If your corrugated or flat sheet fence contains asbestos, licensed asbestos removal professionals should inspect and remove it. The deterioration of the material can release dangerous, noxious fibers. Visit Website to learn more.
Removal
In many areas of Australia, it’s common to find asbestos lining and fencing on old homes. While it’s illegal to use in new construction, asbestos was widely used throughout the 1980s and earlier to provide fire resistance to building materials. Unfortunately, many people still have this material around their home and it needs to be removed for safety reasons. If your old fence is made from asbestos, it’s important to seek professional help with removal and disposal.
The best way to tell if a fence contains asbestos is by looking at the capping. The colour is usually a light brown and it features seven ridges. If the capping is damaged or cracked, it could be releasing dangerous asbestos into the air. The fencing itself may also contain asbestos, especially if it is in poor condition.
A qualified asbestos assessor can inspect your property and determine whether or not the fence is a risk to you and your family. However, there are several factors that need to be considered to determine if asbestos fence removal is necessary. These include the degree of weathering, physical damage and the vertical lean of the fence.
It’s also important to note that most asbestos found in residential properties is non-friable. This type of asbestos is commonly used for internal walls, external cladding, and roofing. However, the removal of non-friable asbestos should only be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removalist.
During interviews with removalists and EHOs, it was revealed that most in situ asbestos remaining in the Australian built environment is non-friable. This is because most of it is still in good condition. In contrast, the majority of friable asbestos was used in industrial applications and is more likely to have deteriorated or been damaged.
While non-friable asbestos can be removed by a licensed tradie, it’s always preferable to have a qualified asbestos removalist do the job. They will have the necessary tools and equipment to safely remove your fence, ensuring that any asbestos fibres are contained. Trying to DIY non-friable asbestos removal can lead to contamination and a costly clean up process.
Demolition
It’s important to remember that asbestos can be dangerous even in its undisturbed state. It releases microscopic fibres which, when inhaled, can cause lung diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. When a fence contains asbestos and is damaged, it’s vital that the materials be removed and replaced with something safer. This is why you should always leave the removal of asbestos fences to professionals who will ensure that all key government health standards are met during the process.
Before a building can be destroyed, an asbestos assessment must be undertaken by a licensed inspector and completed prior to the demolition commencing. All areas of the dwelling which are to be demolished, including walls, ceilings, floors, water tanks, furnaces, stoves, ducting and insulation should be examined.
During the demolition process, all potential asbestos materials must be placed in a sealed bag to contain any fibres that might be released. In addition, any power tools used during the demolition must be switched off when not in use, and all rubbish must be disposed of regularly to avoid release of asbestos fibres. Finally, all workers who are removing asbestos from a building must wear protective equipment. This includes a face mask with two straps, disposable coveralls with a hood and safety glasses or goggles.
Once the demolition has been completed, any rubbish and waste must be collected by a licenced asbestos removalist and taken to an approved landfill site. Alternatively, asbestos-containing material can be disposed of at a local transfer station, where it will be treated and recycled into something useful.
It’s also worth noting that asbestos can be found in a variety of other household items. Generally, this is due to the fact that it was commonly used as insulation in house roof spaces. While loose asbestos in roof space is not considered a risk, it’s best to have any insulation inspected and tested by a licensed assessor before removing it. This way, you can be confident that the material is safe to dispose of.
Disposal
Asbestos is a dangerous substance and one that should never be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. It is often used in house roof spaces as insulation material but it can also be found in old fences around homes. If you are not sure whether your asbestos fence in Perth contains the hazardous fibre, then it is essential to get a professional inspection and test done. This will provide you with conclusive evidence one way or another.
When assessing the condition of an asbestos fence, it is important to consider how physical damage has affected the overall structure. This is because any physical damage on a fencing system can cause it to collapse, potentially releasing noxious asbestos fibres into the surrounding area. Generally, the more damage an asbestos fence has suffered, the higher its risk of collapsing. The amount of physical damage can also be a good indication that the fence is coming to the end of its life and should be removed.
If a fence is considered in a fair condition, it may still be safe to remain in place provided it is not damaged further. It should be monitored and repaired regularly to prevent any deterioration in the future, however, this should be seen as a temporary measure and not an alternative to removal.
An average asbestos fence will exhibit visible signs of slight weathering with a breakdown of the cement matrix and the exposure of some asbestos fibres. It will have several minor breakages and some larger cracks and holes. It will also be leaning and may have a moss growth on its surface.
Poor asbestos fences can be very dangerous and will exhibit a lot of deterioration with numerous broken panels, large holes and the potential to have been burnt. These fences require immediate removal and disposal as they are likely to have released a significant amount of toxic asbestos fibres into the surrounding environment.
During the process of asbestos fence removal, all waste should be double bagged and wetted to minimise the release of fibres. It should then be placed into a leak-proof, plastic container and disposed of at an approved landfill. Some landfills require specific handling requirements so homeowners should contact them prior to arriving with the asbestos waste.
Cleaning
If a property has asbestos fences on it then the fencing should be cleaned immediately. This process is best done by a licensed asbestos removal company. Leaving the fences to deteriorate or crumble will make the toxic fibres airborne and they could be inhaled into people’s lungs. This can lead to illnesses such as lung cancer and asbestosis. The only way to ensure that the asbestos is completely removed is to have it professionally disposed of.
If you are a tradesperson and are carrying out a renovation on any structure that contains asbestos then you are required by law to follow safe work practices. These ensure that the asbestos fibres are not released into the air during the job and also when the task is completed. These rules include avoiding breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding or vibrating non-friable asbestos material. It is also illegal to use a power tool without attaching it to a dust-collecting device equipped with HEPA filters.
When removing asbestos cement sheeting or other materials, they should be stacked and double wrapped in 200 micron thick plastic and clearly labeled as asbestos waste. They should never be thrown in with general waste. Similarly, they should not be brushed or shoveled as the loose particles can become airborne and stick to your clothes or shoes. If you do have to brush or shovel the asbestos then it should be wetted with water using a garden sprayer. The water should have a little bit of liquid soap added to it to help penetrate more effectively.
The water used should not be high pressure. This is because the high pressure breaks down the surface of the material and spreads respirable asbestos residue over a large area including neighbouring properties. This can result in local governments declaring your site as contaminated and imposing additional regulations.
It is not permitted to blow the asbestos with compressed air as this will re-distribute the fibres into the air. It is also not permitted to dry sweep or vacuum the material when it is wet. Instead, it should be wiped down using a damp cloth. Dry sweeping or vacuuming is not permitted because this will cause the asbestos to release its fibres into the air.
