Asbestos Types and Where Found

There are three main types of asbestos found in UK buildings: chrysotile (white), amosite (brown), and crocidolite (blue).
Chrysotile is the most commonly used type, found in cement products, textured coatings, floor tiles, and roof sheets.
Amosite was used extensively for thermal insulation, insulating boards, ceiling tiles, and pipe lagging in older buildings.
Crocidolite is the most dangerous type and was used for pipe insulation, spray coatings, and some cement products.
Asbestos was used in over 3,000 building products in the UK before its final ban in 1999.
Any building constructed or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials somewhere.
Common locations include pipe insulation, boiler rooms, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, textured coatings, and roof sheets.
Less obvious locations include behind electrical panels, inside fire doors, in window putty, and within floor adhesives.
Asbestos that is in good condition and left undisturbed does not pose an immediate risk to health.
The danger arises when asbestos is disturbed, damaged, drilled, cut, or broken, releasing microscopic fibres into the air.

Know what to look for	Recognising the common types and locations of asbestos helps you avoid disturbing it during refurbishment and demolition work.
Everywhere in old buildings	Asbestos was used in thousands of products — it can be in almost any material in a pre-2000 building.
Disturbing it kills	Intact asbestos is manageable — but drilling, cutting, or breaking it releases lethal fibres that cause cancer and mesothelioma.

Do

Don't

Check the asbestos register for the building before carrying out any intrusive work.
Learn to recognise the common materials and locations where asbestos is typically found.
Assume any suspect material in a pre-2000 building could contain asbestos until tested.
Stop work and report if you discover material that looks like it may contain asbestos.
Leave suspected asbestos-containing materials completely undisturbed until tested.
Attend asbestos awareness training and keep your certificate current.
Note that asbestos in good condition may be managed in place — do not disturb it.
Check behind panels, inside ducts, and around pipes before drilling or cutting.
Request laboratory testing of any suspect material before continuing with the task.
Follow the asbestos management plan and respect all asbestos labels and markings.

DON'T drill, cut, sand, or break any material you suspect may contain asbestos.
DON'T assume a building is asbestos-free without checking the asbestos register first.
DON'T rely on appearance alone — only laboratory analysis can confirm asbestos content.
DON'T ignore suspect materials — stop work and report them immediately.
DON'T touch, sweep, or vacuum suspected asbestos dust or debris with normal equipment.
DON'T carry out refurbishment work without current asbestos awareness training.
DON'T damage or disturb asbestos that is in good condition and being managed in place.
DON'T carry out intrusive work behind panels or ceilings without checking for asbestos.
DON'T dispose of suspected asbestos waste in normal site skips or waste containers.
DON'T remove asbestos warning labels or markings from identified materials.

See also: Asbestos Awareness | Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys

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