Asbestos in Fire Doors and Other Building Materials Fire doors are common in many public buildings, particularly theaters, and are also an integral component of marine vessels. These doors usually are made of heavy timber or other material, overlaid with steel. The frame is lined with fireproof gaskets so that when the fire door is closed, an air-tight seal is maintained. Fire doors are rated according to how many hours they can withstand a fire before they collapse or burn through. Prior to the 1980s, the core of a fire door as well as the gaskets and liners were likely to contain one of three types of commercial asbestos. The most common of these was chrysotile, or "white" asbestos. Most of the U.S. supply of chrysotile was mined in northwestern Montana and upstate Vermont. During the heyday of the asbestos industry, chrysotile made up between 97 and 98% of the market. Consequences of long-term exposure to chrysotile include asbestosis (a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs), pleural plaques (stiffening of lung tissue) and mesothelioma cancer.

Hazards Associated with Fire Door Products Fire doors that are intact and new pose relatively little risk of exposing people around them to asbestos. Asbestos materials generally do not emit fibers into the atmosphere when they are in good condition. Asbestos hazards begin to develop when products like fire doors are damaged by heat or water, or when they simply undergo wear and tear due to age and use. The individual asbestos fibers begin to come loose from the surrounding material, and can then be inhaled. Individuals working in factories where fire doors were manufactured were likely to have sustained some degree of asbestos exposure while on the job as few safety measures were employed until the late 1900’s. The main threat existing from asbestos fire doors today occurs during the course of a fire when damaged doors can release asbestos fibers into the air. Firemen, rescue workers, maintenance personnel, cleanup crews, and demolition workers would be most likely to come into contact with this asbestos.

Maintenance workers caring for existing fire doors might also be exposed if they came into contact with worn or damaged gaskets.Fatal Deception: The Untold Story of Asbestos (New York: Touchstone, 2003) Please fill in the form below to request a FREE information guide about your legal rights. It will be sent to you within 24 hours. Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Managing the High Medical Costs Associated with Mesothelioma Treatment Funds Set Aside for Mesothelioma Victims Providing Financial Security for Your Loved Ones A Free Case EvaluationAsbestos is a lurking danger for just about everyone. Any home could contain asbestos in some way or another and it could pose a real threat to you and your family. Nearly any product you can think of related to construction has at one time contained asbestos. This is because the mineral is extremely flame retardant and heat resistant, making it, in the past, the likely choice for homes and commercial sites.

However, in the past few decades, the danger of asbestos has been made clear. wood stoves for sale riMany illnesses and even death can result from prolonged asbestos exposure.doors for sale nairobi One item that most people don’t think of when it comes to asbestos is fire doors. best french door refrigerator 2012 consumer reportsAfter all, they look like wooden doors and don’t look like they’d contain anything harmful whatsoever. screen door repair fairfield caFire doors have been used for a long time in buildings as a safety precaution. jeep wrangler 2 door hardtop for sale used

The thinking is that with a fire door you can block a fire before it spreads to another room. larson storm doors supportA fire door is on a wall that is also fire safe. craftsman garage door opener keeps stoppingThis helps prevent fire from spreading from one area of a building to another, giving firefighters ample time to control a fire should one erupt. Fire doors have been made of vermiculite boards in the past, which, if damaged, could cause the spread of asbestos fibers in the air. At present, fire doors are made from steel and gypsum. Asbestos exposure is a real threat, even if it seems minimal. If something looks not quite right, or you think there may be asbestos in your home or office, contact a professional immediately. Even though the asbestos may not need to be removed, it is always a good idea to get a professional opinion.

Exposure to asbestos can cause many illnesses, including, but not limited to, asbestosis, pleural effusion, various cancers of the lungs, stomach and gastrointestinal tract and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining that surrounds the heart, lungs and abdomen. Likelihood of successful treatment is often slim. This is usually because the symptoms don’t tend to present themselves until the disease has progressed to the more advanced stages. Although several regulations have been passed concerning asbestos, everyone is not yet safe from the substance. To remain safe from asbestos, pay attention to potential dangers and contact qualified personnel for a professional opinion.Asbestos still kills around 5,000 people a year – more than the number of people killed on the roads. But even though its toxicity was recognised by doctors as far back as 1899, it can be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000, according to the Government’s Health & Safety Executive.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause serious diseases including mesothelioma, a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract; and asbestosis: a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. The condition can cause progressive shortness of breath and in severe cases can be fatal. Where is asbestos in the home? You may find loose-fill asbestos in lofts, cavity walls and under floorboards. It’s a loose, fluffy insulation material which looks like candyfloss. It can be blue-grey or whitish in colour and is probably the most dangerous asbestos-containing material. If disturbed, it can release many asbestos fibres into the air. Lagging and insulation around piping and boilers can also contain a type of asbestos which is fibrous, flakes and powders easily and is often painted in different colours, making it more difficult to detect. Asbestos can also be found in spray coatings on the undersides of roofs and floors, originally used for fire protection.

It’s dangerous because even minor disturbance can release large amounts of asbestos fibres, which can be breathed in. It is also often present in insulation boards, and you can find asbestos tiles hidden under carpet and in old textured wall and ceiling coatings. ‘Survey found asbestos in our house’ “When I moved into my home I was concerned to find out that the survey we’d had when purchasing the house hadn’t tested for asbestos (even though it was a comprehensive survey),” says homeowner Jane Smith. “This was a particular concern because our kitchen had old Artex on the ceiling and if we wanted to get rid of it or plaster over it, it could prove a very expensive job if it had asbestos in it. “We organised for an asbestos survey to be done and the company came over and tested the whole house, including the Artex. We then awaited the results. When they came through, we were really relieved that the Artex didn’t contain it. “However, the survey did alert us to asbestos elsewhere.

Near to the fuse box there was a piece of white asbestos mixed with concrete. There was a small chip in it and we had to have it removed. “I think if I move house in the future I will now just get an asbestos survey as a matter of course alongside the traditional survey. The peace of mind it brought was very reassuring.” If in doubt, get an asbestos survey, preferably from an organisation accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Don’t touch or try to remove any suspect material. • Seek advice from an environmental officer at your local health authority. • Get a professional to remove damaged asbestos material. • Check regularly that undamaged material containing asbestos isn’t deteriorating. If you are refurbishing your home and are concerned about the presence of asbestos, contact a professional. Sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos lagging, insulation or insulating board should only be removed by a contractor licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).