Reviewed Feb 2017Barry Dacombe has been closely involved in the Christchurch repair program in which asbestos has proven to be a significant issue. He notes that when assessing a property for potential asbestos-containing materials the following criteria will provide guidance to properties most likely to require testing:
NZACS has had only one claim which included the allegation of a failure to identify the presence of asbestos, but (as at 2016) the Policy specifically excludes such claims. It is reasonable to assume that the Courts may consider that a competent architect could be expected to advise that a certain site has a foreseeable potential to contain asbestos. The requirements under the Health & Safety in Employment Act may have increased this responsibility; failure to comply with the HSEA is an uninsurable risk.A prudent architect should “flag” a potential asbestos issue early on in any re-fit/demolition/remediation project, and get the experts in well ahead of tendering or initiating the contract works. Do not pretend to be an expert in identification or detection, as asbestos is contained in a wide variety of materials and may not be visible or obvious until destructive testing or demolition is underway. Similar care should be taken in the issue of instructions arising out of newly apparent risks during construction. Architects should not become involved in any asbestos investigation, sampling, testing, detection, removal, or remediation: specialist detection firms should be brought in under a direct contract to the client if the presence of asbestos is even suspected. The architect could reasonably provide the input required to meet stakeholders’ concerns, and for the integration of this work into the project.Asbestos is a group name given to a series of naturally occurring minerals. The three most commonly used forms in New Zealand were: (1). Chrysotile or "white" asbestos (CAS No: 12001-29-5) which is the most common form of asbestos material found in many domestic, commercial and industrial uses. (2). Amosite or "brown" asbestos (CAS No: 12171-73-5) which is considered particularly hazardous. (3) Crocidolite or "blue" asbestos (CAS No: 12001-28-4) which is highly fibrous and linked to the disease Mesothelioma. The difference between 'friable' and 'non-friable' asbestos is also an important distinction.Materials containing asbestos were readily available and typically used in building construction during the early 1900s and were phased out in the late 1970’s but might still be found as late as the 1980’s. It may appear as lagging for boiler hot water distribution pipes, other thermal insulation, solid plaster, fibre-reinforcing in Asbestos Cement sheeting (interior linings, exterior cladding, fences, soffits) vinyl type flooring, and sprayed fibre ceiling coatings; even as land-fill below concrete slabs as an ad-hoc moisture barrier/landfill. Many of these examples will be still encountered (perhaps covered by subsequent work) during building demolition and/or building alterations and additions.The deleterious health effects of asbestos are well known, and asbestos-related building materials requiring containment or removal are referred to in MasterSpec; the issue may be raised by Building Consent Authorities during the building consent processing stage.NZ regulations on asbestos detection and removal are weak compared to UK legislation, and the UK standards are often used. These include:
Members may also find the following links useful:http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidance-items/new-zealand-guidelines-for-the-management-and-removal-of-asbestos-3rd-editionhttp://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidance-items/where-asbestos-can-be-found