Asbestos Fencing Removal
Do You Require Asbestos Fencing Removal
Asbestos has been used for hundreds of years due to its exceptional properties as a fibrous bonding material and fire resistance. Unfortunately, with this widespread use, the realisation was that asbestos dust causes both cancer and a lung disease called asbestosis. The use of asbestos in construction material was banned during the 1980s in Australia, and we can assist with safe asbestos fencing removal.
How Do I know If My Old Fence Contains Asbestos
If you installed a cement fence during the 1990s using new material, then in all probability, it was made using the much stronger cellulose fibre. But if in doubt, have it checked. For older fences, here are several quick checks to determine whether the wall might contain asbestos and requires replacement as soon as possible, but the rule of thumb is that anything manufactured before the 1990s contains asbestos.
- Count the ridges. The standard asbestos fencing panels used for fencing and roofing have seven ridges per metre, whereas similar cellulose panels have five ridges. The early non-asbestos panels also have seven ridges, so this check will only indicate if the material does not contain asbestos.
- Check the capping. If the fence is capped with the same material as the fence panels, then the fence contains asbestos. The newer panels use a metal cap but note that an old fence could have been recapped, so a metal cap is not an indication of non-asbestos material. When touching the asbestos cap, you should take caution, as it will have eroded considerably, thereby exposing the dangerous asbestos fibres.
- Diamond-shaped washers. The standard was to use diamond-shaped washers when bolting the panels together. Again, this isn’t a guaranteed check because someone could either have found an old box of these washers or replaced the old bolts and washers with newer and rounder ones a few years back.
- Scratches. You cannot scratch an asbestos fence with a fingernail. The newer cellulose fences are prone to scratching, and just gliding a fingernail over it will leave a noticeable mark.
- Writing and markings. If there are still markings by the manufacturer visible, then these might indicate that the panel is free from asbestos.
About Asbestos Fence Removal
Australia is dedicated to becoming asbestos-free by 2030, and governmental regulations are in place to control the process responsibly. One important aspect is that it is illegal for builders, homeowners and tradespersons to remove any material or fixtures containing asbestos without either being licensed to do so or under the strict supervision of an accredited assessor. We can assist you with the following in this regard:
- We are registered and accredited with SafeWork NSW as both an asbestos remover and a qualified asbestos assessor. We can either do the removals for you or assist you with complying with all the necessary legal requirements for the safe removal and disposal of the asbestos fence.
- Upon completing the job, we issue an Asbestos Clearance Certificate that proves the site is now free from asbestos and safe for people and pets.
Contact us for an assessment of your fence, and we’ll quickly determine if it contains asbestos and advise on the best course of action for removing the asbestos fence.