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Forgive me for I am a youngin' and don't know how to take care of my body. But I was doing a quick poke around the other day and ran across some mysterious insulation. Does anyone have advice on whether this is asbestos? 1.
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It looks papery, and not messily sprayed on like I've seen with some asbestos beams. This was at an active university, and the door was not marked saying it contained asbestos
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Can't tell by looking at it like this. Don't disturb it or stir up dust and you'll be fine.
[last edit 1/31/2020 4:31 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
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Id say its unlikely since those appear to structural beams and so would not have a reason to have asbestos insulation. You have to look at the context, typical spray-on insulation is generally harmless. That being said you cant really tell from the photo but it theres any doubt try not to inhale it or get it on your clothes
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It looks more like spray on fire-proofing foam rather than typical insulation. If it was asbestos and in an active facility I would imagine there would be some very clear warning signs on the nearest door.
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Posted by mookster It looks more like spray on fire-proofing foam rather than typical insulation. If it was asbestos and in an active facility I would imagine there would be some very clear warning signs on the nearest door.
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it is on a steel beam, I guess maybe its flammable steel...
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Posted by 2Xplorations
it is on a steel beam, I guess maybe its flammable steel...
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Probably for fires; structural collapse suppression. World Trade Center...
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Posted by blackhawk
Probably for fires; structural collapse suppression. World Trade Center...
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I reckon that might provide a few minutes of protection, but it just looks like that hydro-mulched cellulose fiber stuff if its for fire proofing it probably DOES have asbestos in it
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[last edit 1/31/2020 4:47 PM by Explorer Zero - edited 1 times]
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It actually has nothing to do with fireproofing. It's a sound insulator to stop vibrations from traveling through the steel structure. At least that's what i was told when i asked this same question to my foreman as an electrician apprentice.
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Posted by 2Xplorations
I reckon that might provide a few minutes of protection, but it just looks like that hydro-mulched cellulose fiber stuff if its for fire proofing it probably DOES have asbestos in it
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Yeah I think it's suppose to buy about 30 minutes or so of time. Ceramic and silicon compounds are also used. Vermiculite composites are a possibility too. Without a microscopic analysis it's impossible to say what it is unless you know the actual material that was applied. I never worry about this. Rule#1 Avoid stirring up any dust. No way to know what it is or what's in it. Avoid sites where there's wind blowing shit everywhere. Asbestos is common and generally no big deal unless you get stupid with it.
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Posted by AdventureDan It actually has nothing to do with fireproofing. It's a sound insulator to stop vibrations from traveling through the steel structure. At least that's what i was told when i asked this same question to my foreman as an electrician apprentice.
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I like this explanation best, never thought of that.
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Posted by AdventureDan It actually has nothing to do with fireproofing. It's a sound insulator to stop vibrations from traveling through the steel structure. At least that's what i was told when i asked this same question to my foreman as an electrician apprentice.
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It's primary function is fireproofing I believe, which is why the vertical beams are coated as well. https://www.thebal...ral-members-845033
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Oh cool, the soundproofing was just what i was told. But I guess that makes sense. Might be a secondary benefit I suppose. Edit: Here's a page from the book "Sound Materials: A Compendium of Sound Absorbing Materials for Architecture"
[last edit 1/31/2020 6:44 PM by AdventureDan - edited 1 times]
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Posted by AdventureDan
Oh cool, the soundproofing was just what i was told. But I guess that makes sense. Might be a secondary benefit I suppose.
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Google it, no hits. Due to the mass of the steel it's doubtful the light coating can suppress vibration... they use cross bracing in part to do that. This is a passive vibration suppression system. https://kineticsnoise.com/hvac/fls.html In older multifloor plants that were designed to support huge presses, etc they used very thick concrete steel reinforced floors with massive and numerous vertical columns of concrete covered I-beams. The sheer mass of the structure plus it's rigidity reduced or completely eliminated floor vibrations on floors directly above or below. You'll see pics here sometimes of these plants. The old RCA plant in Camden NJ was one if I remember correctly. In a severe blast wave these be the last structures to collapse if at all... when everything else was leveled.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in. |
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It's impossible to tell just by looking at it.
I would recommend that you do asbestos you can to avoid disturbing it.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - Leonardo da Vinci |
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Posted by 2Xplorations
it is on a steel beam, I guess maybe its flammable steel...
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Steel loses almost all of it's structural integrity long before it melts in a fire, as Blackhawk says look at the WTC.
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If you go into a building that has friable asbestos and you dont wear a disposable suit that you wash down first and then abandon at the edge of the building. YOU WILL CONTAMINATE YOUR CAR THEN YOUR HOUSE AND EXPOSE YOUR FAMILY TO ASBESTOS. My brother & laws mother DIED BECAUSE OF THIS. Old hospitals, asylums ect have FRIABLE ASBESTOS WHICH IS AIR BORN AND WILL GET INTO YOUR CLOTHS if you dont wear a FULL SUIT..
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