Asbestos Arc Chutes in old BILL fuse holders

We have a client with an LV intake full of old BiLL and MEM distribution boards populated with 3036 semi enclosed fuses with Asbestos arc chutes on the holder.  The client has instructed an asbestos specialist to test and confirm asbestos. 

Question 1 - If we can safely get the asbestos out and is it possible to reinstall a non asbestos chute and are there any specialists out there, SE London / North Kent

Question 2 - Failing chute replacement, does anyone manufacture replacement fuse holders ? 

The building currently has around two years until it is refurbished and the LV Intake can be properly rebuilt, and the client is having kittens.

Cheers Roger 

Parents
  • I am not surprised that the client is having kittens. An obvious solution is to rebuild the intake now.

    If the chutes contain asbestos, it may still not be a risk. If it is in good condition, all well and good. If somebody pokes about taking samples, the integrity may be disrupted. The danger is inhaling asbestos dust, not walking past equipment which contains it.

    I speak as somebody who has walked past asbestos lagging in one of Her Late Majesty's ships and sat in one of her offices which was festooned with asbestos warning labels.

    And the ghastly Artex coating of the ceiling right above me causes me no health concern whatsoever.

Reply
  • I am not surprised that the client is having kittens. An obvious solution is to rebuild the intake now.

    If the chutes contain asbestos, it may still not be a risk. If it is in good condition, all well and good. If somebody pokes about taking samples, the integrity may be disrupted. The danger is inhaling asbestos dust, not walking past equipment which contains it.

    I speak as somebody who has walked past asbestos lagging in one of Her Late Majesty's ships and sat in one of her offices which was festooned with asbestos warning labels.

    And the ghastly Artex coating of the ceiling right above me causes me no health concern whatsoever.

Children
  • Unfortunately that’s the attitude of the client up until we were employed to carry out a full EICR, We  are limiting all works in connection with these boards, it gets worse the boards are fed by the oldest of old MIC cables. 

    The building is due to be completely refurbished and the old switch room ripped out in two years time so just looking for a work around which will probably be the same as the last 50 / 60 / 70 years in that they will do nothing and cross their fingers.