Identification of hot water tank jacket/insulation

[Jackitate]

Hi,

We are shaping up the home a bit and opened up the old cabinet that leads to the hot water tank (not used).

One of our cats likes to wander in there and got closed in, so has shredded the damn thing.

This boiler jacket could have been installed in the 60s, but likelihood is 70s to 80s. Am I correct in assuming that this is fibreglass insulation inside the jacket.

I want to start removing it but wondering if I need a respirator in case there is a risk (asbestos containing material)? I imagine if asbestos was used in this application it would be with a binder and maybe applied as paste instead of as a jacket? Have anyone here come across asbestos in this application?

Does this look like fibreglass to you? Here is a link to a video of the stuff, and some images down below. Anything to worry about here or just fibreglass?

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[JohnD]

Did it previously have a plastic cover? What colour?

 

[Jackitate]

Did it previously have a plastic cover? What colour?

Hi mate,
Green/turqoise plastic cover.

Added in some additional photos.

 

[muggles]

ACMs cannot be positively identified by sight, only by lab analysis. If you've got that far though, it's probably already got you if it is asbestos

 

[Jackitate]

ACMs cannot be positively identified by sight, only by lab analysis. If you've got that far though, it's probably already got you if it is asbestos

It's been exposed like this for awhile now. From what I know, some materials are more likely to contain asbestos than others. I'm curious as to whether or not this is one of them (insulating jacket) and if it appears *like* fibreglass. Does it look like fibreglass to you?

 

[Nige F]

That is glass fibre - you need a mask for that old stuff - it's with the fibres going everywhere.

 

[Jackitate]

That is glass fibre - you need a mask for that old stuff - it's with the fibres going everywhere.

Cheers
As you can see the whole thing is shredded open and been like that for sometime. Think it is time to get rid of it. Are you confident in your ID (not asbestos)?

 

[Nige F]

Confident in i.d - that old stuff is so coarse you can see the glass filiaments . And have been close to asbestos insulation, wouldn't be allowed now.

 

[Gasguru]

It's probably just fibreglass but if you're worried then give this lot a ring and they'll send you a sample kit..

http://www.asbestosaware.co.uk/page.cfm.htm

 

[Jackitate]

Confident in i.d - that old stuff is so coarse you can see the glass filiaments . And have been close to asbestos insulation, wouldn't be allowed now.

Cheers Nigel. Here is a few close ups of it all peeled back. I conducted my own experiment and took a blow torch to it (live and let live). Fibreglass turns into small black bead looking things when burned and asbestos glows yellow/hot white.

This did none of that. But even looking at this photo - you still sure of fibreglass? I am pretty sure but always err on the side of caution. This will be my last pestering demand (but thanks for your time mate). If you look carefully you can see some of the blackbeads im on about.

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[Jackitate]

It's probably just fibreglass but if you're worried then give this lot a ring and they'll send you a sample kit..

http://www.asbestosaware.co.uk/page.cfm.htm

Thats handy
Cheers mate

 

[wrs]

Is the cat okay

 

[ianmcd]

Is the cat okay

Asbestosis can take up to 30 years to show any symptoms, and 1 single spore is enough to kill you,Horrible way to go, get it tested , its not worth fecking around with it

 

[Jackitate]

Is the cat okay

Cat is fine lol. ; )

 

[Jackitate]

Asbestosis can take up to 30 years to show any symptoms, and 1 single spore is enough to kill you,Horrible way to go, get it tested , its not worth fecking around with it

There is naturally thousands of them floating around in our air and we inhale a massive load. The problem is when you inhale a sufficient dose in one sitting or prolonged over time - and this can give rise to an increase in asbestosis (similar to COPD/emphysema) and mesothelioma (cancer of the lungs - 20 to 60 year latency period). The one fibre thing is a common misconception.