Quick answer: Asbestos cement sheeting, commonly called fibro, looks like ordinary wall, ceiling and eave sheeting, and inside a home it can be painted, wallpapered or tiled over. You cannot be sure a sheet contains asbestos by looking at it. The Queensland Government says a home built before 1990 is likely to contain some asbestos materials, so the safe approach is to treat suspect asbestos cement sheeting as asbestos until a NATA-accredited laboratory confirms what it is.
If you are about to renovate, repaint or replace a wall, the first question is usually whether the old sheeting is fibro. It matters because what you do next decides whether fibres are released. Guessing from the surface is where most mistakes start. With asbestos cement sheeting, a sample sent to a laboratory is what settles it.
What Is Asbestos Cement Sheeting, Also Known as Fibro?
Asbestos cement sheeting is a bonded, or non-friable, asbestos material. The fibres are locked into a solid cement sheet rather than sitting loose, which is why AHI groups sheeting with non-friable materials in its sampling guide. The Queensland Government refers to it as fibro (asbestos cement).
Bonded sheeting is not an emergency just because it exists. The Queensland Government says that if the material is in good condition and sealed, you may not need to disturb it. The risk comes when it is drilled, cut, sanded or broken, which is why you need to know what you have before any work starts.
Where Is Asbestos Wall Sheeting Found in Queensland Homes?
Asbestos materials can be found on both the inside and the outside of a home. The Queensland Government and AHI list these places for asbestos cement sheeting and related bonded products:
- Walls: Asbestos wall sheeting, including exterior and interior wall and ceiling cladding and imitation brick cladding. Inside, wall sheeting can be painted, wallpapered or tiled.
- Eaves: Slotted soffit sheeting and sheeting under the eaves.
- Roofs: Corrugated roof sheeting and guttering.
- Fences: Woven fence panels.
- Wet Areas: Splashback sheeting in bathrooms.
If your home was built before 1990 and has any of these, the sheeting is suspect. That is a reason to test it, not a confirmation that it contains asbestos.
What Does Asbestos Sheeting Look Like?
Most of the time asbestos cement sheeting looks like any other sheet. Paint, wallpaper and tiles can cover it completely, and there is no label on the surface. That is why age and location are the clues that matter. A home built before 1990, with sheeting in one of the places above, should be treated as suspect.
Neither clue proves anything on its own. They tell you when to stop and test before you cut, drill or remove.
Asbestos vs Cement Sheet: Can You Tell the Difference by Looking?
No. You cannot be sure that a material contains asbestos just by looking at it with the naked eye. The Queensland Government goes further and says never to assume a tradesperson can identify asbestos materials. A sheet that looks like plain cement sheet can still be asbestos cement sheeting, and the same caution applies to any fibro sheeting asbestos question: test before you assume.
That is why asbestos sheeting identification comes down to sampling. If you are unsure, the Queensland Government advises you to assume the product contains asbestos or have it tested at an accredited laboratory.
How Is Fibro Sheeting Identified? A Step-by-Step Process
- Leave it alone. Do not drill, cut, sand or break suspect sheeting while you are working out what it is.
- Check the age and location. Note when the home was built and where the asbestos cement sheeting may sit, using the list above.
- Treat it as asbestos until tested. We advise treating all suspect material as if it does contain asbestos.
- Have a competent person take a sample. Our team takes samples of suspect materials for laboratory analysis, using protective gear and strict guidelines.
- Send it to a NATA-accredited laboratory. All AHI samples are tested in a NATA-accredited laboratory in Greenslopes. A full report and Certificate of Analysis are provided on the same day. See our asbestos sample testing guide for how it works.
- Act on the report. The report sets out the findings, including risk levels and recommendations, so you know whether to leave the asbestos cement sheeting alone, manage it or have it removed.
For a whole-home check, our asbestos inspection service covers both residential and commercial properties. If you are a homeowner or renovator, see our residential asbestos services page.
What Should You Never Do to Suspect Fibro Sheeting Before It Is Tested?
The Queensland Government is clear on the methods to avoid with asbestos materials:
- Never use power sanders. If sanding is unavoidable, wet the surface first and sand lightly by hand.
- Do not use power tools such as drills unless they are fitted with on-tool extraction ventilation.
- Never use compressed air or high-pressure water blasters.
- Never use a household vacuum cleaner, even with a HEPA filter, because it spreads fibres.
Does Fibro Sheeting Have to Be Removed?
Not always. If asbestos cement sheeting is in good condition and sealed, the Queensland Government says you may not need to disturb it. If it has to come out, WorkSafe Queensland says a class B licence is needed to remove more than ten square metres of non-friable asbestos. Ten square metres or less does not need a licence, but safe work procedures and protective equipment still apply.
We inspect, sample, test and report. Removal is done by a licensed removalist, and your AHI report gives you the information to brief one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Cement Sheeting
What is asbestos cement sheeting?
Asbestos cement sheeting is a bonded asbestos product used for walls, ceilings, eaves, roofs and fences. The fibres are locked into a cement sheet. The Queensland Government refers to it as fibro (asbestos cement).
Can I tell if sheeting is asbestos by looking at it?
No. Asbestos cannot be confirmed by sight. Age and location make sheeting suspect, and laboratory analysis of a sample is what confirms it.
Which homes are most likely to have asbestos cement sheeting?
The Queensland Government says a home built before 1990 is likely to contain some asbestos materials.
Is it safe to leave fibro sheeting in place?
If the sheeting is in good condition and sealed, the Queensland Government says you may not need to disturb it. Test it before any renovation that would cut, drill or sand it.
Who can test my sheeting in Queensland?
At AHI, we take samples of suspect materials and send them to a NATA-accredited laboratory. The team covers Brisbane and South East Queensland.
Find Out Whether Your Sheeting Is Asbestos Cement
If you are planning a renovation or you are unsure about an older wall, ceiling or eave, get it tested before anyone picks up a tool. A sample and a laboratory result will tell you what you are dealing with, and the report will tell you what to do next.