Asbestos in loft

[Electric Magic]

I was asked to move a friend's bedroom light yesterday so went into the loft to inspect the existing circuit and when I lifted up their insulation in search of the cables I found some grey loose bits of insulation, and beneath that was another layer of fairly dirty thin insulation. There is not a working lamp currently in the loft, I was using a lead lamp and so it was hard to get a really good look at it but I thought it might be loose fill asbestos insulation so promptly got out of the loft. I have not come across it before (but then I've not been doing this long and only been in 9 or 10 lofts, and I'm not certain that it is asbestos, perhaps the old insulation has just deteriorated so much it looks like loose fill) but having done a few internet searches since there seems to be no concensus on how widespread use of asbestos containing loose fill insulation was (one website suggested it wasn't used at all in the UK, but the HSE website info would seem to contradict that). I've suggested my friend gets it sampled.

To the time served domestic sparkies out there - have you come across asbestos loose fill insulation in houses that you have worked on?

 

[telectrix]

it's probably shredded paper or blown in fibreglass.

 

[shanky887614]

loose fill asbestos? not heard of that one

which one did it look like?

(that celuose is f ing itchy)

this is loose fill from hse site

im sure ive seen that last one or very similar on a job before



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Asbestos
Why is it dangerous?
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Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity
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Loose fill asbestos

Where do you find this?
This was used to insulate industrial and domestic premises so can be found in between cavity walls, under floorboards and in loft spaces.

What does this look like?
This is a loose, fluffy insulation material (similar to candyfloss), which may be blue-grey or whitish in colour.

 

[Electric Magic]

which one did it look like?

(that celuose is f ing itchy)

From what I could make out with a lead lamp it was most like the one from the HSE website, but not as blue (really hard to be sure about the exact colour given I was using a lead lamp though). I'm hoping it's just dirty fibreglass as per telectrix's comment, or perhaps it could be celuose. I'll update you when my friend gets it tested.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

How old is the house?

 

[telectrix]

loose fill asbestos? not heard of that one

which one did it look like?

(that celuose is f ing itchy)

this is loose fill from hse site

im sure ive seen that last one or very similar on a job before



Rate this pageOne starTwo starsThree starsFour starsFive stars
Share
Free updates
Bookmark
Follow HSE on Twitter:
Asbestos
Why is it dangerous?
Where can you find asbestos?
Common materials that may contain asbestos
Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity
Lagging
Sprayed coatings
Asbestos insulating board (AIB)
Floor tiles, textiles and composites
Textured coatings
Asbestos cement products
Am I at risk?
Frequently asked questions
Asbestos training
Managing and working with asbestos
The duty to manage asbestos
Are you a...?
News
Asbestos Resources
Exemption certificates
Subscribe
Related content
Appointed doctors
Construction
Concrete
Construction design and management
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Loose fill asbestos

Where do you find this?
This was used to insulate industrial and domestic premises so can be found in between cavity walls, under floorboards and in loft spaces.

What does this look like?
This is a loose, fluffy insulation material (similar to candyfloss), which may be blue-grey or whitish in colour.

where on earth did you paste that garbage from?

 

[NJR]

Its probably just micafil Vermiculite nothing to worry about seen loads of it recently, very annoying when putting down lights in, especially when its 4 inch deep up there. Just wear a mask and if delicate skin maybe a pair of gloves.

 

[gnselectricals]

Did the awareness course last week. There is apparently a loose fill type that contains asbestos but not sure what it looks like or how common it was

 

[PEG]

Best advice,when dealing with an unknown,is sample it and be sure. Could be anything from exfoliated vermiculite to a squirrels nest.

There was a by-product,from the asbestos manufacturing process,that was used for insulation,and even cattle bedding! It was called "shoddy" and me mates dad carted loads from Turner and Newalls,forked loose,on to a pick-up.....i know,frightening...

He's not with us anymore,and a lad i shoot with,got the diagnosis last year,from his time as a pipe fitter,on the rigs,so HAVE IT TESTED. :bobby:

 

[a1colly]

As above get it tested if in doubt, £30 in South Wales per sample. Happy days!

 

[Knobhead]

Well once again the scare mongers are in full flow.

 

[elevate]

If in doubt get it tested, there is still plenty of asbestos out there.

 

[polo1]

Well once again the scare mongers are in full flow.

Sorry Tony, could not disagree with you more. It is absolutely the right thing to do if you come across a material you are suspicious of. The macho bull**** of "just get on with the job, -----" should be consigned to the bin.

 

[ruston]

I've worked in a property were the ash and clinker from the once local power station was used for soundproofing. This was a very old building though. The ash at first glance did look like asbestos though.

 

[PEG]

Well once again the scare mongers are in full flow.

Not trying to scare anyone,just telling it how i see it.

Wish someone had given me the heads-up on Fred Talbot.....would NEVER have gone on that barge holiday...:icon12: