Building safety & Asbestos

Fibro and Asbestos

Does your home contain asbestos? How would you know?

Before renovating, visit www.AsbestosAwareness.com.au to learn where asbestos might be found in your home, the dangers of disturbing it and how best to manage it. 

  • Australia has been ranked among the world's top consumers of asbestos products per capita.
  • 1 in 3 Australian homes contain asbestos in some form or another (a conservative estimate).
  • There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres so it's vital to safely manage asbestos-containing products.
  • Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma (an incurable asbestos-related cancer).
  • Every brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad home built or renovated before 1987, most likely contains asbestos-containing products in some form or another.
  • During renovations or the demolition of homes containing asbestos products, asbestos fibres can be released into the air and be inhaled putting renovators, families, tradespeople and bystanders at risk. 
  • If you find asbestos in your home; Don't cut it! Don't drill it! Don't drop it ! Don't sand it! Don't saw it! Don't scrub it! Don't dismantle it! Don't tip it! Don't waterblast it! Don't demolish it! and whatever you do...DON'T DUMP IT!

Asbestos materials were commonly used in the building industry from 1940 to 1980. There is now a ban on using asbestos products.

The most commonly found household building materials containing asbestos are asbestos cement products also called "fibro" and "AC sheeting".

Other asbestos cement products that may be found around the home include:

  • Flat or corrugated sheeting;
  • Water or flue pipes;
  • Roof shingles;
  • Flexible building boards;
  • Imitation brick cladding;
  • Vinyl floor tiles; and
  • Backing of linoleum floor covering

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