Description

It can often be necessary to conduct a water absorption test on asbestos containing materials suspected to be asbestos insulating board or asbestos cement to determine their exact nature to aid in suitable control measures or appropriate removal.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 regulation 2 defines asbestos cement as ‘a material which is predominantly a mixture of cement and chrysotile and which when in a dry state absorbs less than 30% water by weight’ any materials falling into this category are considered non-licensed while any materials that absorb greater than 30% water by weight are considered licensable materials (ie asbestos insulating boards or millboards).

A water absorption test should be carried out on a suitable sample (ie a minimum of 3 cm x 3 cm or 9 cm2).