Bostik Offers All-Round Asbestos Solution

As many contractors working in the building industry will know, asbestos is a real and common threat. Many window installers however, may not be aware that asbestos can be found in soffits and fascias. Manufacturer of asbestos abatement and management products, Bostik, advises installers to take care when dealing with asbestos and always seek the advice of an expert.

Bostik’s range of coatings and sealants, suitable for removing or making asbestos-containing items safe, are available under the Idenden brand.

Idenden is the UK's leading brand of adhesion, sealing and protection products specially developed for the thermal insulation industry. The range includes specialist products to provide maximum protection at each stage of the process of asbestos abatement.

Richard Sellman, Bostik marketing manager, says: 'We advise all installers to undertake training on how to identify and deal with asbestos in soffits and fascias and ultimately seek the advice of an expert.

'Handled in the correct way and treated with the correct products asbestos can prove to be no more than a minor hindrance rather than a major issue that delays installation for long periods but no one should try and tackle it without the correct training and qualifications.

'We agree with the advice from the GGF, that before starting work, installers should ensure that they have sufficient knowledge of working with asbestos and the methods that should be used to comply with the law and work safely. In every case, asbestos should be treated with care and never handled without the correct personal protective equipment (PPE).'

Terry Jago, chief executive of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) of which Bostik is a member, says risk assessments and site surveys should always be carried out prior to any work with asbestos proceeding. 'Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work related deaths in the UK with over 4,000 people currently dying of asbestos related illnesses.

'Although asbestos is not used in the UK construction industry nowadays, it can still be found in current buildings when refurb, renovation or structural improvements are carried out, including replacing windows.

'If asbestos is ever suspected it must be checked by a trained professional. Once the appropriate checks have been carried out, it may be identified that the best course of action is to leave it untouched and to overclad the area, which can be carried out quickly and allow the installation to continue'.

'Ultimately, the hazard presented by asbestos depends on the condition it is in but should it need to be removed, works should always be carried out by qualified contractors.'

A range of Idenden product are available for asbestos overcladding such as Protective Sealer Coating ET-10, which is ideal as a protective sealer capable of covering minor cases of asbestos. This asbestos encapsulant is Class 0 compliant (BS476 Part 6 & 7 Class 1).

Richard Sellman concludes: 'The Idenden range also offers products for use in the removal of asbestos but should always be used by approved contractors such as ARCA members.

'Bostik has a long-established reputation in the glazing industry and is the UK's leading supplier of sealants for the manufacture of insulating glazing units (IGUs).'

For further information, log on to http://www.bostik.co.uk or call 01785 27 27 27.