The only way to be 100% sure a material contains asbestos is to have it tested.
However, in many cases there are 5 quick checks you can do that will help you confirm whether your fence is a Super Six Asbestos fece or a HardiFence.
Asbestos was long seen as one of the most versatile minerals because of its flexibility, tensile strength, insulation from heat and electricity, chemical inertness and affordability.
The versatility of asbestos made it attractive to many industries and Western Australia was one of the highest users per capita in the world up until the mid-1980s. Approximately one third of all homes built in Western Australia contain asbestos products. The widespread use of asbestos has left a deadly legacy of asbestos material.
One of the most popular uses was the asbestos Super Six fence manufactured by James Hardie & Co. until 1990. Later it became known as Hardifence based on the much safer cellulose fibre. Both products look very similar but how do you distinguish between the two?
How old is it?
If your fence was installed after 1990 the chances are that it is either concrete or cellulose fibre (i.e. not asbestos).
If it was installed before this, then it potentially asbestos. The older the fence the more likely it is asbestos.
Remember, that even though a house may have been built in the 1990s if the neighbouring properties are older, then the fence could have first been installed when those properties were built.
What is the capping made of?
If the fence has a capping made of the same material as the fence, then it is highly likely to be asbestos.
As the capping is the part of the fence most exposed to the effects of sun,, rain, hail and wind it will is usually much more weathered than the fencing panels. This means the fibres are often more exposed (and dangerous). As such be very careful with this material.
Over time, many people have chosen to remove the capping or replace it with a metal capping, so while this test can confirm the fence is asbestos, it can’t confirm that it is not.
How many ridges?
Asbestos fences usually have 7 ridges per 1 meter wide panel, where as Hardifence made after 1990 has only 5. Unfortunately early Hardifence products used a similar mould to the Super Six and as such this test can only tell for certain that it is not Asbestos (if it only has 5 ridges).
If your fence has 7 ridges as shown, then it is likely to be asbestos, but you may be “lucky enough” to have an early Hardifence which was concrete.
look for diamond washers
Asbestos fences usually have a diamond shaped washer holding the panels together.
