Asbestos fibres are believed to have been used in over 4,000 different products and have been identified in over 15,000 patents. Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) were used extensively within buildings in Great Britain between the 1950s through to the mid 1980s, with a total ban by the year 2000.

Click here for a visual plan of common ACM product locations.

Although some of these materials have been removed over the years, it is estimated that over half a million non-domestic premises and over 65% of domestic properties currently have some form of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in them.

Current regulations require commercial buildings built before the year 2000 to have an Asbestos Register and Management Plan for all presumed and confirmed Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), with both commercial and domestic buildings being required to have a refurbishment/pre-demolition survey prior to work being carried out.

Click for HSE answers to many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).