Q19 As A Sealer For Asbestos

Introduction

Many buildings have surfaces containing asbestos e.g asbestos insulation board, asbestos / cement roofs and panels, sprayed asbestos, asbestos tiles etc. In many cases, asbestos surfaces are hidden from view behind false ceilings and walls. Eventually, many of these surfaces break down and begin to deposit fibres into the atmosphere. It is now known that some of these asbestos fibres are a possible health hazard to people working or living in the immediate vicinity.

In general, it is necessary to provide a protective coating wherever possible that wear, through for example, mechanical damage or vibration, may cause asbestos dust to be admitted into the atmosphere.

Many asbestos surfaces are left uncoated as they are difficult surfaces to coat using conventional paints. Ordinary paints cannot cope with the highly alkaline surface of a typical asbestos / cement composition and therefore break away from the surface within a short time of application. These paints cannot, therefore, provide a reliable and durable finish to asbestos which will prevent dusting of the fibres. What is required, is an extremely tough, durable finish which will last for many years and will positively prevent dust falling into the atmosphere. Such a coating has been developed by Polybond and is called Q19 Epoxy Emulsion Paint. This unique material is as safe and as easy t use as an ordinary emulsion paint, will adhere tenaciously to asbestos surfaces of all types, contains no solvents therefore presents no health hazard during application, will bind the asbestos surface and present a tough, durable and decorative finish.

Q19 will last for many years in most industrial and domestic environments and can, if necessary, be washed or even hosed down. A single coat of Q19 clear provides the essential primer coat for this type of application and is often sufficient to bind an asbestos surface and prevent dusting. However, the application of a full system - one coat clear, two coats colour, will obviously be more desirable. Conventional paints can be applied over the Q19 coating if required.

Method Of Use

It is important when applying Q19 to asbestos, to conform to the asbestos regulations 969 and make sure efficient respirators and protective clothing are worn whilst applying the initial coat to prevent the operative breathing in fibres which may be dislodged from the surface being painted. It is recommended that airless spray equipment be used if possible to obtain quick coverage, although brush or roller application is very satisfactory. It is essential that all obviously loose particles of asbestos be removed prior to sealing. This material should be dampened down and removed from the premises as soon as possible.

Note that Q19 should only be used to seal sprayed asbestos if the surface is reasonably sound and dried. If the sprayed asbestos surface appears to be damp, it is unlikely that a surface treatment would offer satisfactory protection over any period of time. The Q19 coating would adhere well to this surface but the net result would be to seal-in the moisture, which could eventually build up behind the coating and "blow" the asbestos layer off the wall.

Important Note

Underneath is a guide to some typical situations and recommended finishes for the coating of both new and existing asbestos. It is most important that Q19 or indeed any other form of thin, paint type surface treatment is not used to treat soft, or sprayed asbestos compositions where high mechanical resistance is required. In these instances, it is essential to use a thick coat of self-setting reinforced cement, or a sheet-panelled encasement to provide the necessary impact or vibration resistance. These in turn can be overcoated with Q19 to provide a decorative, waterproof seal.

Asbestos Surfaces	System
Corrugated, flat, fluted or sprayed roofing or cladding	Q19 - minimum 3 coats
Lightweight floors or areas carrying only the lightest traffic	Q19 - minimum 3 coats
Insides and outsides of ducting	Q19 - minimum 3 coats
Surfaces requiring a hygienic surface	Q19 - minimum 3 coats
Soft cladding or otherwise subject to heavy mechanical wear	Cement or panelled encasement
Asbestos Composites	System
Asbestos / Cement cladding or roofing	Q19 - 2 to 3 coats
Asbestolux, Turnasbestos insulation of cladding boards	Q19 - 1 to 3 coats
Asbestos Wood cladding boards	Q19 - 1 to 3 coats

Conclusion

Recent concern regarding asbestos has resulted in a better understanding of the potential hazards of the material. The Department of Employment Factory Inspectorate requires manufacturers to seal certain types of exposed asbestos surfaces. To do this job properly, it is essential that you use the correct material from the start to avoid having a repetition of the problem within the space of a year or two. Q19 has been designed specifically to offer the best solution to the problem. The material may be easily used by your own operatives, it offers a tough epoxy resin seal to asbestos surfaces binding in any loose fibres etc and also presents, if you require it, a highly waterproof and decorative finish which will last for many years.

For a Safe, Waterproof, Decorative Finish ...

The claims made in this document are made in good faith and are based on exhaustive tests carried out over a long period.
Polybond Ltd., their agents and their distributors cannot accept any liability for the behaviour of their materials in individual cases.