Asbestos Corrugated Sheet Removal (case study)
Corrugated asbestos cement sheets are still commonly found on older garages, sheds, boiler houses and outbuildings throughout Northern Ireland. Asbestos corrugated sheet removal is therefore something we regularly carry out, particularly when an older garage or outbuilding is being dismantled or renovated.
In this case study, we look at two recent jobs involving corrugated asbestos cement sheets. The first involved removing an ageing asbestos cement roof from a 1970s prefabricated concrete garage, while the second involved sheets that had been discovered at a commercial property during renovation work.
Although the circumstances were quite different, both jobs involved the removal, wrapping, labelling and disposal of corrugated asbestos cement sheets, along with the completion of the relevant hazardous waste paperwork.
Need corrugated asbestos sheets removed?
We provide asbestos cement removal throughout Belfast and Northern Ireland. Contact Andrew for a quotation on 07434 691 809 or email andrew@removerr.co.uk.
Removing an Asbestos Cement Garage Roof
The first job involved a prefabricated concrete sectional garage dating from around the 1970s. Measuring approximately 20ft × 10ft, it was a typical example of a garage we regularly come across at older properties in Northern Ireland, with precast concrete wall panels bolted together, a steel roof framework and corrugated asbestos cement sheets forming the roof.
Although these garages are generally extremely robust, this particular garage was beginning to show signs of deterioration and had become an eyesore for the homeowner.
The customer told us she had received quotations of approximately £5,000 plus VAT to have the complete garage dismantled and removed. Rather than paying for the entire structure to be professionally dismantled, she decided on a more cost-effective approach by separating the project into two stages.
Removerr was brought in specifically to deal with the asbestos-containing part of the structure. We removed the corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets, wrapped the material in heavy-duty 1000-gauge polythene, applied the appropriate asbestos hazard labels and completed the necessary paperwork before transporting the waste to an authorised disposal facility.
With the asbestos cement roof removed, the remaining concrete sectional garage could then be dismantled separately. The customer had family friends available to carry out this part of the work, with the concrete being placed into a skip for disposal.
For this particular customer, separating the asbestos removal from the general demolition provided a much more cost-effective way of getting rid of the old garage while ensuring that the asbestos cement sheets were dealt with appropriately.
Asbestos corrugated sheets
Corrugated Asbestos Sheets Discovered During Renovation Work
The second job involved a large garden centre in Northern Ireland that was undergoing expansion work. As part of the project, contractors were upgrading the site’s electrical supply, which required excavation work to be carried out in an area of the grounds.
During the excavation, approximately seven large corrugated asbestos cement sheets, each measuring around 8ft × 2ft, were discovered within an established hedge. It wasn’t clear how long the sheets had been there. They may have been left at the edge of the property many years previously and subsequently become hidden as the hedge grew around them.
With the asbestos sheets now exposed and work continuing in the area, Removerr was contacted to provide a quotation for their removal. We were subsequently hired to remove the corrugated asbestos cement sheets and arrange for their appropriate transport and disposal.
Although the circumstances were very different from the garage roof removal above, both jobs involved the same type of material: large corrugated asbestos cement sheets requiring removal and disposal.
Asbestos corrugated sheets discovered during renovation
How We Remove and Dispose of Corrugated Asbestos Cement Sheets
Before asbestos cement sheets can be removed from a site for disposal, a hazardous waste pre-notification must be submitted to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) at least three working days in advance, excluding weekends and bank holidays.
The pre-notification provides the NIEA with details of where the asbestos waste is being collected from, the asbestos removal company responsible for transporting it and the authorised facility where it will be delivered. Details of the waste itself are also provided, including the type of asbestos-containing material, estimated weight and the relevant hazardous waste codes.
For smaller quantities of corrugated asbestos cement sheets, typically weighing less than one tonne, the material can usually be transported in our van.
When removing corrugated sheets from a garage or other structure, we aim to remove the sheets intact wherever possible, avoiding unnecessary breaking or damage. The sheets are then grouped together in manageable quantities depending on their size and weight.
The asbestos cement sheets are double wrapped in heavy-duty 1000-gauge polythene, with all joints securely taped and sealed. The wrapped packages are then clearly marked with the appropriate asbestos hazard labels before being loaded into the van.
Once the asbestos has been packaged and the required hazardous waste paperwork completed, it is transported directly to an authorised waste facility for disposal.
What Should You Do If You Discover Corrugated Asbestos Sheets?
If you discover corrugated asbestos cement sheets, the best course of action is to leave them undisturbed and avoid breaking, cutting or damaging the material.
Asbestos cement is generally considered a lower-risk asbestos-containing material when it remains in good condition, as the asbestos fibres are bound within the cement. However, damaging or breaking the sheets can increase the potential for fibres to be released. You can read more about this in our guide: Is Asbestos Cement Dangerous?
If corrugated asbestos sheets need to be removed as part of renovation, demolition or the removal of an old garage, shed or outbuilding, the next step is to contact an asbestos removal company to discuss the appropriate removal and disposal of the material.
Asbestos Corrugated Sheet Removal in Belfast and Northern Ireland
Removerr provides asbestos corrugated sheet removal in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland, and we regularly remove corrugated asbestos cement sheets from garages, sheds, outbuildings and commercial properties.
We also remove and dispose of a range of other asbestos cement products, including asbestos cement boards, soil and flue pipes, boiler flues, guttering and downpipes, soffit boards and asbestos slates.
Whether you have an old asbestos cement roof that needs to be removed or corrugated sheets that have been discovered during renovation work, we can arrange their removal, complete the required hazardous waste paperwork and transport the material to an authorised disposal facility.
For advice or a quotation for asbestos cement removal, contact Andrew at Removerr on 07434 691 809, or email andrew@removerr.co.uk.
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