Asbestos Cistern?

[cookridge]

I had a call the other day to quote to replace a LL WC at a council building. The building was 1960/70s and the toilet cistern was the thick black plastic low level type. I`ve changed hundreds of them over the years.

The office lady asked me about the asbestos risk. I tell her not to be silly- it`s made of plastic. She shows me a report and indeed it is a risk, it wasn`t called asbestos but was very similar.

So, what do I do. Do I get in a asbestos removal firm in to remove a plastic toilet cistern?

 

[Dannypipe]

That is odd. I've come across plenty of Asbestos Cold Water Storage tanks. They are grey, and it's cleary (and proudly) stamped on the side that it's made by an Asbestos company.

I can't really help you, other than let you know that it should only be dangerous if you break the cistern up. The fibres won't be released if you're careful with it. As for disposal....call the council maybe?

It's up to you mate. I doubt I'd take the risk myself.

 

[rhodar]

contact your local asbestos company and ask them about taking the item from you to be disposed of properly. If you are doing the work for the council and they have had the seat/cistern checked they should be able to tell you who they have as prefered suppliers in regard to asbestos removal. If its just the one item, many companies with a transfer site will probably accept it without a great deal of cost (if any) to you, as long as it is double bagged!

Most councils undertaking Better/Decent Homes Schemes etc will have at least 2 -3 companies they have had go through a thorough process to prove they are qualified and will dispose of the waste responsibly.

For your own health, please make sure that there are no breaks or 'dust' anywhere - cisterns, toilet seats and sink bitumen pads are very low risk but all should be treated with respect.

 

[Bernie2]

Err!

Funny as it may seem I think I remember something about those cisterns having asbestos in them as a plastic binder. But it was years ago and I can't remember exactly what it was about. As has been said, contact an asbestos specialist they shoudl know.

 

[cookridge]

Thanks all. Cheers for all the replies.

 

[david williams]

asbestos ! working on a site in kent, with another plumbing contractor doing the soil stacks,the stacks are internal,im runing service pipework in floor se other plumber aproching with angle grinder ask what are you going to do,says cut soil stack,i reply they are asbestos but have been painted,dont be daft came reply,just made it out of room before dust cloud enveloped him