Asbestos paper & felt removal · UK-wide

Asbestos Paper, Felt & Cardboard Removal UK

Professional removal of asbestos-containing paper, felt, backing materials and cardboard-style products from buildings, plant and construction products. The correct work category depends on how the asbestos is incorporated: material firmly bonded within bitumen, vinyl or another matrix can behave very differently from exposed asbestos paper being used as heat or electrical insulation.

Request a Removal Assessment Paper & Felt Removal Costs 0330 433 9680
Site-specific pricing Depends on material use & matrix
Non-licensed → licensed Classification depends on actual product
2,500+ projects Removal projects completed last year
UKAS 32982 Defined inspection & testing activities
UK-wide England · Scotland · Wales
One name — several very different products

What are asbestos paper and felt products?

Asbestos fibres were manufactured into paper, felt and cardboard-style products and were also used as linings, facings or reinforcement within composite products.

HSE survey guidance records asbestos paper as having been used for:

  • electrical insulation;
  • heat insulation around electrical equipment;
  • insulation and acoustic lining within some air-conditioning systems;
  • reinforcement within bitumen products;
  • roofing felt;
  • damp-proof courses;
  • steel composite wall cladding;
  • roofing products;
  • flooring facing and backing materials.

The product form is important. HSE notes that asbestos paper can contain close to 100% chrysotile, but where it is incorporated within vinyl, bitumen or another bonded matrix the fibre-release potential can be very different from exposed paper or felt.

ASM pricing policy

How much does asbestos paper or felt removal cost?

ASM does not publish one generic £/m² rate for asbestos paper and felt because the same description can refer to a firmly bonded roofing product, a flooring backing layer or a much more friable heat-insulating paper product.

Final removal price
TBC following assessment

ASM confirms the material type, how the asbestos is bound and the intended removal method before issuing the final quotation.

Photographs and survey information can often allow an initial scope review, with a site assessment used where the material or project is more complex.

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The same “asbestos paper” label can mean different work

For example:

  • asbestos paper firmly incorporated into bitumen roofing felt;
  • paper backing firmly incorporated into a flooring system;
  • exposed paper beneath non-asbestos pipe insulation;
  • friable electrical heat insulation;
  • loose cardboard-style asbestos sheet;
  • damaged paper no longer firmly bonded to its original matrix.

These can require different work classifications, controls and prices.

Flooring applications

Asbestos paper backing beneath flooring

Older floor coverings sometimes incorporated an asbestos-paper backing layer beneath the visible flooring product.

This paper can contain a much higher proportion of asbestos than the floor covering itself.

HSE specifically states that removal of floor coverings containing asbestos-paper backing is notifiable non-licensed work.

This makes it important to establish whether the scope involves:

  • thermoplastic or vinyl tiles;
  • bitumen adhesive;
  • sheet flooring;
  • asbestos-paper backing;
  • a combination of several materials.

For tile-related projects see Asbestos Floor Tile Removal UK .

Asbestos paper backing beneath an older floor covering
Asbestos-paper-backed floor covering. Image source: Health and Safety Executive.
Common applications

Where asbestos paper, felt and cardboard may be found

Roofing felt Asbestos fibres or paper reinforcement may be incorporated within bitumen-based roofing products.
Flooring backing Paper backing may be present beneath older sheet flooring and other floor coverings.
Damp-proof material Asbestos paper or fibre reinforcement can occur within some historic damp-proof courses and bituminous products.
Pipe insulation backing Asbestos paper can be present beneath otherwise non-asbestos pipe insulation.
Electrical insulation High-asbestos-content paper was used around electrical equipment where heat resistance was required.
Acoustic lining Asbestos paper and felt products were used within some ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Composite cladding Paper layers may be incorporated into some older composite wall and roofing products.
Cardboard-style products Thin heat-resistant asbestos sheets can resemble cardboard or heavy paper products.
Equipment linings Older plant and appliances may contain asbestos paper as a thermal or fire-resistant lining.
Work classification

Non-licensed, NNLW or licensed?

This is the key distinction for paper and felt products. The product name alone does not determine the asbestos work category.

Material / condition Typical HSE position ASM approach
Bitumen roofing felt containing asbestos Firmly bonded bituminous products can commonly be handled as non-licensed work where the assessment supports this. Remove intact using suitable controls and minimise unnecessary break-up.
Firmly bonded paper lining HSE identifies paper linings and similar firmly bound products as examples that will commonly not require notification. Product and matrix reviewed before confirming non-licensed method.
Asbestos-paper-backed floor covering HSE specifically identifies removal as NNLW. NNLW arrangements applied to the defined flooring scope.
Paper/cardboard not firmly bonded in a matrix HSE lists removal of these products as NNLW. Condition and likely fibre release assessed before removal.
Exposed heat-insulating asbestos paper/felt May need to be assessed as asbestos insulation depending on the product, friability, task and likely exposure. Higher-risk assessment undertaken before determining whether a licensed contractor is required.
Badly damaged / friable material Damage and poor condition increase fibre-release potential and can change the work category. Project-specific risk assessment determines controls and contractor route.

“Asbestos paper” does not automatically mean low risk

HSG264 records that asbestos paper may contain close to 100% chrysotile. Where the paper is encapsulated within vinyl, bitumen or another matrix the asbestos may be firmly bound, but exposed or unbonded paper can be much more easily damaged and release fibres.

ASM pricing policy

What determines the removal method and price?

ASM first establishes what the paper or felt is doing within the building product and how firmly the asbestos is bound before a final scope is agreed.

Product type Roofing felt, flooring backing, paper lining and thermal insulation can require different approaches.
Matrix Is the asbestos firmly contained within bitumen, vinyl or another bonded product?
Insulation function Paper being used as thermal insulation may present a different risk from a thin reinforced coating or backing layer.
Condition Intact bonded product is different from torn, abraded or delaminating paper.
Quantity Total area and number of separate affected locations influence labour and setup.
Access Flooring, roof areas, plant, ducts and electrical equipment can create very different access requirements.
Likely break-up The proposed work method must consider whether the asbestos matrix will remain intact or deteriorate.
Contamination Worn or damaged paper can leave loose fibres or fragments on surrounding surfaces.
Work category Non-licensed, NNLW or licensed controls have different commercial and administrative requirements.
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HSE-aligned control principles

How asbestos paper and felt are removed

The precise RAMS and plan of work depend on the product and work category. The aim in each case is to prevent unnecessary deterioration and keep asbestos fibre release as low as reasonably practicable.

1
Identify the product

Review the asbestos report and establish whether the ACM is paper, felt, cardboard, a backing layer or part of a bonded composite.

2
Determine work category

Assess bonding, condition, intended disturbance and likely fibre release before deciding the non-licensed, NNLW or licensed route.

3
Controlled removal

Use an appropriately controlled method designed to keep bonded products intact where practicable and minimise tearing, abrasion and dust generation.

4
Clean & hand over

Package asbestos waste appropriately, complete asbestos cleaning and undertake the inspection or analytical requirements appropriate to the actual work category.

Avoid unnecessary abrasion

HSE notes that exposed paper materials can be readily damaged and release fibres when subjected to abrasion or wear. Removal methods should therefore avoid unnecessary dry tearing, sanding or aggressive abrasion.

Bitumen-bound materials

Asbestos roofing felt and reinforced bitumen products

Roofing felt is a useful example of why the material matrix matters. HSE identifies bitumen roof felt as one of the products that can generally be dealt with as lower-risk non-licensed work when conditions and methods are appropriate.

The asbestos fibres or paper reinforcement are bound within the bituminous product, which reduces fibre release compared with exposed, unbonded asbestos paper.

Removal still needs:

  • appropriate asbestos training;
  • risk assessment;
  • controlled removal;
  • minimisation of break-up;
  • suitable PPE/RPE where required;
  • correct asbestos-waste arrangements.

Bitumen and mastic products will also be covered separately within the material-removal hub.

Higher-risk use

Paper or felt used as insulation needs additional assessment

Asbestos paper was also manufactured specifically for electrical and heat insulation rather than simply being incorporated into another bonded building product.

HSG264 records historical thermal-insulation products including blankets, felts, papers, tapes and ropes which were commonly very high in chrysotile asbestos.

Where the ACM is acting as asbestos insulation rather than a firmly bonded facing or reinforcement, ASM assesses:

  • friability;
  • condition;
  • duration of work;
  • likely exposure;
  • ability to keep exposure sporadic and low intensity;
  • whether the control limit can clearly be avoided;
  • whether licensed asbestos-removal controls are required.

The product's function matters as much as its name

A thin asbestos-paper reinforcement firmly enclosed in bitumen and an exposed asbestos paper being used as thermal insulation may both be described as “asbestos paper”, but they do not present the same disturbance risk.

One route whatever the classification

ASM & F&I Group asbestos removal

ASM undertakes suitable non-licensed and notifiable non-licensed asbestos removal internally.

Where the actual asbestos-paper or insulation project requires licensed asbestos-removal controls, the licensed route is delivered within F&I Group through Flowing Construction Services under licence number 202505985.

ASM & F&I Group Services

Project support can include

  • Asbestos survey review
  • Professional sampling
  • Bulk analysis
  • Non-licensed removal
  • NNLW arrangements
  • Licensed removal where required
  • Asbestos waste management
  • Air monitoring where appropriate
  • Four-stage clearance for applicable licensed work
  • Wider F&I Group construction support
Related ASM pages

Paper, flooring, bitumen and other asbestos materials

Paper & Felt Removal Cost Why pricing depends on product use and work category. Material Removal Hub Removal guidance for common asbestos materials. Asbestos Removal UK Main national asbestos-removal service. Removal Cost UK Compare wider asbestos-removal costs. Floor Tile Removal Tiles, bitumen adhesive and paper-backed flooring. Floor Tile Cost Flooring and adhesive removal pricing. Bitumen & Mastic Removal Bonded asbestos bitumen and composite products. Millboard Removal Higher-risk licensed asbestos board removal. Pipe Lagging Removal Licensed asbestos thermal-insulation removal. Asbestos Sampling Confirm paper, felt and composite materials. Asbestos Surveys Identify ACMs before refurbishment or demolition. Air Monitoring Analytical support where required.
Frequently asked questions

Asbestos paper and felt removal FAQs

How much does asbestos paper or felt removal cost?
ASM prices these materials according to their actual use, condition and work category. A generic square-metre rate would be misleading because bonded roofing felt, paper-backed flooring and exposed insulating paper can require very different controls.
Does asbestos paper require a licensed contractor?
Not automatically. Firmly bonded asbestos paper or felt products can often fall within non-licensed work. Paper or cardboard that is not firmly bonded in a matrix is normally NNLW when removed. Higher-risk paper or felt used as asbestos insulation may require licensed controls depending on the risk assessment.
Is asbestos roofing felt licensed work?
HSE lists bitumen roofing felt among materials that can commonly be dealt with as lower-risk non-licensed work where the product is in suitable condition and the work is undertaken using appropriate controls.
Is asbestos-paper-backed flooring NNLW?
Yes. HSE specifically states that removal of floor coverings with an asbestos-paper backing is notifiable non-licensed work.
Can asbestos paper contain a high percentage of asbestos?
Yes. HSE survey guidance records asbestos paper as potentially containing close to 100% chrysotile asbestos.
Why can bitumen-bound asbestos paper be lower risk?
Where asbestos fibres are firmly enclosed within bitumen, vinyl or another strong matrix they are less readily released than exposed friable paper. The actual product and proposed disturbance still need to be assessed.
Where can asbestos paper be found?
Historical uses include electrical and heat insulation, acoustic linings, flooring backing, roofing felt, damp-proof products, composite cladding and reinforcement within bituminous materials.
Is asbestos paper the same as millboard?
No. Although both may have high asbestos content, millboard is a board product with its own material characteristics and HSE lists work on asbestos millboard as licensable work.
What happens if the asbestos paper is badly damaged?
Damage can increase friability and fibre release. The condition and proposed work method must therefore be reassessed before the correct non-licensed, NNLW or licensed route is selected.
Can asbestos paper be sanded or aggressively scraped?
Abrasive methods can significantly increase fibre release from paper products and should not be treated as routine removal. The removal method should be selected to minimise tearing, abrasion and dust generation.
Does asbestos paper removal require air monitoring?
Not automatically. Analytical requirements depend on the material, work category, condition, removal method and occupation of the building. Higher-risk or licensed projects can require more extensive analytical support.
What information should I send ASM for a quotation?
Send the asbestos survey or laboratory result, photographs, dimensions or approximate area, details of where the product is located, whether it is bonded into another material and information about the proposed refurbishment or removal work.
Current HSE guidance

Guidance relevant to asbestos paper and felt

Work classification depends on whether the asbestos is firmly bound, the condition of the product and the likely exposure created by the proposed task.

HSE — Non-Licensed Work Felt, paper, roofing felt and bonded-product guidance. HSE — NNLW Paper and cardboard not firmly bonded in a matrix. HSG264 Paper, felt, cardboard uses and asbestos content. HSE — Asbestos Locations Paper-backed flooring and other ACM examples.
Get the material classification right first

Need asbestos paper, felt or cardboard removed?

Send ASM the asbestos survey or laboratory result, photographs and information about how the material is being used. We can establish whether the product is a bonded facing or coating, flooring backing, roofing material, exposed paper or thermal/electrical insulation and then confirm the appropriate work category, removal method and project-specific quotation.

Request a Removal Assessment View Cost Guidance 0330 433 9680