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APPOINTMENTS & COMPANY NEWS
What products may contain asbestos that architects still need on-going training and awareness of?
A that
sbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, widely used throughout the 20th century because of its unique properties including resistance to heat, fi re, and chemicals. Given its durability and insulating capabilities, it became the material of choice for many industries and was used in a variety of products and structures. Its popularity and heat resistance meant asbestos was a key component in
insulation for pipes, boilers and was also used for fi re protection purposes. Asbestos as a product is very versatile as a binding agent when other chemicals/materials are added and hence it was used in products such
as ceiling tiles, fl oor tiles, roofi ng
shingles, cement undercloaking, decorative coatings, joint compound and spray-applied fi reproofi ng, WC seats, switches, and more.
cisterns
As we now know, despite its advantages, asbestos was later found to be extremely hazardous to human health. When asbestos fi bres become airborne and are inhaled, they can lodge in the lungs and cause serious illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Despite regulation eradicating asbestos use in 1999, its previously widespread use in
construction means it still poses a Inspectas Director, Matthew Fahy
challenge in refurbishments and management of older buildings. Seeking the correct advice at the outset on removal or maintenance is critical to the feasibility of a project and signifi cantly impacts on an architect’s design proposal.
Why is Asbestos still an issue in buildings and important for refurbishment schemes? Although asbestos removal, encapsulation and management methods have improved over the decades, asbestos-based materials are still susceptible to deterioration and damage. This is particularly prevalent in the education sector, health, heavy industry and retail where its use was popular. Generally, lack of build documentation or document retention for past projects/buildings mean that fi nding asbestos in older buildings needs specialist, intrusive surveys to allow the correct action plan to be devised for the scheme or building. While the use of asbestos is strictly controlled or banned in over 60 countries, it poses an ongoing challenge for architects. Asbestos used in fi re doors and fi re compartmentation materials is continually considered in the re-modelling of buildings as fi re strategies change. Although the
asbestos hasn’t seen signifi cantly changes recently, the Grenfell fi re disaster and the following changes to building regulations, responsibilities and emphasis to “the Golden Thread of Information” means that asbestos must be managed if left in buildings or correct and full documentation completed around its removal. Because asbestos-based materials will be around and in buildings for years to come, architects need full awareness of the product, its complexities and challenges.
info@inspectas.co.uk inspectas.co.uk
“duty to manage”
Advanced celebrates success
Advanced has won an award at the 2025 Fire & Security Matters (FSM) Awards, recognising its
achievements in fi re
safety, customer service, innovation, and sustainability. At the ceremony, held at Coventry’s CBS Arena on 5 June, Advanced
won the award for Fire Safety Project of the Year, and was also commended in the Fire Safety Manufacturer of the Year category. These accolades follow Advanced’s double win at last year’s FSM Awards and mark a signifi cant milestone in its ongoing mission to create a safer, more sustainable future.
0345 894 7000
www.advancedco.com
Oscrete acquires waterproofi ng specialist
Concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has acquired structural waterproofi ng specialists, PUDLO, in a strategic move to diversify and strengthen the business. Oscrete, a leading UK supplier of specialist construction chemicals since 1983, manufactures and supplies a wide range of concrete admixtures for precast and ready-
mix concrete, as well as the ready-to-use mortar industries. PUDLO, with over 150 years of expertise, is a market leader in structural waterproofi ng and gas protection systems across the UK.
www.oscrete.com
www.pudlo.com
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF JULY/AUGUST 2025
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