When the time comes for you to call in an asbestos removal company, the number of choices may become baffling, and you may fear being bombarded with all the asbestos-related jargon when calling around for asbestos removal (residential or commercial) prices or advice. Before you start looking around, why not check out our handy Jargon Buster Guide so you can feel more prepared, or just get some more knowledge on Asbestos!
Types of Asbestos and its various descriptions
There are 6 types of asbestos; however, we have listed the most common 3, which you are likely to come across:
White Asbestos – Also known as Chrysotile
Most commonly found in roofs, ceilings, walls, floors of homes. brake linings, gaskets, boiler seals, pipes, ducts
Brown Asbestos – Also known as Amosite
Most commonly found in cement sheets, pipe insulation, insulating board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation products
Blue Asbestos – Also known as Crocidolite
Most commonly found in Pipe Insulation, Spray-on Coatings, plastics, and cement products
If you wanted to learn more about the various types, we have a more in-depth guide here on the types of asbestos.
Other terms used when describing Asbestos
ACM: Asbestos Containing Material. This is a generic term used for any material, such as a floor tile or sheet of roofing,
AIB: Short for Asbestos Insulation Board, a common asbestos-containing material used in walls, ceilings, soffits, fireproofing, partitions and service risers. It is often more dangerous than asbestos cement because it is softer, more friable, and more likely to release fibres if it is damaged, drilled, cut or disturbed.
Friable: Friability is how easily the material breaks down, crumbles, or chips. When asbestos is damaged or disturbed, it releases asbestos into the air. The more friable the material, the more fibres are released into the air, and the more dangerous it is. Asbestos with a high concentration of asbestos fibres is more harmful to health and more likely to be friable.
- Examples of Friable Asbestos: thermal insulation, pipe lagging, sprayed coatings, loose-fill and insulation, and boards.
Non-friable asbestos is more resistant to damage and abrasion, therefore less likely to release asbestos into the air. Non-friable asbestos cannot easily be disturbed. Bonded Asbestos is another term for non-friable asbestos.
- Examples of Non-Friable Asbestos: Vinyl Floor Tiles, Bitumen, Cement Sheets, Cement Pipes and Textured Decorative Coating (Artex).
Loose Fill Insulation: A loose, fluffy insulation material that was poured or blown into lofts, cavity walls and under floorboards to reduce heat loss. It is considered one of the most hazardous asbestos-containing materials because it is not firmly bound into a solid product, so fibres can be released into the air very easily if disturbed. It may appear white, grey or blue-grey and can look similar to cotton wool, candy floss, or small fibrous clumps
Asbestos Cement: A hard product that contains approx 15% asbestos fibres which can be chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite. Common examples of asbestos cement are roof sheets, wall cladding and rainwater goods. Here’s how you can tell if cement contains asbestos.
Terms used for Asbestos Removal Services
Sample Testing: When a sample of material is taken from a property to be tested, by an Accredited Laboratory for the presence of asbestos fibres.
Asbestos Surveys: We offer four types of asbestos surveys depending on the property and the work being carried out. These are Asbestos Management Surveys, Asbestos Refurbishment Surveys, Asbestos Demolition Surveys and Reinspection Surveys.
- An Asbestos Management Survey is used to identify any asbestos-containing materials that could be disturbed during the normal use of a building. This is usually a less intrusive survey, where samples are taken from suspected materials to confirm if asbestos is present and what type it may be. Once identified, the asbestos can then be monitored and managed safely.
- An Asbestos Homebuyer Survey is designed for people who are buying a property and want to know if asbestos may be present before they complete the purchase. It helps identify visible or suspected asbestos-containing materials and gives buyers a clearer understanding of any potential risk, likely recommendations and possible next steps.
- An Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey is a more intrusive survey carried out before major refurbishment work or demolition. It is used to identify asbestos in the areas affected by the planned works so it can be managed or removed safely before work begins.
- An Asbestos Reinspection Survey is carried out when asbestos-containing materials have already been identified. The purpose of the survey is to check their condition over time and confirm whether they remain safe to manage or whether further action may be needed.
Asbestos Register: Produced following an asbestos survey that has been completed. An asbestos register is a schedule of all identified ACMS in a property, including type, location, and condition as well as areas that were not accessible during the survey. The asbestos register should be provided to any persons carrying out any works on a property to ensure they are not disturbing asbestos unknowingly.
Asbestos Management Plan: The plan provides details of how asbestos within a property is to be managed following an asbestos survey. The plan shall include the asbestos register, a site plan, who is responsible for managing asbestos, plans for work on asbestos materials, the schedule for monitoring asbestos materials condition and telling people about your decision.
Air Testing: Is a process carried out to detect the level of asbestos fibres within the air. Air is drawn through a filter over a period of time, and particles are then collected and analysed by a qualified asbestos analyst.
Asbestos Encapsulation: A method of managing asbestos without removing it. This involves sealing, coating or covering the asbestos-containing material to help prevent fibres from being released into the air if the material is in a stable condition.
Licensed Asbestos Disposal Site: A site that is authorised by the local authority to accept and safely dispose of asbestos waste. Asbestos must be taken to the correct type of waste facility and handled in line with strict rules to reduce the risk of fibre release and environmental contamination. At Smart Asbestos, we are asbestos removal experts with a licensed asbestos disposal site in Nottingham.
UKAS Accreditation: A recognised standard that shows a laboratory, inspection body or surveying organisation has been independently assessed as competent to carry out specific asbestos-related work. It gives customers added confidence that testing, surveying or inspection work is being completed to an approved standard.