Asbestos in storage heaters

Do storage heaters contain asbestos?

In relation to asbestos in storage heaters, insulation materials using asbestos were withdrawn in 1973. All storage heaters made from 1974 onwards have been asbestos free. There is a list comprehensively covering all old brands and models suspected to contain asbestos. Being 37 years old it is uncommon that many of these heaters are still in service. For example Dimplex xl and Dimplex xls models never contained asbestos.

If you have purchased an old property, pre 1974 storage heaters may have been installed. If you want to know if your storage heater contains asbestos, you can check from:

the list of manufactured storage heaters that contain asbestos.

Storage heaters are safe if they have not been damaged or dismantled. Asbestos sheets were used inside old storage heater models for fire prevention. Damage to asbestos sheets inside the storage heater could cause asbestos dust and fibres to be released - thought to cause a type of cancer called mesothelioma. Asbestos related disease such as asbestosis and mesothelioma have been known to be caused by fibres inhaled into the lungs. The difficulty with mesothelioma cancer is the very long latency period since exposure, which can last up to about 40 years. About 4 times more mesothelioma cases happen in men compared to women, perhaps due to greater exposure in heavy industrial atmosheres like shipbuilding where asbestos usage was common. It's mostly diagnosed after age of 70. About 3.7% of lung disease deaths in UK are caused by pleural mesothelioma.

How to remove storage heaters containing asbestos?

Do not dismantle a storage heater to see if you can locate and identify asbestos sheeting! Do not dump it! You will put other people at risk. If you have a storage heater on your premises that you no longer need or want to replace, you should have it removed by a licensed contractor or health and safety expert. Contact your local council for further advice.

Storage heater models containing asbestos