Asbestos was widely utilized in residential and industrial buildings in the UK from the 1950s before mid 1980s when its use was banned. It absolutely was used for sound-proofing and also because of its fire-retardant properties. But it was also used for gutters, roofing shingles, water and waste pipes.

Although banned in the 1980s as a structure material, its widespread use before which means that there are many buildings today that still contain asbestos within their fabric. In commercial and industrial buildings it's commonly found in the roofing panels, wall cladding and insulating boards. Asbestos can be quite a dangerous material as it is really a carcinogen - it has been proven to cause asbestosis, lung cancer (particularly in smokers) and mesothelioma so dealing with it safely is of paramount importance.

Thankfully a lot of the asbestos found in buildings is of the non-friable type i.e. it can not be easily split up right into a powdery substance. So the necessity for complete removal is not at all times necessary if the asbestos containing material remains in good condition. Although some individuals and companies may prefer to remove it, this might not necessarily be described as a financially viable option or, indeed, the safest option. In case of industrial asbestos roofs there are numerous safe refurbishment options available.

However, if the asbestos in your premises is worn or damaged then the region should be tested by a professional for possible contamination. If your survey reveals that contamination occurs and removal is the only real option then there are procedures to be followed to ensure the removal if done safely and doesn't expose anyone to any unnecessary dangers.

In the UK it is important to be aware that the responsibility for managing the potential risk of asbestos in commercial buildings lies with whoever is in charge of maintaining the building. Asbestos removal should continually be performed by professional workmen who should stick to numerous safety procedures but the last safety assessment, after any works have now been carried out, still remains with the person accountable for building maintenance.