Asbestos is a toxic and dangerous substance that was once widely used in construction materials in buildings, and many old warehouses may still contain asbestos in some form. If you own or work in an old warehouse, it's important to know where asbestos could be hiding so that you can take appropriate measures to keep yourself and others safe.

Roofing Materials

One of the most common areas where asbestos can be found in a warehouse is roofing materials. Asbestos fibres were often used in cement-based roofing materials to add strength and durability. If your warehouse has an old corrugated asbestos cement roof, it may be time to replace it with a safer material. Asbestos roofing is dangerous when it starts to deteriorate, as it can release fibres into the air, which can be inhaled, prompting serious health problems.

Insulation

Another place where asbestos could be hiding in your old warehouse is in the insulation. Asbestos was often used in building insulation because of its fire-resistant properties. If your warehouse walls, ceilings or floors have the original insulation, they may contain asbestos. If this insulation becomes damaged, it can release asbestos fibres into the air, leading to lung cancer and other serious respiratory problems.

Flooring

Old warehouses often have flooring materials that contain asbestos, such as vinyl tiles or mastic adhesive. If your warehouse's flooring has been around for some decades, there's a good chance that it contains asbestos. These materials were popular because they were durable, fire-resistant and easy to clean. Unfortunately, this made them a popular choice in commercial and industrial settings where asbestos exposure was quite common. If you're planning on renovating your warehouse or simply want to update the flooring, it's important to have any suspected asbestos-containing materials tested by a licensed professional.

Piping, Ducts and Boilers

Asbestos was also used in HVAC systems in old warehouses. Since asbestos is heat-resistant, it was used to insulate pipes, ducts and boilers. If your warehouse has an old heating system, it's possible that it contains asbestos. Pipes or ducts that have asbestos insulation can release fibres into the air if they become damaged, which can pose a serious health risk to people who work in the warehouse.

Your Important Action

Old warehouses may contain asbestos in a variety of places, including roofing materials, insulation, flooring, HVAC systems and electrical components. If you own or work in an old warehouse, it's important to be aware of the potential dangers of asbestos and take appropriate measures to protect yourself and others.

Reach out to a commercial asbestos contractor to learn more.