Asbestos sheet roof
Heres what an asbestos roof sheet looks like. Characterised by large profile corrugations, and a woven material like appearance. Always be sure not to disturb, and you need to be aware of its existence. We found this at a recent job in Geelong. Asbestos has not been used in domestic building materials since the 1980s but it was not until 31 December, 2003 that asbestos and all products containing asbestos were banned throughout Australia.
How can I tell if it is asbestos?
It is very difficult to identify the presence of asbestos just by looking at it. As a general rule, certain building materials installed before the late 1980s may contain asbestos. However, the only way to be certain is to have a sample of the material analysed by a laboratory.
Contact the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for an analytical laboratory in your area that is accredited to identify asbestos on 03 9329 1633 or by visiting www.nata.asn.au
Confirmation should be carried out before any general maintenance, renovation or demolition activities proceed.
If you do not want to go to the expense of testing to determine if asbestos is present, then the material should be treated as though it contains asbestos.
Places you might find asbestos in your home
Location |
Materials |
| Bathroom, toilet and laundry | Asbestos cement sheeting used in walls, ceilings and floors |
| Hot water pipes set into masonry walls | |
| Lagging on hot water pipes | |
| Living areas | Insulation in wood heaters |
| Asbestos cement sheeting beneath heater hearths | |
| Kitchen | Vinyl floor tiles |
| Backing to cushion vinyl flooring | |
| Hot water pipes set into masonry walls | |
| Exterior | Flat, patterned and corrugated wall and roof sheeting |
| Imitation brick cladding | |
| Lining under eaves | |
| Backyard | Garden sheds |
| Garages and carports | |
| Dog kennels | |
| Vehicles | Brake linings |
| Clutch linings | |
| Adhesive products | |
| Commercial or industrial buildings | Coating sprayed on beams for fireproofing |
| Wrap on pipes and boilers | |
| Sheeting in roofs and walls | |
| Other | Electrical meter boards |
| Ironing board covers | |
| Heatproof mats | |
Trade names applied to asbestos cement products |
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Below is a list of trade names for James Hardie & Co. Pty Ltd. asbestos products in Australia and the approximate year when they stopped being manufactured with asbestos fibre. Asbestos was slowly phased out and around these dates some products manufactured may have contained 3-5% asbestos. [11]
– Hardiflex 1981
– Hardiplank 1981
– Villaboard 1981
– Versilux 1982
– Harditherm 1984
– Compressed 1984
– Drain Pipe 1984
– Super Six 1985
– Highline 1985
– Shadowline 1985
– Coverline 1985
– Roofing Accessories 1985
– Pressure Pipe 1987
