• Compressed asbestos-cement sheeting, flat or corrugated
• Pipe insulation; water, drainage and flue
• Flexible building boards (Villaboard, Hardiflex, Wundaboard, Flexiboard)
• Vinyl floor tiles and backing of some linoleum (lino) floor coverings.

Friable asbestos means the fibres are loosely bound in the products and they often easily crumble.  Products containing friable asbestos may include but are not limited to:

• Hot water pipe insulation
• Fire retardants
• Heater and stove insulation.

While new fibrous cement products no longer contain asbestos, it was used in many products produced prior to 1980's, and some of these products were available in the market place beyond that date. Provided these older products are maintained in good order and are not been disturbed, they pose no health risk.  However, precautions must be observed during structural alterations or demolitions involving these products.

Council's Building Department will most likely require a demolition permit before works commence. The presence of asbestos in building materials can be confirmed by approved analysts. For information on asbestos analysts, visit the Worksafe Victoria website.

Residents who wish to remove their own asbestos-cement material should observe the following safety precautions:

• Wear disposable overalls, gloves and a dust mask with Class P2 protective factor
•  Thoroughly wet the asbestos-cement with water prior to commencing work. Do not use high pressure water jets
•  Work with asbestos cement sheeting in well ventilated areas, and where possible, in the open air when wind conditions will not cause drift into adjoining properties.  Council may take action if a you cause a nuisance in this regard
•  Use plastic drop sheets to collect off-cuts and coarse dust or use a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner that complies with Australian Standard 3544. 
•  Where it is necessary to sweep the floors, the area involved should be wet down to suppress dust
• Cutting or breaking-up of asbestos-cement sheeting should be avoided. Use non-powered hand tools as these generate coarser dust. Reserve action drills for removing screws are permitted
• Remove asbestos-cement sheeting sheets with minimal breakage and lower them carefully onto the ground  
• Keep all asbestos containing waste wet, wrapped in plastic, or otherwise sealed and remove the from site as soon as possible.

Visit the EPA website for more information about the transport and disposal of asbestos, including a list of premises liscenced to accept asbestos waste.