Ireland built and extended a huge amount of its housing, schools and commercial stock during the decades when asbestos was a standard, everyday material. That is why asbestos in older buildings is still a live issue for anyone renovating or maintaining property here - the legacy is literally built into the walls.
This guide explains what to expect by era, where asbestos typically appears, and what to check before work begins. The simple rule of thumb: if the building predates 2000, plan for asbestos until a survey proves otherwise.
Key takeaways
- Buildings from the 1950s to 1999 are the most likely to contain asbestos.
- Asbestos was used in roofs, ceilings, floors, insulation, coatings and cement across Irish homes.
- Never assume an old building is clear of asbestos because it looks tidy or has been redecorated.
- Check for an asbestos register or survey before any renovation or maintenance work.
- Undisturbed ACMs are lower risk; disturbing them during work is what releases fibres.
The high-risk eras
From the 1950s through the 1980s, asbestos was used heavily in cement products, insulation, coatings and tiles. Buildings from this period are the most likely to contain ACMs. Use tailed off through the 1990s and ended fully with the 1999 ban, but plenty of late-1990s buildings still contain asbestos products fitted before the deadline. As a working rule, any building or refurbishment dated before 2000 should be treated as potentially containing asbestos.
Where it commonly appears in Irish stock
In Irish homes and commercial buildings of the era, asbestos commonly appears as cement roof sheets and soffits, textured ceiling coatings, insulating board around services and in airing cupboards, floor tiles in kitchens and halls, and pipe lagging in plant rooms. Rural buildings and farm sheds often have asbestos cement roofing too. For the full picture see where asbestos is found in buildings.
Ready to get certified? Complete the Get Asbestos Awareness certified online in about 45 minutes for EUR 35 and download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate the moment you pass.
Do not judge by appearance
A common and dangerous mistake is assuming a building is clear because it looks clean, modern inside or has been redecorated. Redecoration often hides ACMs rather than removing them - a textured asbestos ceiling painted over still contains asbestos, and a partition skimmed with plaster may be asbestos insulating board underneath. Appearance tells you nothing reliable; only a survey does.
What to do before you start work
Before renovating or maintaining a pre-2000 building, check for an asbestos register or survey, and never assume it is clear. Where information is missing, a survey by a competent person is the safe route before intrusive work begins - read about awareness versus surveying. Combined with awareness training, this gives every worker the knowledge to recognise likely ACMs and avoid disturbing them. Start with the Asbestos Awareness Course.
Frequently asked questions
Which Irish buildings are most likely to contain asbestos?
Those built or refurbished between the 1950s and 1999, across homes, schools, offices and industrial units.
Was asbestos used in Irish houses?
Yes, very commonly - in roofs, ceilings, floors, insulation, coatings and more.
How do I find out if a building has asbestos?
Check the asbestos register or commission a survey by a competent person before disturbing materials.
Is asbestos safe if left alone?
Undamaged, undisturbed ACMs are lower risk, but any work that disturbs them can release dangerous fibres.
Does redecoration remove the asbestos risk?
No - painting or skimming over an ACM hides it but does not remove it; the asbestos and the risk remain.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- Where Can Asbestos Be Found in Buildings?
- What Is Asbestos? The Hidden Danger in Irish Buildings
- Asbestos Survey Awareness: What Workers Should Understand
- Asbestos in Construction: What Workers Should Know
Start your Asbestos Awareness Training today
Join thousands of workers across Ireland who train with Irish Asbestos Awareness. Get your Asbestos Awareness Certificate online from any device, or train your whole team with bulk certificates and central reporting.
