Enlarging letterbox slot- asbestos worry

[adrach]

Hi. I'm planning to extend the letter slot on my flat front door as it's currently too small for almost anything to fit through. The flat building was built in about 1900. The front door has what seems to be a fireproof panel attached to the inside, which is painted, and I'm worried that it might be AIB, so I'm wary of going at it with the jigsaw. Is it likely that it is AIB, and if so, should I just leave well alone?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[^woody^]

AIB was more common from the 50's onwards. 1900 seems too early, unless the door was replaced at a later date

IIRC, AIB tends to be thick - at least 10-12mm and is a bit soft like MDF - and you may be able to see fibres on the edges. But asbestos cement board can be thinner (about 5mm) and it a lot tougher

But the only way to tell is to get it looked at

 

[adrach]

Thanks for your reply. I'm not at all sure how old the door is, but the panel is about 5mm and looks hard rather than fluffy like MDF, so it sounds more like asbestos cement board. It's such a small job that I'm not keen to pay someone to look at it so I may just have to leave it.

 

[merlin50]

just cut it, put a mask on, job done.

 

[turanafon]

just cut it, put a mask on, job done.

indeed will take you 10 mins max.

 

[flameport]

just cut it, put a mask on, job done.

Totally negligent advice, given that there is no way of knowing what the door panel is made from.

A mask won't prevent fibres spreading throughout the building where they will be inhaled by the neighbours or any visitors.

 

[wotan]

Damp it down with water use jig saw, wear a mask, very little dust will be released, my jigsaw has a hose connection stubb to connect to a vaccum cleaner. Job done in a few mins.

Wotan