Ceiling Tiles & Panels

Ceiling tiles and panels in New Zealand can contain asbestos, especially if the house they are in was built or renovated between 1950 and 2000.

Do my ceiling tiles contain asbestos?

Ceiling tiles and fibre cement ceiling sheets in New Zealand, particularly those installed before the 1980s, may contain asbestos. Both friable (easily crumbled) and non-friable (solid and hard to crumble) ceiling tiles can contain asbestos. Friable tiles are more dangerous because they can release fibres into the air more easily.

Insulation Boards (Asbestos Insulating Board, AIB) were used for fireproofing, thermal insulation, and soundproofing and can be found in ceiling panels and tiles. It was a common material in both commercial and residential buildings.

While it is possible for ceiling tiles and panels to test positive for asbestos, not all older ceiling tiles were made with asbestos and the only way to be confident is to have them tested. Testing for asbestos is essential if you plan to conduct any renovations that involve the ceiling. Cutting, nailing, drilling or sanding the ceiling panels can disturb potential asbestos fibres, releasing them into the air and posing health risks.

What if my ceiling tiles have asbestos?

Do not touch them. If your ceiling tiles have tested positive for asbestos, you should not disturb them. Depending on the condition of the panels you might have the option to:

Leave it alone

Get a certified asbestos team in to provide you with a management plan to ensure proper maintenance and monitoring to prevent exposure and keep occupants safe.

Encapsulate it

Asbestos encapsulation is a method used to manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) by coating them with a sealant to prevent the release of hazardous asbestos fibres into the air. This technique is often chosen as an alternative to asbestos removal, especially when the ACMs are in good condition and not easily disturbed.

Remove it

Licensed professionals should carry out asbestos removal in compliance with local regulations. In New Zealand, the management and removal of asbestos are regulated by WorkSafe New Zealand under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

Contact an asbestos expert

At Savy Enviro Services, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you manage, encapsulate, remove and dispose of all types of asbestos-containing materials. If you suspect your textured ceiling might have asbestos in it, contact us today.