Asbestos can be located in a variety of places in a commercial building. As it’s a fire-resistant and hard-wearing material, it is commonly found in places that may get hot or wet.

This includes:

• The centre of fire doors
• Interior and exterior walls
• Flooring, especially lino flooring in wet areas (bathrooms, laundry, toilet, kitchen)
• Roofs
• Hot water tanks
• Insulation and lagging
• Gutters and downpipes
• Lift shafts
• Ceilings
• Electrical fuse boards
• Water pipes internally
• Around windows and door frames.

Asbestos can also be found as part of fencing, pipes running water to the building, and in soil. It could even hide in telecommunications or electrical pits.

The image below may help you identify any asbestos in your building.

If you are in doubt as to whether a part of your building contains asbestos or not, err on the side of caution and assume it does.

If you think that there is asbestos in your building then download our management plan fact sheet which will help you manage your duties under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations.(external link)

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