The building, material by material
Roofs, façades, floors and installations: put a name to the materials you are unsure about and prepare the right questions before building work.
Explore the 25 entriesA photo cannot establish a conclusion. A resemblance neither confirms nor excludes asbestos. Only laboratory analysis can determine whether a material contains it. Do not drill, scrape or dismantle suspect material to identify it. Learn more — Suva.
25 entries · Whole building
Roof coverings, shelters and outbuildings.
Some older fibre-cement sheets contain asbestos. Check them before roof refurbishment or installing fixings.
A corrugated or deteriorated appearance does not establish the material’s composition.
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Asbestos surveysSmall flat overlapping roofing elements.
Older artificial slates may contain asbestos. Their composition must be clarified before work.
Colour, moss or size cannot distinguish asbestos-containing slates from asbestos-free products.
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Asbestos surveysExternal façade cladding and coverings.
Asbestos was used in some older fibre-cement façade elements. Replacing cladding is an opportunity to check the materials concerned.
Similar cladding may be asbestos-free. The photo illustrates a material family.
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Asbestos surveysTiles or flexible sheet flooring, particularly in kitchens and circulation areas.
Some older coverings and their layers may contain asbestos. The visible surface does not necessarily represent the whole floor construction.
A pattern or tile size cannot establish a conclusion. Do not lift the covering to check.
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Asbestos surveysBeneath wall or floor tiles.
Some older adhesives may contain asbestos. They are often hidden beneath existing tiles.
The tile surface says nothing about the adhesive. Do not break tiles to take a photo.
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Asbestos surveysWall and ceiling finishes.
Some older renders and plasters may contain asbestos. Clarify the material before sanding or removal.
Texture and colour cannot establish the presence of asbestos.
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Asbestos surveysInsulating coverings on pipes in basements and technical rooms.
Some older pipe insulation may contain asbestos. Its condition and planned work must be assessed by a specialist.
The outer covering may conceal several layers. Do not open it to identify the insulation.
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Asbestos surveysOlder switchboards and heat-protection elements in electrical installations.
Some older electrical supports and insulation may contain asbestos. Their examination also requires consideration of electrical hazards.
Do not open, unscrew or dismantle an installation to photograph it.
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Asbestos surveysOlder fibre-cement pipes and drainage lines.
Some fibre-cement pipes were made with asbestos. Clarify their composition before repair or replacement.
Pipe shape and colour are not enough. Do not saw, drill or break the pipe to check.
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Asbestos surveysAround glazing and between frames and masonry.
Some old sealing or levelling compounds may contain asbestos. Check the relevant layers before replacing windows.
The seal’s appearance cannot establish its composition. Do not scrape it to check.
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Asbestos surveysFloor layers beneath a covering or left exposed.
Some older screeds may contain asbestos. Their composition must be clarified before removal or sanding.
Colour and hardness are not sufficient. Do not scrape the screed to check it.
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Asbestos surveysBeneath floor coverings, parquet or insulation panels.
Some old adhesives may contain asbestos. Hidden layers must be considered during the survey.
An adhesive cannot be identified by colour alone. Do not lift a covering to photograph it.
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Asbestos surveysFlexible or semi-rigid tiles, including Floorflex-type products.
Some old tiles and their adhesives may contain asbestos. The survey distinguishes the covering from its adhesive.
Size or pattern cannot establish the composition. Do not lift a tile.
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Asbestos surveysWaterproofing, joints and adhesive layers in different parts of a building.
Some older products may contain asbestos. Additional investigation, particularly for PAHs in tar-based products, may be useful.
A black colour proves neither asbestos nor tar content.
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Asbestos surveysTiles and panels in suspended or acoustic ceilings.
Some old panels or associated layers may contain asbestos. Check before removal or drilling.
Perforations and texture are not conclusive. Do not move a panel for the photograph.
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Asbestos surveysHeat protection, linings and insulation in older equipment.
Some old lightweight boards and insulating cardboard may contain asbestos. Specialist examination is required.
Do not touch, bend or dismantle a friable component to check its composition.
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Asbestos surveysSprayed coatings on structures, walls or ceilings.
Some old sprayed coatings may contain asbestos and be friable. Professional assessment is necessary before any work.
A photograph establishes neither composition nor possible fibre release. Do not touch the coating.
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Asbestos surveysDoor seals, connections and heat protection in old equipment.
Asbestos was used in some heat-resistant textiles and gaskets. Check before replacement.
A fibrous appearance is not conclusive. Do not pull or detach a cord.
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Asbestos surveysPartitions and fire protection devices.
Some old fire protection systems incorporate asbestos-containing materials. Clarify their composition before alterations.
Do not open or disable a safety device to obtain a photograph.
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Asbestos surveysDucts, connections, seals and linings in ventilation systems.
Some old seals, insulation or ventilation components may contain asbestos. The survey identifies the relevant components.
A visible metal duct does not show the composition of its seals or insulation. Do not dismantle the installation.
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Asbestos surveysOlder storage heaters and their internal insulation.
Some older appliances may contain asbestos insulation. Identification and dismantling require professionals.
The appliance’s exterior is not conclusive. Do not open the heater.
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Asbestos surveysSeals, boards and heat protection around old heating appliances.
Some old equipment incorporates asbestos-containing seals or insulation. These elements must be examined before work.
A photograph of a fireplace does not demonstrate asbestos throughout the appliance. Do not dismantle the protective parts.
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Asbestos surveysOlder insulating layers in fire-resistant safes and cabinets.
Some old safes or cabinets may contain asbestos insulation. Arrange a check before alteration or disposal.
The outer casing does not reveal the insulation. Do not drill or open the walls.
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Asbestos surveysFloors, steps and coverings made of stone or terrazzo.
Adhesives, mortars or underlying layers of some old coverings may contain asbestos. They should be examined before removal.
Visible stone is not evidence of asbestos in the adhesive. Do not remove a step or tile to check.
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Asbestos surveysCladding and protective panels around older installations.
Some old fibre-cement panels may contain asbestos. Their composition must be clarified before drilling or removal.
A panel’s flat shape and colour do not identify its composition.
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Asbestos surveysBeyond asbestos
For other building pollutants, see explanations and suitable investigations on our survey pages. For radon, the measurement guide explains objectives and service durations.
The next step
Describe the building and what you are planning.
Documents can follow later.
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