Asbestos Partition Board
Lightweight asbestos insulating boards used for interior walls, fire partitions, and ceiling panels.
Version anglaise affichée
Cette page de matériau n'a pas encore été traduite. La version anglaise est affichée ci-dessous, le reste de l'interface reste dans votre langue.
Description
Asbestos partition board, often classified as asbestos insulating board (AIB), is a lightweight, low-density panel manufactured from a mixture of asbestos fibres, calcium silicate, and other binders. Unlike the harder, denser asbestos cement products, AIB is softer, more porous, and contains a higher proportion of asbestos — typically 15 to 40 per cent by weight. The fibres used include chrysotile, amosite, and in some products, crocidolite (blue asbestos).
Manufactured from the 1930s through to about 1990, asbestos partition boards were used extensively for internal walls and partitions, fire-rated enclosures, column casings, ceiling tiles, duct panels, and service riser linings. They were valued for their light weight, excellent fire resistance, acoustic insulation properties, and ease of cutting and fixing. These boards are found in offices, schools, hospitals, laboratories, factories, and residential buildings across the UK, Australia, North America, and Europe.
Asbestos partition board is classified as one of the most hazardous common asbestos-containing materials because of its friable nature. The soft, porous structure means the material can be easily damaged by impact, abrasion, or even normal wear and tear. When damaged, the board crumbles and releases large quantities of respirable asbestos fibres. Even undamaged boards can release fibres from their surface over time, particularly in areas with air movement or vibration.
In the UK, work with asbestos insulating board is classified as licensable work, meaning only contractors holding a licence from the Health and Safety Executive may remove it. Similar licensing requirements exist in Australia and other regulated countries. The removal process involves full enclosure of the work area, negative air pressure units, decontamination facilities, and continuous air monitoring.
If you identify or suspect asbestos partition boards in a building, do not touch, drill, cut, or damage the material. Commission a professional asbestos management survey. Where the boards are in good condition and not subject to disturbance, they may be encapsulated or over-boarded as a management measure. However, damaged boards or those in areas subject to regular disturbance should be removed by a licensed contractor.
Pays où on le trouve couramment
Marques commerciales
Comment l'identifier
Asbestos insulating board partitions are typically 6 to 25 mm thick, light in weight, and feel softer than asbestos cement. They may be painted, wallpapered, or left as a smooth, slightly chalky grey surface. When broken, the edge appears fibrous and crumbly rather than dense and smooth. The boards are often used as infill panels in stud-wall partitions, around columns, and as ceiling panels. In the UK, common brand names stamped on the boards include Asbestolux, Marinite, and Masterboard.
Risque sanitaire et friabilité
Ce matériau a un niveau de risque de 4 sur 5.
Il est classé comme friable, ce qui signifie que les fibres d'amiante peuvent être libérées dans l'air avec une perturbation minimale. Cela en fait l'un des matériaux contenant de l'amiante les plus dangereux. Tout travail sur ou à proximité de ce matériau ne doit être effectué que par des professionnels agréés avec des mesures de confinement appropriées.
Que faire si vous trouvez ce matériau
Do not disturb, drill, cut, or damage suspected asbestos partition boards. If the boards are in good condition, they should be labelled and managed in place with periodic inspection. Damaged or deteriorating boards must be assessed by a professional. Removal is a licensed operation in most countries and requires full enclosure, air monitoring, and decontamination procedures. Contact a licensed asbestos contractor for assessment and removal.
Questions fréquentes
Why is asbestos partition board more dangerous than asbestos cement?
How do I know if my office partitions contain asbestos?
Can asbestos partition board be encapsulated instead of removed?
What licence is needed to remove asbestos insulating board?
Matériaux associés
Autres matériaux contenant de l'amiante que vous pourriez rencontrer.
Asbestos Plaster
Wall and ceiling plasters containing asbestos fibres for fire resistance and improved workability.
Asbestos Cement Flat Sheet
Flat pressed sheets of asbestos-reinforced cement used for cladding, soffits, and interior partitions.
Asbestos Cement Soffit
Flat asbestos cement boards used to line the underside of roof eaves on residential and commercial buildings.
Asbestos Cement Corrugated Sheet
Corrugated roofing and cladding sheets made with chrysotile asbestos fibres bound in Portland cement.
Besoin d'aide professionnelle ?
Parcourez les professionnels de l'amiante vérifiés près de chez vous. Analyses, diagnostics, désamiantage — contact direct, sans intermédiaire.
Parcourir le répertoire