Could this be asbestos ?

[daisyk]

These are some pictures of ceiling tiles from my attic, which is a roof conversion done in the 1950s or 60s. The tiles are approximately a square foot.

The tiles are generally in good condition, although they have been put up fairly badly so there are some narrow gaps between them in places

This is a picture of an individual tile found loose under the eaves, with some polstyrene for scale. They are a mid brown/terracotta colour under the paint, and look a bit fibrous around the edges.

So really I have two questions:

1. Does this look like a typical UK asbestos ceiling tile ?
2. If we keep it well painted then cover with insulation and plasterboard will this keep it safe for the time being

Any advice much appreciated

 

[KenGMac]

daisyk, Hi.

Without a full "Asbestos" test it is at times difficult to make the call?

The tiles "could be" a material known as "Cellotex" a material much used in the 60s. used as an Insulant [poor results] and even at times as a roof cover under the tiles / battens / felt [if you are still with me?

In [VERY] general terms if this material is "Asbestos" it will be reasonably difficult to "bend" whereas if it is "Cellotex" it will bend and even allow a finger print to be impressed upon its surface. I suppose this is an "empirical test?" [sorry about that]

Also Cellotex burns fairly readily

The "style" of the tiles also reminds me of a primitive [early] form of a "suspended" ceiling "system" where the tiles were fixed to a series of timber battens. later types of tiles had a "slot" formed on the edges of the tile to allow the tile to be "slotted" in to a suspended framework.

As usual, I digress.

As for what to cover or "encapsulate" this "potential" asbestos suggest using insulated Plasterboard?

Hope some of the "ramblings above assist?

Cheers.

Ken