Oxford Method Research Programme

     Asbestos Ceilings

Of late, the other concern is the apparent lack of knowledge by designers in the important role that the asbestos suspended ceiling provided in giving fire protection to the structural steel lattice roof beams. These lattice beams not only support the roof decking but also provide lateral support to the steel external wall columns. There have been numerous occasions during refurbishment programmes that when the asbestos ceiling is removed it has been replaced with a lightweight suspended ceiling with drop in tiles and light steel or alloy grid. This form of construction does not provide the minimum fire protecting qualities of the original ceiling. Nor does it meet the standards recommended in Firecode HTM81 for hospital buildings.

It is therefore important that any replacement ceiling is constructed as a fire protecting ceiling giving 30 minutes fire resistance both in terms of integrity and insulation. Alternatively the existing structural steel within the suspended ceiling void should be encased in fire resisting material to give the same level of protection provided in the original design by the asbestos suspended ceiling.