Asbestos Roof over garage

FixdePitchmark

First time posting.

Will be looking for some advice over the next while. Would be grateful for any help.

We are sale agreed - but survey has shown a roof 20 feet by 10 over a garage - the roof is shared with neighbour.

Our plans were to knock garage build to side and leave a side passage.

Is this a cause of serious concern ?
Cost wise
Planning wise

We really want the house. And have been looking a year - with serious panic in market at present.

IronSteve

You can knock the garage with a shared roof?

C3PO

The type of asbestos that is usually used for roof material is relatively benign when left alone but can becomes extremely dangerous when disturbed! There is plenty of legislation around its removal/disposal but here is a good starting point - http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/environmental_protection/asbestos_regulations.html
You will need to get a specialist contractor to remove it (there are plenty around) but obviously it will need to be done with your new neighbours cooperation!

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

There's an unjustified 'fear' of asbestos, perpetuated by 'awareness' campaigns, etc.

The nastiest stuff is crocidolite, especially fibrous crocidolite which looks like blue mineral wool insulation. It's usually between floors though, if anywhere.

Don't worry about it - buy the house.

wordofwarning

C3PO wrote: »

The type of asbestos that is usually used for roof material is relatively benign when left alone but can becomes extremely dangerous when disturbed!
You will need to get a specialist contractor to remove it (there are plenty around) but obviously it will need to be done with your new neighbours cooperation!

Grey Asbestos is pretty fine. Only the blue and brown asbestos is a cause for concern.

You don't need a specialist contractor to move it. You need a specialist to dispose of it. Some companies will come and collect it if it bagged right.

C3PO

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

There's an unjustified 'fear' of asbestos, perpetuated by 'awareness' campaigns, etc.

The nastiest stuff is crocidolite, especially fibrous crocidolite which looks like blue mineral wool insulation. It's usually between floors though, if anywhere.

Don't worry about it - buy the house.

wordofwarning wrote: »

Grey Asbestos is pretty fine. Only the blue and brown asbestos is a cause for concern.

You don't need a specialist contractor to move it. You need a specialist to dispose of it. Some companies will come and collect it if it bagged right.

I'm sorry but I really think that this advice is dangerous/irresponsible!

OP, I would suggest that you read the HSA guidelines on asbestos - http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Chemical_and_Hazardous_Substances/asbestos_guidelines.pdf


“Any abatement work involving friable ACMs such as asbestos insulating boards, lagging, etc. should be undertaken by a specialist asbestos contractor”

wordofwarning

C3PO wrote: »

I'm sorry but I really think that this advice is dangerous/irresponsible!

Would you care tell me about the differences in brown/blue and grey asbestos from a health POV? Since you appear to have strong views on how dangerous asbestos is, that other posters and I disagree with. Because not all asbestos is equal, which you seem to suggest. You appear to be telling OP and others about how dangerous asbestos is, without realising it only some asbestos fibers are really dangerous. Grey asbestos is cement with some fibers added for strength

If you look at literature from the UK. They will tell you there you don't need to employ a specialist to remove grey asbestos. It appears the civil servants in the UK have actually done research on how dangerous or in fact how little danger there is with grey asbestos if you take the right precautions

http://www.swale.gov.uk/assets/Housing-Services-Files/New-Housing-Leaflets-Nov-09/FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS-ASBESTOS.pdf

I know electricians who cut grey asbestos pretty much daily for 20 years. He has still not got asbestosis, as the grey asbestos is not that harmful. The body can reject, as the shards are big and blunt. Whereas blue/brown asbestos is fine and sharp making it hard for the body to remove

C3PO

I am well aware of the differences between brown/blue and grey asbestos but the fact that grey asbestos is "less" dangerous does not make it safe! What you have advised the OP to do is in direct contravention of the HSA regulations who are the relevant authority here in Ireland.
I was also an electrician in an earlier life and did many things, in the course of my work, that would not now be considered safe or advisable and thankfully survived them but that doesn't make them correct!

FixdePitchmark

I think I will post a photo.

Just want to get an idea of cost.

Thanks so far.

athtrasna

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I think I will post a photo.

Just want to get an idea of cost.

Thanks so far.

If it's costs etc you're looking for, there's a costings sub forum off the construction and planning forum

FixdePitchmark

athtrasna wrote: »

If it's costs etc you're looking for, there's a costings sub forum off the construction and planning forum

Is there anyway of moving this thread to that forum ?

Thanks

wordofwarning

C3PO wrote: »

I am well aware of the differences between brown/blue and grey asbestos but the fact that grey asbestos is "less" dangerous does not make it safe! What you have advised the OP to do is in direct contravention of the HSA regulations who are the relevant authority here in Ireland.
I was also an electrician in an earlier life and did many things, in the course of my work, that would not now be considered safe or advisable and thankfully survived them but that doesn't make them correct!

Im sure HSA would not like us walking on wet floors or lifting a box without bending our knees. But we all do it anyway.

All I am saying is that Brits don't have this massive obsession with asbestos that we do. If OP has €5-10k to spend on something that would do themselves in the UK. Good for OP. But when most councils in the UK say handing asbestos is generally fine with the right precautions. I think OP needs to hear the balanced opinion to asbestos = bad.

http://rochdale.gov.uk/pdf/2011_10_12_asbestos_advice_v1.pdf

I would advise against OP removing asbestos for the next 50 years with nothing but a t-shirt and a €1 facemask. But removing a small area off their garage with the right precautions will be fine.

...__...

C3PO wrote: »

I'm sorry but I really think that this advice is dangerous/irresponsible!

OP, I would suggest that you read the HSA guidelines on asbestos - http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Chemical_and_Hazardous_Substances/asbestos_guidelines.pdf


“Any abatement work involving friable ACMs such as asbestos insulating boards, lagging, etc. should be undertaken by a specialist asbestos contractor”

I think you need to read the regulations on asbestos as well,

There is a table there to follow to see if it is friable or not.
Most (and I say most not all) corrugated roofing sheets made with asbestos are not friable (its 1 point if in good condition and can be broken with a pincers).
You can work out yourself from the guidelines and go from there.
Just remember to get the appropriate safety gear (full suit and not a dust mask but a respirator) its all in the guidelines c3po posted.

seagull

I suppose there's the added complication that as it's a shared roof, you'll need to do talk to the neighbour and get their agreement to whatever you plan to do.

C3PO

...__... wrote: »

I think you need to read the regulations on asbestos as well,

There is a table there to follow to see if it is friable or not.
Most (and I say most not all) corrugated roofing sheets made with asbestos are not friable (its 1 point if in good condition and can be broken with a pincers).
You can work out yourself from the guidelines and go from there.
Just remember to get the appropriate safety gear (full suit and not a dust mask but a respirator) its all in the guidelines c3po posted.

I'm pretty sure that an asbestos roof that is being broken up for removal can be safely defined as "friable"! A roof that is in good condition and is not being disturbed would not be considered "friable"!

FixdePitchmark

seagull wrote: »

I suppose there's the added complication that as it's a shared roof, you'll need to do talk to the neighbour and get their agreement to whatever you plan to do.

Yes - I think this is the real problem.

I could have handled it if all on my side.

Be it by contractor - or doing some of the work myself.

But - very hard to know how this will run with neighbour.

This - also could double the cost.

...__...

C3PO wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that an asbestos roof that is being broken up for removal can be safely defined as "friable"! A roof that is in good condition and is not being disturbed would not be considered "friable"!

where does the op say its being broken up?

A concrete roof sheet taken off correctly and removed whole is not considered Friable.

You really need to read the guidelines you posted! there is a number of tables there to tell you what is friable or not.

Concrete roof sheets are not considered Friable if there in good condition there are 3 steps to determine this.

Table 9 on the legislation deals specifically with roof sheets read it.
All your doing is scaremongering here and not helping the op at all.