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Dealing with asbestos

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a strong fibrous mineral, which can resist heat and chemicals. It was most commonly used in building materials between the 1950's and 1980's. Products containing asbestos can look the same as those that do not.

Where could asbestos be found in my home?

Exterior of building:

 

  • roof sheets and tiles
  • fascia boards
  • exterior cladding
  • guttering and drain pipes.

 

Interior surfaces:

 

  • textured wall and ceiling coatings (e.g. artex)
  • duct panels (access to pipe work)
  • infill panels (above, below or next to doorways/windows)
  • panels behind radiators/heaters
  • floor tiles
  • suspended ceiling panels
  • underside of stairs.

 

Other items:

 

  • insulation to boilers / water heaters
  • boiler flue pipes
  • storage radiators
  • bath panels
  • fireplace panels
  • panels to underside of sink
  • water tank
  • pipe lagging
  • garage and shed roofs.

 

Am I at risk?

You will not be at risk if products that contain asbestos are undisturbed and undamaged. If they do become damaged or deteriorate, then you and others may be at risk.

DIY activities such as sanding or drilling may disturb and possibly damage products containing asbestos. Please seek advice from our Asbestos Monitoring Department before carrying out any such work on any material you suspect may contain asbestos.

It should be emphasised that asbestos does not present a hazard to health provided it is in good condition, however where asbestos is damaged we will deal with it in a safe and appropriate way.

Brent Housing Partnership assures tenants and leaseholders that it follows all the rules and regulations concerning asbestos very strictly, and that your health and safety is our most important consideration.

What is BHP doing about the problem?

BHP will reduce the exposure of asbestos (as far as possible), for its tenants, their visitors and contractors working on the properties.


 

BHP will do this by:

 

  • Carrying out surveys to identify asbestos containing material in all council owned communal (shared) areas and individual dwellings when deemed necessary
  • compiling and maintaining a comprehensive asbestos register
  • assessing the risk from materials containing asbestos in all of its properties where known
  • developing and implementing arrangements to manage the risk arising from materials containing asbestos
  • providing information about the presence, location and condition of materials containing asbestos to any persons who will potentially be exposed to asbestos or to tenants on request
  • ensuring that the appropriate actions are taken by any persons who are likely to disturb materials containing asbestos including staff, contractors and consultants.

 

I am a leaseholder / freeholder - what should I do?

Under the terms of your lease you are responsible for all fixtures and fittings within your property which includes artex and floor tiles. Brent Housing Partnership remains responsible for the building structure and communal areas. Items you suspect contain asbestos are best left in place if in good condition. For example, if you wish to lay carpet instead of floor tiles, lay it directly on top, but use tape to hold it down instead of carpet grippers.

If you would like to remove asbestos materials we recommend that you contact an asbestos removal contractor liscensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out the removal, or contact the following for advice on what asbestos you can remove without the use of a liscenced asbestos removal contractor.

 

 

If you do remove or seal asbestos as described, we ask you to inform future owners and our Leasehold Management Department if you are a leaseholder or a freeholder on an estate so that this information can be passed on.

Tenant advice

 

  • Asbestos containing materials which are in good condition and not disturbed do not pose a risk to your health
  • try to ensure that anything you suspect may contain asbestos remains in good condition
  • before carrying out any structual DIY work always consult BHP to seek advice. You may need permission under the terms of your tenancy.

 

When carrying out decorating remember the following:
 

  • Always soak wallpaper before removing, if possible use a steam stripper and then gently peel away the paper before redecorating
  • don't try to remove old floor tiles or linoleum. Leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them
  • don't try to remove textured coatings from ceilings. Wash any areas of flaking paint before re-painting.

 

Remember, asbestos containing materials are safe when in good condition and undisturbed.

Contact us

If you have any further asbestos queries you can contact BHP's Contract Monitoring Department on:

 

Updated 06/05/2009 03:15:33 PM