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Ahmad Shendi

Where is asbestos hidden within a commercial building?

Updated: Apr 15




Asbestos could be located in a wide range of places within a commercial building. The hard-wearing and fire-resistant properties of asbestos meant that it was commonly used in places that may get hot or wet.

This includes:


  • Interior and exterior walls

  • Roofs

  • Flooring, especially lino flooring in wet areas (bathrooms, laundry, toilet, kitchen)

  • Insulation and lagging

  • Hot water tanks

  • Ceilings

  • Gutters and downpipes

  • Lift shafts

  • Water pipes internally

  • Electrical fuse boards

  • Around windows and door frames

  • The centre of fire doors.

Asbestos could be found in water piping, fence cement sheeting, and in soil. It may also be found in electrical telecommunication pits.


Asbestos can also be found as part of fencing, pipes running water to the building, and in soil. It could even hide in telecommunications or electrical pits.


The below image gives you an overview of asbestos locations within your commercial building:


asbestos inside industrial building
Commercial building asbestos locations

If you are in doubt as to whether a part of your building contains asbestos or not, err on the side of caution and assume it does and commission an asbestos management survey. Asbestos Management Surveys are carried out to identify the presence of any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within a building that could be disturbed during normal occupancy. This would be followed by carrying out an asbestos management plan which is a requirement under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, which states that business owners have a duty to ensure that an Asbestos Management Plan is in place for their buildings where asbestos is likely to be discovered.


Furthermore, if you are planning renovation or demolition works and your building was built prior to the year 2000, it is obligatory under the asbestos legislation to carry out an asbestos survey prior to commencing refurbishment or demolition works.


AirSafe can assist you with all your commercial asbestos building needs. Get in touch now.




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