Bushfire damage and asbestos
With many parts of Australia reeling in the wake of this summer's bushfire devastation, rural workers and their communities recovering and cleaning up after the terrifying blazes are urged to be vigilant around exposed asbestos.
Asbestos products are likely to be found in domestic and commercial buildings constructed or renovated before 1990. Typical asbestos containing materials (ACM) found in these older properties include bonded (non-friable) products such as floor tiles, flat fibre cement sheeting (fibro) used in walls and ceilings, and corrugated roofing.
ACM can crack or spall from the heat generated by fire. Spalling (breaking off in fragments) occurs when flakes pop off as the heat caused a build-up of pressure inside the material. Asbestos fibres are released into the air during spalling.
Fires affecting properties made with ACM can produce a range of asbestos debris, including unburnt and partly burnt pieces. The high heat generated by the fire can severely damage ACM and spread fibres some distance from the affected area.
Unless the fire debris is significantly disturbed, the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres to the public and neighbours is low. Air monitoring shows that asbestos fibre concentrations typically are very low after a fire. This is likely to be due to the low numbers of fibres actually released and the large volumes of air circulated by fires.
More significant disturbances, such as during clean-up or demolition of the fire-damaged building, must be done safely to ensure the level of asbestos fibres in the air is kept very low.
To minimise airborne asbestos fibres, make sure you:
- perform a careful assessment of the location of fire damaged ACM
- restrict people, animals and machinery from affected areas (use warning signs)
- keep debris wet until it can be cleaned up by a licensed asbestos removalist – but do not use water under pressure.
If you are just visiting a property but not cleaning up, to minimise exposure to airborne dust and other hazards from fire-damaged homes, wear protective clothing, including:
- sturdy footwear and heavy-duty work gloves
- disposable coveralls (with long sleeves and trousers)
- P2 face masks.
Further information
Read more information about managing the risks from fire damaged ACM in the Containment and disposal of asbestos contaminated dust and debris arising from fire damaged buildings guidance document.