Friable Asbestos – in plain English, is an asbestos containing material (ACM) that can be pulverized by hand pressure. The lagging around pipes is a good example of a Friable product. Recently Low Density Board (LDB), a product similar in appearance to “Fibro,” that was used for the same applications (wall and ceiling sheeting), has now been reclassified as Friable. LDB can be found in many structures including schools and hospitals.
Friable ACM can only be removed by or under the direct supervision of an “A” class licenced person.
The removal process for Friable ACM is a full encapsulation, with a negative air system and a 5 Stage decontamination unit. An independent NATA Hygienist will conduct Air monitoring, to ensure the integrity of the encapsulation and the removal process meets legislative requirements. Once the removal has been successfully completed, the hygienist will inspect the area and supply a certificate to reoccupy the work area.
Townsville Asbestos Pty Ltd is fully licenced and qualified to remove Friable Asbestos, and boast a 5 stage decontamination unit from the U.K. for use with negative air enclosures. We have 4 ‘A Class’ certified senior site supervisors and multiple ‘B Class’ Asbestos removalists on staff.
(All individual qualifications are available for perusal.)
An example of full encapsulation used in a North Queensland Sugar Mill. This is required to ensure asbestos fibres are not released into the atmosphere during the removal process.
Non-friable Asbestos (Bonded) is an asbestos containing material (ACM) that cannot be pulverized by hand pressure. Fibro sheeting is a good example of Non-Friable Asbestos.
Non-Friable ACM should only be removed by or under the direct supervision of an ‘A Class’ license holder.
The removal process for Non-friable ACM is using a ‘Wet Method’, where the ACM is mist sprayed with water to control the release of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. An independent NATA Hygienist will conduct Air Monitoring, to ensure the removal process meets legislative requirements. Once the removal has been successfully completed, the hygienist will inspect the area and supply a certificate to reoccupy the work area.
Removal of walls, ceiling panels and roofing to a building prior to redevelopment. Townsville Asbestos adheres to all legal requirements and best practices in the safe removal of Asbestos
Asbestos has been used for over 4500 years. It is derived from the Greek Word “Amiantus” meaning unquenchable or inextinguishable. The Ancient Greeks used it for wicks for their lamps and Romans used it to weave into fabrics for nets, towels and head coverings for women.
In medieval times asbestos was used by merchants to make crosses and cited the resistance to fire meant they were made from wood from the “True Cross”.
The Industrial Revolution in Europe and around the world in the 1800′s saw the advent of the use of Asbestos in many manufactured items and uses. It’s resistance to heat meant it was in great demand for its insulation qualities.
Before long Asbestos mines and processing of it’s fibres became a global industry.
In the early 1900′s it was found there was an abnormally high death rate of Asbestos workers dying from many respiratory ailments.
By 1918 many Insurance companies were refusing to issue insurance policies to workers exposed to Asbestos noting the unusually short life spans.
Between 1945 and 1980 Asbestos was widely used in Australia in the Construction Industry as well as in shipyards, power stations, boilers and plumbing. It was widely used in home construction. It was used in Fibro Cement sheets, insulation, fireproofing, pipes, paint, floor coverings, ceiling tiles and roofing materials.
Whilst the link between lung disease and Asbestos was known in the early 1900′s, warnings from health authorities were ignored and companies allowed their workers to be exposed to the risk. The manufacturing industries did nothing to protect their workers from the danger.
It wasn’t until the 1970′s when the wider Australian public were alerted to the dangers of Asbestos use. Gradually mining of Asbestos was phased out, and the manufacturing of products containing Asbestos was ceased.
The use of all forms of Asbestos was banned nationally since 31 December 2003. The ban does not apply to Asbestos installed prior to this date (eg. Asbestos materials used for building).
