Asbestos insulating boards and the problems with their removal

Asbestos Insulating Board

Asbestos insulating boards are boards that have a high asbestos content usually containing Amosite (Brown) and can also contain Chrysotile (White) asbestos. When you look at an unpainted board you can see the asbestos fibres. The boards can be easily damaged and can easily release asbestos fibres.

They tend to be off white or grey in colour, depending on how much asbestos they contain. Older board can contain Crocidolite (Blue) asbestos which can easily been seen in unsealed boards.

Where were asbestos insulating boards used?

The boards were used all over because they were so versatile. It is amazing how much they were used and the locations they were used in. Sometimes there is no obvious reason as to why the material is present which is a problem in itself for asbestos surveyors.

It was used as a liner, panelling, fire breaks, glass buildings, packaging, flooring, windows. Due to its versatile use it was used for anything and everywhere. Most commonly, the boards were used in ceiling tiles and this is a big area of concern in this country.

As it was often employed as a fire protector it was extensively used in buildings such as schools, hospitals, factories, warehouses, offices and even houses.

In houses, it was predominantly used around boilers, heating systems and electrics – anywhere which could be a fire risk. Warm air units would be lined and all the vents and ducts would be lined with asbestos insulation boards. The warm air blowing through the ducting is blowing across the asbestos which has its own problems.

How were asbestos insulating boards installed?

It was installed along the same lines as timber is installed – screwed, nailed, glued and even laid in grids. Generally speaking, carpenters would tend to be the ones to saw them, fix them and install them.

How do we remove asbestos insulating boards?

Generally, this work needs to be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor, under fully controlled conditions and the local enforcing authority will need to be notified. An asbestos enclosure is constructed and the removal takes place in a negative pressure environment. It is vital that the correct decontamination procedures are used and that all asbestos removal contractors wear appropriate person protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

The process varies depending on the application, how it was used and how was it fixed.  Like all asbestos, you need to supress the material. Handheld sprayers are used to make sure it is damp to reduce the release of any fibres. If you have a ceiling that has been screwed and painted over the contractor will need to use magnets to locate the screw heads and then remove the screws whilst shallow vacuuming.

Once the board have been removed, the area is fully decontaminated and air tests are carried out to ensure the area is free of contamination. Asbestos insulating board waste is then transported to an authorised asbestos waste centre.

On occasions, you can remove a whole loose board without disturbing it and that may be considered non-licensed work but generally this work would be enclosed works and a removal licence is required.

What issues do you face when you remove asbestos insulating boards?

You need to consider how it was installed in the first place. If it was drilled in situ, dust and debris may have formed and gone into wall voids and ceiling voids. You also have to consider how the material may have been treated over the years when other work has gone on. We have seen electricians hammer through the board and then dust and debris is left sitting on the surface below.

When tiles are removed from a painted asbestos insulating board, the paint sticks to the grid the tiles were on. Left behind will be residue stuck from the tile onto the grid. You may be able to remove the tile whole but if it breaks off, you end up with insulating board stuck on that paint.

Occasionally, people will want to keep their old tracking for their new tiles to go in, but sometimes demolition is needed and the tracking will get broken. Tracking might need to be removed to get to asbestos otherwise the area is not going to be left in a safe state.

With asbestos removal, sometimes there are surprises. When you are taking down ceilings, you can’t 100% know what’s above the ceiling until you start work. You may find services in the ceiling void which will lead to additional cleaning and decontamination works. Additional items left in the asbestos enclosure will add time on to the 4 stage clearance as all of these items will need to be visually inspected by the asbestos analyst to ensure they are free from all dust and debris prior to the certificate of reoccupation being issued.

We’re a professional asbestos consultancy helping businesses deal with asbestos compliance using asbestos surveysasbestos testing, and asbestos removal. Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. If you would like further information or advice on asbestos and asbestos training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or email info@acorn-as.com

Neil Munro

I work in a dual role at Acorn Analytical Services focused primarily on growing and leading the business from our Northampton office base. My focus is on overseeing all sales, marketing and financial activities from Northampton. I assist clients with high-level asbestos management strategies and training. Together with Ian Stone I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I'm Co-author of Asbestos The Dark Arts and Fear and Loathing of Health and Safety.

Need Help? Request a Call Back

Request a call back from one of our expert Asbestos Consultants who will help you identify what you need

More Asbestos Articles

Asbestos consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, will be raising money for Mesothelioma UK

Asbestos consultancy gears up for 24-hour fundraising challenge

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been an avid supporter of Mesothelioma UK, the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people affected by this deadly disease. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres and shockingly still kills around 5,000 people each year in the UK – … Read more

Asbestos Surveyors

The Ultimate Guide to Asbestos Surveyors: Why Your Safety Depends on It

Asbestos, once a ‘miracle material’, now poses severe health risks. Uncover the significance of asbestos surveys in the UK and why your safety depends on it.

Asbestos: Having the right consultancy in your corner has never been more important

‘Having the right consultancy to help you manage asbestos has never been more important’

A REPORT written by asbestos expert and director of Acorn Analytical Services, Ian Stone, has highlighted the worrying state of asbestos in the UK. The Annual Asbestos Industry Review provides a unique insight into the industry and a snapshot of the work being done by Acorn Analytical Services – one of the largest independent consultancies … Read more

Management of asbestos in schools

Management of Asbestos in Schools: A Comprehensive Analysis

In this blog post, we delve into the critical issue of asbestos management in UK schools, the recent HSE report, and the role of Acorn Analytical Services in ensuring safe learning environments.

Asbestos: Dispelling 3 common myths

Is your business fully compliant with the latest asbestos regulations?

HOW much do you really know about asbestos? If your building was built before 1999, have you ever had it checked? If you know it’s there, do you know for sure that you’re compliant with the latest rules and regulations around asbestos management? If the answer to either of these questions is ‘no’ it’s time … Read more

Asbestos in fire

Act Now: Uncover the Silent Perils of Asbestos in Fire-Damaged Buildings – A Deep Dive into the Brighton Hotel Incident

Asbestos in fire situations poses significant health risks. Understand the dangers, especially in textured coatings, and the need for expert remediation.

Acorn Analytical Services director Ian Stone has worked in the asbestos industry for 20 years.

#ActNowOnAsbestos: How our FREE training sessions will help raise awareness

ASBESTOS is firmly in the headlines once again and we’re delighted to see an open and very frank discussion finally taking place about the material itself, the risks around mesothelioma and the steps we should all be taking to protect ourselves. At Acorn Analytical Services it’s something we’ve been talking about for years and as … Read more

Asbestos: Having the right consultancy in your corner has never been more important

‘Supporting #ActNowOnAsbestos is the right thing for us to do’

Last weekend The Sunday Times launched #ActNowOnAsbestos, a hard-hitting campaign which urges the Government to take urgent action to protect people from the UK’s asbestos epidemic. The campaign makes important recommendations to help protect members of the public from the hidden dangers of asbestos, which poses a serious threat to our health and wellbeing more … Read more

Ian Stone, director of asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services

‘We finally have hope – hope that those in authority will take notice, take action and save lives’

Media statement in response to the launch of the Sunday Times Campaign, Act Now on Asbestos: Ian Stone, Director of Acorn Analytical Services, said: “For ten years Acorn Analytical Services has been on the front line of the UK’s battle with asbestos, banging the drum for change and fighting to raise awareness of the sheer … Read more

Using our success to highlight the dangers of asbestos

How we’re using our success to drive home the dangers of asbestos

The whole team at asbestos consultancy Acorn Analytical Services was over the moon to walk away with not one, but two awards at the prestigious Northamptonshire SME Awards earlier this month. Directors Neil Munro, Paul Knights and Sam Savage were in Daventry for the event which celebrates the work of businesses across Northamptonshire and their … Read more