Asbestos Database A-Z

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NameBroken Asbestos cladding
CaptionBroken exterior asbestos cladding - Hardiplank
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id68
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NameCement sheet cladding - exterior 201
CaptionAsbestos cement cladding on small backyard shed
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id69
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NameCement sheet cladding - exterior 206
CaptionAsbestos cement sheet cladding - exterior walls and eaves
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id70

Asbestos Cement Sheet

Product description

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



Product type Cement - sheets, moulded product
Sub-Product type
Trading name(s) Fibrolite
Versilux
Colorbord
Hardiflex - ceased 1981
Hardiplank - ceased 1981
Harditherm - ceased 1984
Wunderflex
Hardie's Compressed Sheet
Villaboard - ceased 1981
Durabestos
Other name(s) AC sheet, fibre cement sheet, fibro
Build element Construction of exterior and interior walls and ceilings.
Product identification

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).

Known uses Tough, flexible sheeting suitable for external cladding (walls and eaves) and internal lining of homes (walls and ceilings), sheds, garages, chook sheds, extensions and additions.
Asbestos fibre type Amosite (brown asbestos)
Chrysotile (white asbestos)
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Friable or Non-Friable Non-Friable
Known Supplier(s) James Hardie
CSR
Known place of manufacture Australia, China, Canada, Russia
Date / period of manufacture 1940s - 1987
Building construction period 1900-1920,1921-1930,1931-1940,1941-1950,1951-1960,1961-1970,1970-1980,1981-1990,Pre 1900
Location Domestic home
  • 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
Commercial
  • Building structure
  • Ceilings
  • Exterior
  • Moulded Product
  • Walls
Industrial
  • Building structure
  • Ceilings
  • Electrical
  • Exterior
  • Moulded Product
  • Walls
    Other Public

 

More Images

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NameCement sheet cladding - internal 95
CaptionCement sheet lining on walls and ceiling with asbestos cement cover strips over the joins.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id71
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting - holes drilled.
CaptionAsbestos cement sheet where holes were drilled. This is a hazard.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id72
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NameAsbestos cement sheeting 138
CaptionCement sheet lining on walls and ceiling with asbestos cement cover strips over the joins. The moulded asbestos cement battens used to cover the join between the sheets were usually 40mmx6mm or 75mmx8mm.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id73
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NameUnderside of sheet 242
CaptionUnderside of asbestos cement cladding as seen from the inside a garage. Notice
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id74
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NameClose Up Reverse Asbestos Cement Sheet
CaptionClose up of underside of asbestos cement . Notice the golf ball dimpling - this is an indication that the material is asbestos cement sheeting.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id75
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NameInternal Garage Asbestos Cement Sheeting
CaptionInside view of fibro cladding on a garage.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id76
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NameInternal Fibro cement wall 296
CaptionInternal Fibro cement wall lining with window and timber D cover strips over the joins
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id77
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NameAsbestos cement extension and Gables
CaptionAsbestos cement was commonly used on extensions on pre 1950s homes.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id129
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NameAsbestos cement extension - 1800s Victorian Terrace
CaptionAsbestos cement was commonly used on extensions on pre 1950s homes as seen in the closed in balcony on this Victorian terrace.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id130
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NameDormer window asbestos cement extension
CaptionAsbestos cement was commonly used on extensions on pre 1950s homes as seen in this dormer window on this Victorian terrace.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id131
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NameAsbestos Cement cladding
CaptionAsbestos cement cladding with a profile view clearly showing the moulded asbestos cover strip / join strip and sheet.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id132
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NameAsbestos cement sheeting - wall lining and ceiling
CaptionAsbestos cement sheeting - internal wall lining with D mould wooden cover strips
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id135
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NameAsbestos cement sheeting - wall lining and ceiling
CaptionAsbestos cement sheeting - internal wall lining with D mould wooden cover strips
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id136
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NameAsbestos cement sheeting - wall lining
CaptionAsbestos cement sheeting - wall lining freshly painted
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id137
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NameCement sheet cladding - exterior
CaptionAsbestos cement sheet cladding - exterior. Eaves and roof also asbestos cement.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id138
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NameDurasbestos Ad 1929
CaptionDurasbestos ad from 1929
LocationOther
SourceArchive: Wikipedia - Source Unknown - Western Mail, 1929 (29 August 1929).
Image Id186
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting - shed
CaptionAsbestos Cement Sheeting - shed exterior
LocationAgricultural
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id187
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting - garage exterior
CaptionAsbestos Cement Sheeting - garage exterior. Many homes in the affluent areas erected a fibro garage to house their new car in the 1950s - 1960s
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id188
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting - garage exterior
CaptionRun down asbestos cement sheeting on garage with moulded asbestos cover strips missing or broken.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id194
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting and trim
CaptionRun down asbestos cement sheeting on garage with moulded asbestos cover strips and corner moulding missing or broken. The fibre texture can be seen at the edge of the broken strip.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id195
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NameAsbestos Cement cladding - exterior
CaptionAsbestos cement sheet cladding - exterior with moulded cover strips. Eaves also asbestos cement.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id196
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NameUnpainted cement sheeting
CaptionHazardous asbestos cement sheeting under a house which has never been painted and has sections broken.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id197
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NameAsbestos Cement cladding and eaves - exterior
CaptionThis home is clad in asbestos cement sheeting with eaves also made of asbestos cement. The Flue may have asbestos containing material at joins.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id198
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NameClose Up Asbestos Cement Sheet
CaptionClose up of broken asbestos cement showing Chrysotile fibres.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id199
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NameNails in cement sheeting
CaptionSpecial nails, galvanised shear point, where designed to fix asbestos sheeting to the wall. The tip of the nail is blunt (no point) with a flat head. They were punched into the asbestos cement sheeting rather than splitting it. Nails stand slightly proud of the surface of the sheet.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id200
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NameAsbestos cement - wall and corner moulding
CaptionClose up of asbestos cement sheeting with corner moulding. The galvanised shear point is visible slightly proud of the surface.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id201
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NameClose Up Asbestos Cement Sheet
CaptionClose up of broken asbestos cement showing Chrysotile fibres.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id202
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NameAC Eave and cover strip - hazard
CaptionAsbestos cement eave with broken / falling off moulded asbestos cover strip exposing the join. This is hazardous as it exposes raw sheeting and when the strip falls off will break causing the release of asbestos dust and fibres.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id203
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NameAsbestos cement - Shadowline
CaptionAsbestos cement - Shadowline wall sheeting
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id213
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NameAsbestos cement - Shadowline
CaptionAsbestos cement - Shadowline wall sheeting
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Education Committee
Image Id214
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NameFlat cement sheeting - exterior
CaptionFlat cement sheeting with asbestos containing material cornice cover strips.
LocationDomestic home
SourceQueensland Government
Image Id283
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NameStriated Sheet with ACM Strips
CaptionStriated Sheet with asbestos containing material cornice cover strips.
LocationCommercial
SourceQueensland Government
Image Id284
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NameHardiplank Woodgrain
CaptionHardiplank Woodgrain
LocationDomestic home
SourceQueensland Government
Image Id285
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting Behind Ceramic Tiles
CaptionAsbestos is located behind the bathroom wall tiles in the adhesive and the cement sheeting.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id331
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NameAsbestos cement was commonly used as gables
Caption Gables are located at the ends of the roof line and in locations where the roof height or pitch has a change.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id346
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NameAsbestos cement used as gables
Caption AC sheeting as gables. Gables are located at the ends of the roof line and in locations where the roof height or pitch has a change.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id347
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NameAsbestos cement used as gables
CaptionDeteriorated AC sheeting as gable on shed. This is a hazard.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id348
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NameAsbestos cement used as gables
Caption AC sheeting as gables. Gables are located at the ends of the roof line and in locations where the roof height or pitch has a change.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id349
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Name
Caption
Location
Source
Image Id351
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Name
Caption
Location
Source
Image Id352
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NameOuthouse
CaptionInternal of a AC sheet outhouse / outside toilet
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id365
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NameOuthouse with Tilux
CaptionAC Exterior outhouse lined with Tilux sheeting
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id366
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NameUnder house - Asbestos Cement
CaptionAC Sheets as form work and sheeting located underneath house
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id367
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NameSplashback - Vinyl
CaptionAsbestos Cement sheeting as splash back covered in vinyl.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id375
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NameAC Sheet behind wallpaper
CaptionAC Sheeting is located behind this original wallpaper. The small round nail heads are visible under the wallpaper.
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id379
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NameAC Splashback
CaptionUnpainted Damaged Asbestos Cement Splashback
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id382
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NameAsbestos Cement Sheeting - Extension to Federation Home
CaptionExtension to Federation house made from asbestos cement sheeting
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id389
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NameUnsealed AC Sheeting in Laundry
CaptionUnlined and unsealed asbestos cement sheeting of laundry
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id393
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NameAC Sheeting in Laundry
CaptionAsbestos Cement Walls are behind wall paper in this laundry
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id394
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NameUnsealed AC Sheeting in Laundry
CaptionUnsealed asbestos cement sheeting in laundry as splash back
LocationDomestic home
SourceAsbestos Awareness
Image Id396

 

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