Safe Environments observe that asbestos fire damage is caused as a result of exposure to temperatures of about 1000 ºC, where the effects of charring, spalling, loss of structural strength to the asbestos materials is observed. Asbestos fire damage can also be seen in asbestos containing materials where Thermal expansion has occurred where no direct exposure to fire has taken place.
Which buildings can have asbestos fire issues?
Properties that were constructed prior to 1990 are likely to contain asbestos. In residential building the majority of asbestos is found within the wet areas such as bathroom, kitchens and external eaves. Asbestos fire damage in such properties can spread to neighboring properties and cause asbestos fire contamination in a much greater area than that of the building's own foot print.
Would asbestos fire damage release breathable airborne asbestos fibres?
Most airborne asbestos, release which results from asbestos fire damage, occurs during Spalling of materials such as Asbestos Cement Sheeting (Explosion of cement sheeting caused as a result of built up of steam within the cement matrix). Asbestos fires do not totally destroy asbestos containing materials, but can cause significant extensive damage to structural integrity of asbestos containing building materials, which would in turn lead to release of airborne asbestos.
Additionally, the collapse of roofing girders and rafters after or during asbestos fire damage could result in asbestos roofing breakage and asbestos debris production, which in turn can release airborne asbestos fibres. The level of airborne asbestos may be dependant of the friability of asbestos fire damaged materials. For example, there is a greater chance that airborne asbestos fibres are produced from collapsed asbestos fire damaged pipe insulation then asbestos fire damaged bitumen roof felting.
What to do in the aftermath of an Asbestos Fire?
The major issue with Asbestos Fires is the debris left behind. This can be very fine pieces and/or bundles of asbestos fibres which can spread to a large area as a result of Spalling. Asbestos contamination can be found within ash and dust after and during an asbestos fire.
In an event of asbestos fire damage the following steps should be taken:
- Do not enter damage asbestos fire contaminated area to reduce chances of disruption, exposure or cross contamination.
- Seek professional opinion from your asbestos fire consultant and request a risk assessment and or pre‐demolition type 3 asbestos survey (as it is likely that the fire damaged building would have to be demolished)
- Engage appropriately licensed asbestos removal contractors to remove asbestos fire debris and dispose of in a safe manor and controlled
- Engage independent asbestos analysis to conduct asbestos atmospheric testing before/during/after removal asbestos fire debris and provide you with an Asbestos Clearance Report