Asbestos Database A-Z

Smooth, flat fibre cement sheet that is painted on-site to create a flat panel look. Tough, flexible sheeting suitable for external cladding and internal lining. Flat cement sheets were made of asbestos fibres and cement mix, commonly in the ratio of 1 to 9. In the asbestos cement sheet, asbestos fibres are bound within the cement matrix and are considered to be well immobilised in the cement and less prone to be released into the environment.

Due to its asbestos content, cement sheets are heat and moisture resistant making them ideal for use in wet or heat sensitive areas. Asbestos cement sheets were used as ceiling paneling, internal and external walls, external eaves across domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial applications.

Often referred to as fibro. Fibro sheeting is perhaps one of the commonest building products to come across when doing renovations to an older building. It was widely used from the 1950s to the late 1980s.The most likely form of fibro to come across is flat sheet fibro, often used for outside cladding of houses, sheds and garages. This flat sheeting was simply nailed to the wooden framed structure thus making construction quick and cheap.

Below lists the approximate dates the products ceased to be manufactured with asbestos.

• Hardiflex 1981
  
• Hardiplank 1981 -Hardiplank was external cladding typically used in residential single and medium-density homes, including alterations and additions, achieving a traditional or weatherboard look.
• Villaboard 1981
  
• Versilux 1982
  
• Harditherm 1984
• Highline 1985
  
• Shadowline 1985
  
• Coverline 1985

An indicator the cladding is made of asbestos cement sheeting is moulded asbestos cement battens / cover strips used to cover the join between the sheets which were usually 40mmx6mm or 75mmx8mm or wooden d mould cover strips.

Asbestos cement sheets are white to grey in colour and are quite hard and brittle. When subjected to machining, power tools or extensive weathering this product can become friable and the internal fibres that were originally bounded by cement can become liberated into the air.

Another key identification is when the nail head is sitting on top of the sheet (not indented into the surface).

• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Buried in soil / under slabs
• Ceiling / Ceiling space
• Dining room
• Dog kennels
• Exterior
• Fencing
• Fireplace
• Garage
• Hallway
• Internal walls
• Kitchen
• Laundry
• Living room
• Mouldings - internal and external
• Outhouse
• Power box
• Shed
• Toilet
• Other

• Building structure
• Ceilings
• Exterior
• Moulded Product
• Walls

• Building structure
• Ceilings
• Electrical
• Exterior
• Moulded Product
• Walls

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