risks to the occupants.
Where is asbestos found in buildings?
If your building was constructed before the late 1980s in Australia, there is a high probability that it contains asbestos. However, even if it was built in 2003 or earlier there is a slight chance it may still contain asbestos materials.
Asbestos was used in many materials and products, making it difficult to pinpoint without proper inspection. Below are some common places you might find asbestos in a building:
- Roofing and insulation: Asbestos was frequently used in roofing materials and insulation products.
- Floor tiles and adhesives: Many vinyl floor tiles, adhesives, and linoleum products contain asbestos.
- Cement products: Cement sheeting, pipes, and gutters often contained asbestos to improve durability.
- Textured paints and coatings: Certain textured wall coatings and paints contained asbestos to improve durability.
- Lagging on pipes and boilers: Asbestos was used to insulate and protect against heat in pipes and boilers.
- Fireproofing materials: Some fire doors, walls, and panels in older buildings contain asbestos to prevent the spread of fire.
Knowing where asbestos might be present is critical to keeping your property safe. If you suspect that any part of your building contains ACM, you should avoid disturbing the material and contact a licensed asbestos removal company such as Rapid Asbestos Removals for a proper inspection and safe handling of the asbestos.
Identifying asbestos: “This building contains ACM”
ACM stands for Asbestos-Containing Materials, and this phrase can be found on signs or warnings within older buildings. It serves as a notification that materials in the building contain asbestos, and extra precautions are needed to avoid disturbing these materials.
Buildings with ACM are not necessarily dangerous as long as the asbestos remains undisturbed and intact. However, any damage to the materials can release harmful fibres into the air. In cases where building renovations, demolitions, or maintenance are planned, the asbestos must be professionally managed or removed.
What should you do if your building contains ACM?
If you see a warning that “this building contains ACM,” the first step is to contact a licensed asbestos removal specialist like Rapid Asbestos Removals. They can conduct an asbestos inspection to determine the extent of the asbestos contamination and recommend the best course of action. Here are some steps you should follow:
- Do not disturb the material: Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is disturbed. Avoid any activities that could break or damage asbestos-containing materials and release asbestos fibres.
- Arrange for an inspection by a licenced asbestos assessor: Rapid Asbestos Removals can perform a comprehensive asbestos inspection to identify and assess all ACMs in your building. Our licensed asbestos assessor will determine whether the material is friable asbestos or non-friable asbestos and whether a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence is required.
- Consider an asbestos management plan: If your building contains asbestos that does not need immediate removal, Rapid Asbestos Removals can create an asbestos management plan to monitor and manage the ACM safely.
- Safe removal if required: If removal is necessary, Rapid Asbestos Removals will ensure that the asbestos is safely and professionally extracted, protecting everyone on-site from exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
- Ongoing monitoring: If asbestos is left in place, regular monitoring by a competent person is essential to ensure that the asbestos material remains undisturbed and safe.
Health risks of asbestos exposure
The health risks associated with asbestos exposure are serious and long-lasting. When asbestos materials are damaged, airborne fibres can be inhaled and get lodged in the lungs, causing scarring and diseases that may not appear until years later. Some of the health conditions caused by asbestos exposure include:
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition that causes scarring of lung tissue.
- Mesothelioma: A rare but aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest, or abdomen.
- Lung cancer: Inhaled asbestos fibres increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
- Pleural thickening: A condition where the lining of the lung thickens, making breathing difficult.
Given the severe health consequences, it’s essential to handle asbestos with extreme caution. Buildings containing ACM must be managed by trained professionals to minimise exposure.
Why choose Rapid Asbestos Removals?
At Rapid Asbestos Removals, we specialise in commercial asbestos removal and residential asbestos removal, ensuring that your building is safe and compliant with all regulations. Our experienced team offers a range of services, including:
- Asbestos inspections: We provide thorough inspections to identify any asbestos-containing materials in your building.
- Asbestos management plans: We help you safely manage ACM in your building if removal is not immediately necessary.
- Safe removal and disposal: Our team ensures that all asbestos is removed and disposed of in accordance with strict safety regulations.
- Compliance and certification: After asbestos removal, we provide certification that your building is free from hazardous materials, ensuring peace of mind and compliance with all legal requirements.
Asbestos in your building? Contact Rapid Asbestos Removals
Asbestos in a building is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and professional management. If you’ve discovered that your building contains ACM, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Rapid Asbestos Removals is here to ensure that your building is safe, and all asbestos is managed or removed in compliance with health and safety regulations.
Don’t take risks with asbestos. Contact Rapid Asbestos Removals today for a thorough inspection and expert advice on managing asbestos in your building. Your safety is our priority.
For more information or to book an inspection, visit our website Rapid Asbestos Removals.
FAQs about asbestos in buildings
When a building contains ACM (Asbestos-Containing Material), it means that certain construction materials within the building include asbestos. These materials should not be disturbed without professional assessment and removal by a licensed asbestos removalist.
Yes, it can be safe to live in a building that contains asbestos as long as the asbestos is not disturbed. However, if asbestos-containing materials are damaged, fibres can be released into the air and pose health risks.
The only way to be sure if your building contains asbestos is through a professional inspection. Rapid Asbestos Removals can assess your building and test materials to determine whether ACM is present.
No, asbestos removal should only be carried out by licensed professionals. DIY removal can result in exposure to asbestos fibres, which can be deadly. Professional asbestos removal companies like Rapid Asbestos Removals ensure the process is safe and compliant with regulations.
If you accidentally disturb asbestos in your building, you should immediately evacuate the area and contact an asbestos removal company like Rapid Asbestos Removals. They will assess the situation and safely remove any hazardous materials.
The cost of asbestos removal varies depending on the size and complexity of the project. Rapid Asbestos Removals offers competitive pricing and will provide you with a detailed quote after an initial assessment.
