Asbestos Flue Removal?

[Timbob]

I need to replace a boiler that has an asbestos flue which appears to join a rising communal flue from flats below. Whats my best course of action here? Seems like a nightmare to me!

 

[WHPES]

Firstly you need to read up on the guidelines (see the HSE website etc).

If it were up to me I would sub out the flue work to a chimney expert.

 

[AlexGas]

You really need to be properly trained to work with asbestos. You can get the people in the know in to do the job for you. Keep safe.
Check out the HSE site.

 

[thereisawizza]

In the HSE booklet they infer that working with asbestos cement products is acceptable done in the right way.

As for the communal flue bit, would the existing brance need blanking or totally removing so as not to cause disturbance to other flues still connected?

 

[Timbob]

Cheers guys, I have had asbestos training but wanted to double check etc...

Seems from the HSE site that this task is an unlicensed task so I can do it myself as long as I follow procedure.

The bit that worries me is the communal flue bit. It is going to be inpossible to tell what I am going to find once I cut the asbestos flush with the wall inside and whether it is indeed a communal flue with other boilers connected below..... which if that is the case would need sealing up.

 

[jtsplumbing]

You may be lucky it may not be asbestos!! used to be other product think it was calld cementone, still wet it down and bag it up just to be safe.

 

[tamz]

It is asbestos.
Don't cut it flush with the wall. You should try to remove it without breaking it. It will be joined to a kopex liner or salt glazed flue inside the wall. What kind of flat is it? If it is a SE duct it will just be sticking in through. Cut the wall around it exposing the joint and rock the pipe. It will come out easy enough. Follow the guidelines for working with it. It will probably have asbestos rope in the joints so damp them down. Double bag it and mark it as asbestos. Your local council should have a place to accept it.
Build in the hole with sand and cement and plaster finish.

 

[steadyon]

Presumably the replacement boiler is going to be either non-condensing (if you can get enough points) or flued though an outside wall. I seem to remember that there are some quite complex issues about fluing a condensing boiler into a communal duct.

 

[Timbob]

Thanks guys, The new boiler will be on the outside wall in a different position, from which th condense isnt a problem. I wouldnt have even attampted to re-use the old flue.

 

[Mbear]

Personally I'd be swaying to asking the cust to get men in white coveralls to remove and obtain a clean air cert. this could be expensive though and the cust may look elsewhere for someone willing to work with the asbestos. I refuse to work with it (disturb it) myself

 

[tamz]

You don't need licensed contractors for asbestos cement but whether you are willing to do it yourself is up to you. You always have the choice to walk away or sub it out.(it would cost around £5 - 800 for a licensed contractor to take it away)

What amazes me is although so many have gone through asbestos awareness training very few know how to deal with it or what you can and cannot do. Everyone just thinks asbestos is bad sh. It is, but learn the difference between one type and the next and how to handle it or not.
I have never done any asbestos awareness training (i have never been in a situation where i was asked for it) but i am a lot more asbestos aware than most because i have experience of it and worked with it (and no doubt breathed a lot of it in when i was young!).

 

[Mbear]

I think it's a generational thing tam. I'm 28 and I don't want to be anywhere near it. Lots of scaremongering have created this, plus there's not lot alot of it about these days so for younger guys it becomes difficult to distinguish and easier to stay clear. Even in these awareness courses, they can't even show u asbestos in the flesh as they aren't allowed to store it. All they can do is show pics. I stand by my 'ways' and to refuse to disturb it.

 

[tamz]

I've never done the course but it will no doubt come at some point.
There is a lot more of it around than you think. It was still being used into the 90's. We are surrounded with it. There is a lot of scaremongering about the stuff with good cause too but some of it is quite harmless (old bakelite telephones?) in everyday contact.
If you ever get the chance to speak to some old guy who did the lagging or shipyard stuff (white mice) you will learn why what they did and were exposed and the resulting ill health is a lot worse than anything we will ever encounter these days.
Bottom line tho is if you are not sure walk away or get a specialist in. Your health is worth more than a few hundred quid.

 

[GrahamM]

Do a bit of reserch first. Talk to council about disposal and read up on all the safety procedures.
Think about it, plan it out, source all safety materials required and if you feel confident, go for it.
Do not scrimp on safety equipment and protection. Take your time and go by book and all will be well.
And, the second most important point after safety is charge accordinly.

 

[tamz]

charge accordinly.

I like that bit :lol:

 

[E4gas]

I've done a few of these flues , I wear a mask then gaffer tape bin liners to them , give it a gentle wiggle , falls a part easy , then take it to the council.. If you go smashing it with a hammer you will get dust particles ..

 

[AWheating]

problems only arise if you disturb the material and fibres are allowed to break away. I would say that unless you are comfortable removing it and are 100% sure you will not break any part of it then get a contractor in. Experience is very important with these situations, if you have done it before then you should be ok.

If your are unsure at all the consider this, if you get fibres on your clothing and take them home you could be exposing your family to the fibres, so if your safety is not that important to you then ask if your wife and kids is?