Knowledge Centre Gallery
Real Asbestos Identification Library
A premium photographic reference of 31 genuine asbestos containing materials documented on UK surveys — AIB, Artex, pipe lagging, asbestos cement, floor tiles, soffits and more. Every image is captioned, risk-rated and linked to the relevant identification guide.
Showing 31 of 31 photographs.
Corrugated Asbestos Cement Roof
Asbestos Cement · Commercial unit, London
Heavily weathered chrysotile-cement sheets. Surface matrix eroded — fibre release risk if disturbed or pressure-washed.
Read identification guideLabelled Asbestos Lamp Column
Asbestos Cement · Public highway
Asbestos cement lamp column with statutory warning labels — managed in situ under an asbestos register.
Read identification guideAsbestos Pipe Lagging Above Ceiling
Pipe Insulation (Lagging) · Commercial ceiling void
Friable amosite/crocidolite lagging — highest risk ACM. Licensed removal under HSE notifiable conditions.
Read identification guideAsbestos Cement Wall Cladding
Asbestos Cement · Prefabricated outbuilding
Flat AC panels typical of post-war prefabs and BISF housing. Manage in place if intact.
Read identification guideCorrugated Cement Garage Roof — Interior
Asbestos Cement · Domestic garage
Classic domestic garage roof. Do not drill or pressure-wash. Replacement via non-licensed contractor.
Read identification guideAsbestos Insulating Board (AIB) Wall Panel
Asbestos Insulating Board · Outbuilding
AIB is softer than cement and friable when broken. Licensed removal usually required.
Read identification guideAIB Service Riser Access Panel
Asbestos Insulating Board · Boiler cupboard
Commonly mistaken for plasterboard. Sampling required to confirm — do not drill or screw into.
Read identification guideAIB Cupboard Lining
Asbestos Insulating Board · Airing cupboard, domestic
Drilled penetrations have released fibres — encapsulation or licensed removal required.
Read identification guideAsbestos Cement Soffit Board
Asbestos Cement Soffits · Commercial façade
AC soffits common on 1960s–80s commercial frontages. Manage during external refurbishment works.
Read identification guideSoffit Inspection from Scaffold
Asbestos Cement Soffits · Commercial façade
Painted AC soffit — encapsulation in good condition. Re-inspect annually per the asbestos register.
Read identification guideStacked Corrugated Asbestos Cement Sheets
Asbestos Cement Sheets · External storage yard
Typical asbestos cement roof sheets awaiting licensed collection or assessment. Lower risk than friable materials, but breakage and weathering increase fibre release potential.
Read identification guideTextured Coating on Sloping Cupboard Ceiling
Textured Coating (Artex) · Under-stairs cupboard
Decorative textured coating in a confined space. Usually lower fibre content than AIB, but sanding, scraping or chasing can create significant disturbance.
Read identification guideTextured Coating Around Light Fitting
Textured Coating (Artex) · Domestic room ceiling
Common stippled ceiling finish from the late twentieth century. Electrical work at the fitting can disturb the coating if not managed correctly.
Read identification guideAsbestos Cement Soffits to House Eaves
Asbestos Cement Soffits · Two-storey house exterior
Painted soffit boards at eaves level are often asbestos cement on post-war housing stock. Risk rises during window, fascia or roofline replacement works.
Read identification guideLarge Area Textured Coating Ceiling
Textured Coating (Artex) · Living room
Extensive textured coating across a principal room ceiling. Often left in place and managed unless refurbishment or removal is planned.
Read identification guideWeathered Garage Roof Sheets — Internal View
Asbestos Cement · Domestic garage interior
Ageing corrugated cement roof seen internally. Surface wear is visible, so care is needed during roof replacement, lighting installation or storage alterations.
Read identification guideDecorative Artex Hallway Ceiling
Textured Coating (Artex) · Hallway and stairwell
Patterned hallway finish typical of domestic properties refurbished in the 1970s and 1980s. Often sampled before rewiring, downlights or replastering.
Read identification guideTextured Coating in Kitchen Ceiling
Textured Coating (Artex) · Kitchen
Kitchen ceiling with textured coating surrounding a fluorescent light. Fitting replacement, extraction works and ceiling repairs often trigger asbestos checks here.
Read identification guideAsbestos Cement Cold Water Cistern
Asbestos Cement Cistern · Loft space
Older loft tanks were frequently manufactured from asbestos cement. Usually low risk when intact, but replacement should be planned carefully to avoid breakage.
Read identification guideAIB Edge Detail Close-up
Asbestos Insulating Board · Panel edge detail
Close-up of a board edge showing a denser, fibrous core consistent with AIB rather than plasterboard. Edge damage and cutting present a high fibre-release risk.
Read identification guideBitumen Adhesive Under Carpet Gripper
Bitumen / Black Mastic · Under lifted carpet, domestic hallway
Black bitumen-based adhesive of this type commonly contains chrysotile asbestos. Generally low risk if left undisturbed and overlaid.
Read identification guideBlack Mastic Residue at Skirting
Bitumen / Black Mastic · Skirting / floor junction
Residual bitumen adhesive and a fragment of likely thermoplastic floor tile. Encapsulation or careful Class B removal recommended.
Read identification guideThermoplastic Floor Tile & Bitumen
Thermoplastic Floor Tile · Domestic floor
Marleyflex-style thermoplastic tiles laid on black bitumen adhesive — both can contain asbestos. Low risk when intact; do not sand or grind.
Artex Textured Ceiling – Bedroom
Textured Coating (Artex) · Bedroom ceiling
Decorative textured coatings pre-2000 may contain a small percentage of chrysotile. Safe in place; avoid sanding or dry scraping.
Read identification guideArtex Bathroom Ceiling
Textured Coating (Artex) · Bathroom ceiling
Textured coating in a bathroom — moisture and historic light fittings sometimes require small areas of removal; sample first.
Read identification guideFloor Tiles & Bitumen – Kitchen
Thermoplastic Floor Tile · Kitchen floor under appliance
Lifted tiles exposing the bitumen bed. Both layers should be assumed asbestos-containing until proven otherwise by analysis.
AIB Cupboard Door – Fireplace Recess
Asbestos Insulating Board · Fireplace / chimney recess cupboard
AIB used as fire-protective cupboard door near a chimney breast. High risk if drilled, broken or removed — requires a licensed contractor.
Read identification guideAsbestos Cement Soil & Vent Pipe
Asbestos Cement · External rear elevation, terraced house
AC soil/vent pipes are common on pre-2000 terraces. Low risk in situ; double-wrap and dispose as hazardous waste during plumbing works.
Read identification guideLoft Pipe Lagging & Loose Insulation
Suspect Pipe Lagging · Loft / roof void
Older fibrous pipe lagging in loft voids can contain amosite or chrysotile. Treat as high risk and sample before any loft works or insulation top-up.
Asbestos Cement Cistern with Lid Removed
Asbestos Cement · Loft cold water tank
Classic AC loft tank — frequently encountered in pre-1980 housing. Low risk while intact; replace whole rather than cutting on site.
Read identification guideDamaged Soffit Board at Eaves
Asbestos Insulating Board · External eaves / soffit return
The deteriorated board at the eaves appears consistent with an older asbestos-containing soffit or packing piece. External weathering and edge damage increase the likelihood of fibre release if disturbed during roofline works.
Read identification guideSpotted something similar in your building?
Our UKAS-accredited surveyors can sample and identify suspect materials nationwide — typical reports within 48 hours.