Ever wondered about the asbestos presence in your trusty storage heaters or reliable boilers? It’s a common question we field as a company. You’d be surprised how often folks ask us if we can point out the asbestos-loaded models. After spending quite a stint in the industry, you naturally start to develop a good feel for which brands and models are laced with asbestos. Rightway Environmental can help give advice as to which appliances can contain asbestos. Contact our offices for help

📞 Call Bristol 01174 031620 and Plymouth 01752 964073

📧 Email enquiries@rightwayenvironmental.co.uk

🖥 Visit rightwayenvironmental.co.uk

Asbestos in Storage Heaters

Take a trip back in time, and you’ll find a lot of those vintage storage heaters packing internal asbestos components, especially those rolling off the assembly line between the 1950s and mid-1970s. The UK’s ban on asbestos insulation put the brakes on risky materials being utilized by the end of that era. Asbestos varieties lurking within these storage heaters, often feature thermal insulation or asbestos insulating board (AIB). Thermal insulation can sport a casual loose-fill or a cozy lagging vibe, which tends to catch your eye. But the insulation board? It’s the master of disguise, often hiding out of sight.

Hidden Asbestos in Appliance Packers

Let’s talk about those sneaky packers in heating appliances. These little devils aren’t exactly waving hello, and in most cases, you’d have to roll up your sleeves and dismantle the heaters to uncover their secretive identities. Beyond these packers, AIB earned its stripes as a go-to lining material for these heaters. Whether nestled inside the casing or serving as a plinth for the unit, AIB was up for the job. The fire-retardant superpowers of Amosite asbestos fibers made insulation boards the ultimate match for these units. Storage heaters holding onto internal asbestos elements don’t provide a hazard unless they’re exposed.

Asbestos in Boiler Units

With boiler units, you’ll notice quite a divergence in the asbestos game. Boilers tend to use Chrysotile-based materials like strings and gaskets. Don’t be surprised if you spot AIB boards within these units, as packers or lining boards. But if we’re talking about AIB’s favorite hangout, it’s more of a storage heater. The older boilers from the 1920s to the 1960s often contain thermal insulation swaddling to the tops or strategically placed around their assembly for heat protection. You can also have asbestos-based internal strings, gaskets  and a sizeable asbestos insulation board plinth- a heating system that’s both dangerous and pricey to dismantle.

Asbestos Pipe Insulation

Alongside the heating appliances, pipework and its components can also contain asbestos, such as paper lining. Classifying it as insulation means to determine if it’s a licenced product, first and foremost. If so, it can only be removed by an HSE’s licensed contractor with a 14-day heads-up. But if it’s a vapor barrier, a non-licensed contractor can do the removal. Our advice? Use a HSE-licensed contractor to protect against risks.

Lagging on pipework is still holding its own in schools, churches, and hospitals. The main reason being the cost of removal and advice from the HSE.

Pre-sectional Lagging

Pre-sectional lagging, where short sections of asbestos applied to pipes and secured with bands. ‘Hand applied’ asbestos lagging, is a rarer sight these days. It comes less polished, sometimes flaunting a messier look and leaving a trail of residue or “snots” around the walls.