Common Asbestos Products Found in Buildings
From the 1950s to the late 1990s, asbestos was commonly used in UK buildings. It was added to many construction products for its strength, fire resistance, and insulation properties. Because of this, asbestos-containing materials are still often found in homes, schools, offices, and industrial buildings.
Asbestos is generally safe if it is in good condition and left alone. It becomes a problem when the material is damaged, drilled, cut, or removed without proper safety measures.
Here are some of the most common asbestos products found during surveys.
Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB)
Asbestos insulation board is considered high risk and is often found in older homes and non-domestic buildings.
You might find it in these places:
- In partition walls
- As ceiling tiles
- In soffits and fire breaks
- Around boilers, ducts and service risers
AIB looks a lot like plasterboard, but it is denser and more brittle. It usually contains a high amount of asbestos and can release fibres easily if disturbed.
Asbestos Cement Products
Asbestos cement is one of the most common asbestos materials found in the UK.
It is often used for:
- Garage and warehouse roofs
- External wall cladding
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flues and cold water tanks
Since the asbestos fibres are tightly bound in the cement, this material is lower risk if it is in good condition. The risk goes up if the sheets are broken, drilled, or cut.
Textured Coatings (Including Artex)
Textured coatings were commonly used on walls and ceilings, especially in the 1970s and 1980s.
You can often find them:
- On ceilings in houses and flats
- In stairwells and corridors
- In offices and public buildings
Not all textured coatings have asbestos, but many older ones do. Even though the asbestos content is usually low, sanding, scraping, or removing them can still release fibres.
Pipe Insulation and Asbestos Lagging
Asbestos lagging was used to insulate heating systems, boilers, and pipes.
It can look like:
- A soft or fibrous wrap
- A plaster-like coating
- Pre-formed sections around pipes
This type of asbestos material often has very high levels of asbestos and is considered high risk, especially if it is damaged or starting to break down.
Sprayed Asbestos Coatings
Sprayed asbestos coatings were mostly used for fire protection and sound insulation.
They are usually found:
- On structural steelwork
- On ceilings and walls in plant rooms
- In older factories and industrial buildings
Sprayed coatings are some of the highest-risk asbestos materials and should only be handled by specialists with proper safety measures.
Asbestos Floor Tiles and Adhesives
Some older vinyl floor tiles and the black adhesive underneath them may contain asbestos.
You might find these:
- In schools and colleges
- In offices and public buildings
- In older residential properties
The tiles themselves are usually low risk if they are not damaged, but lifting or breaking them can disturb asbestos in the adhesive underneath.
Why Identifying Asbestos Products Is Important
You cannot tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. Many asbestos products look very similar to modern, non-asbestos materials.
An asbestos survey and sampling will:
- Identify asbestos-containing materials
- Confirm the type and condition
- Help meet legal duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Reduce the risk of accidental exposure
Asbestos Surveys and Sampling
If you are not sure whether a material contains asbestos, it is safest to leave it alone and get professional advice.
HSG Surveys offers asbestos surveys and sampling across the North of England, providing clear reports and practical support you can trust.