Asbestos cement water and pressure pipes
Description
For mains freshwater infrastructure, hot water infrastructure, tank water supply, industrial wastewater, and stormwater drainage. White/off white/light grey in colour.
Pipe diameters ranged from 2” (51mm) to 2’ (610mm). See separate pages for AC couplings, agricultural and sewer piping.
Asbestos content generally 8-15%, mainly chrysotile asbestos with a smaller amount of amosite asbestos.
Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan water authorities installed AC water pipes imported from Europe in 1925 as a trial for water mains, before local production and supply commencing, by James Hardie, of Fibrolite AC pipes in 1927.
Fibrolite pipes manufactured between 1956-1968 will likely contain around 12% chrysotile asbestos, with 2-3% crocidolite asbestos.
Brands/products
- Dominated by Hardie’s in Australia
- Fibrolite
- Wunderlich-Hume
- Production occurred for short period between 1961-1964
Years of production/use
Prior to 1990.
Metric pipe production commenced April 1974.
Hardies AC pipes produced from 1978 should be marked with a warning label about asbestos content.
Hardies ceased production of AC pipes in 1987. Pre-sold stocks were likely used after this date.
Residential uses
- Stormwater, mains supply to residence underground or within multi-storey residential buildings water infrastructure – pipe riser cupboards, ceiling spaces and into plant rooms.
Industrial uses
- Industrial and mains freshwater, sludge and wastewater applications – pumping, gravitation and reticulation.
- Mines tailings slurry, power station transport of coal ash slurry from boilers to settling ponds
- Bore casings for mining activity
- Potable and storm water piping in commercial multi-storey structures
Be aware
Appearance can be mistaken for sand-cement pipes. Exposed AC pipes left subject to long weathering will degrade and expose fibres.
Hot water pipes may have asbestos woven textile material insulating as a wrap or under pipe brackets.
Jurisdictional regulations may require electricity isolation/shut off before entering ceiling spaces for inspection purposes.
Before commencing work with AC pipes in-situ, refer to: Asbestos-Cement Water and Sewer Pipe Management Guidelines.
