ACM Dictionary

Date:: 22 May 2024

Standardised ACM terms

This resource ensures consistency in the terminology you use to describe and classify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) – a key aspect of asbestos risk assessment.

With detailed illustrations and photographs, the dictionary contains definitions for more than 100 ACMs and products commonly misidentified as asbestos.

This standardised reference is ideal for anyone involved in creating or updating workplace asbestos registers.

Download the ACM Dictionary or read the entries below*

*Please note that only the full version of the dictionary contains the friability classifications and ease-of-fibre release ratings.

ACM Dictionary

Description
A composite layered material of steel, bitumen, asbestos and polyester, known commonly as Galbestos. This material is typically used as roofing and siding panels of industrial buildings. During manufacture, metal cladding was hot-dip galvanized; while the zinc was still molten, asbestos felt was pressed into the surface to form a mechanical bond between the zinc and the asbestos. The sheet was then impregnated with asphalt under pressure and heat encapsulating the asbestos fibres, and included a final protective coating of asphalt or hot-melt polyester colour coating as an additional weather coat. Galbestos was the most common bitumen-lined metal cladding product, manufactured by HH Robertson Company.
Also see
Profiled roof sheeting
Description
A moulded cement pipe used as a duct or tube to transport gases or vapours such as smoke, steam or other unwanted fumes. Asbestos-containing cement flues were commonly used as exhausts for hot-water units and sanitary incinerators and may be found within wall and ceiling cavities, extending externally to the roof or exterior of a building.
Related terms / alternative names
Cement
Also see
Cement pipe
Moulded cement products
Description
Bituminous composite material flattened by pressure into a board or panel. Commonly mixed with
asbestos fibres for its insulating properties. Typically found in an electrical cupboard alongside other associated asbestos-containing materials (e.g. cement sheet, millboard lining the timber frame on which the switchboard is mounted, other electrical components).
Related terms / alternative names
Ausbestos
Bitumen
Electrical backing board (EBB)
Lebah
Miscolite
Switchboard
Zelemite
Also see
Electrical arc shields
Fuse holder
HRC fuse
Millboard
Description
Asbestos-containing cement sheet with corrugations (can be rounded, or trapezoid in shape). Used as roof cladding. Commonly found on industrial buildings but, also, found on domestic and commercial buildings. Often found with associated moulded asbestos-containing cement roofing materials such as barge capping, ridge capping, gutters, downpipes, flashings, etc. Degradation often leads to asbestos-contaminated dust accumulation on surfaces below the roof, rainwater deposits in gutters or at the base of incorrectly sumped downpipes.
Related terms / alternative names
Cement
Standard
Also see
Flat sheeting
Moulded cement sheeting
Profiled roof sheeting
Rainwater guttering
Ridge capping
Valley gutters
Description
A fire door is a door with a high fire-resistance rating used as part of a passive fire-protection system to reduce the spread of fire and smoke between separate compartments of a structure. An asbestos-containing fire door has a core that can consist of a material such as asbestos-insulating or low-density board, cement sheet or vermiculite. A fire-door core may be exposed at the top or bottom and around mechanisms.
Related terms / alternative names
Insulation
Also see
Fire rated material
Flat sheeting
Internal insulation (suspected)
Low-density asbestos fibre board
Vermiculite
Description
A small electrical component, usually found mounted to electrical boards that contain a fuse. Modern versions are typically composed of plastic. However, historic ceramic models often contained a small ceramic fuse (see HRC fuse) and a small fuse blanket made of moderately friable woven asbestos fibre between the fuse and the surrounding cartridge.
Related terms / alternative names
Bitumen
Circuit breaker
Insulation
Also see
Electrical arc shields
Fibrous cement electrical components
Description
Commonly found in plant and equipment, a shaped sheet or ring of material sealing the junction between two surfaces. Asbestos-containing gaskets can comprise various asbestos materials such as rope, mastic, compressed asbestos fibre, polymer or rubber-like material and bituminous material. Therefore, ease of fibre release varies depending on the matrix material.
Also see
CAF gasket debris
Flange gaskets
Rubber gasket
Description
A strong, coarsely woven fabric made from hemp or jute, used for sacks, upholstery, insulation and a variety of other historical uses. This item is typically non-asbestos. However, hessian sacks were used to pack and transport raw asbestos fibre from mines, and the repurposed contaminated hessian can be found in many applications today (including carpet underlay).
Related terms / alternative names
Textiles
Also see
Hessian-backed vinyl sheet
Description
Hessian-backed vinyl sheet was commonly applied as a type of
historical flooring in large, continuous flexible sheets with a plant-fibre-based woven hessian backing adhered to the underside. Colours and patterns vary considerably. Asbestos can be found in the hessian underlay, the vinyl sheet itself or the glue used to adhere it to a surface.
Related terms / alternative names
Vinyl
Also see
Hessian
Millboard or paper-backed vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet and adhesive
Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tiles and adhesive
Description
Small electrical components typically found within a fuse holder attached to an electrical board. Modern fuse holders are commonly made of plastic. However, for a time (approx. until the 1980s), they were made of ceramic. These ceramic fuse holders often contained asbestos millboard (see Fuse holder). High rupturing capacity (HRC) fuses are internal components to these fuse holders. Also made of ceramic, asbestos millboard can be found within them. Accessing the internal millboard is not possible without breaking the ceramic casing. Dates of manufacture can usually be found on the outside.
Related terms / alternative names
Fuse
Fuse cartridge
Also see
Fuse holder
Millboard
Description
Asbestos insulation was often used as a form of fireproofing within solid metal casing. Because of the solid casing, sampling is not possible without destructive sampling measures which can destroy the integrity of the item. Therefore, the asbestos insulation is assumed to be present. Examples of this are
fireproof safes and solid metal fire doors.
Related terms / alternative names
Insulation
Description
Lagging is a fibrous composite material usually made of magnesium carbonate or calcium silicate and combined with loose asbestos fibre to form a soft plaster-like material. Lagging was most commonly used to insulate hot water and steam pipework, but can also be found on industrial heat-producing plants such as boilers and furnaces. The fragile consistency of lagging and its extended exposure to heat leads to it often being highly degraded and damaged. Asbestos pipe lagging is commonly found wrapped in calico, but can also be found beneath a metal casing.
Related terms / alternative names
Insulation
Description
Loose fill is another form of insulation, commonly found in walls and ceilings. This fluffy insulation is usually light brown to blue-grey to white in colour, has a considerable risk of transfer within a building or structure, and consists of almost 100% asbestos fibre. Due to its extremely friable nature and high asbestos fibre content, risk of contamination to surrounding areas is common.
Related terms / alternative names
Blow In
Insulation
Mr Fluffy
Also see
Insulation product dust and debris
Description
Millboard is a loosely compressed, high asbestos content, paper-like sheet that is used in many industrial insulation, fire- and electrical-resistant applications. It is commonly found lining timber frames on which electrical boards are mounted, or lining the underside of vinyl sheet.
Also see
Compressed electrical panels
Low-density asbestos fibre board
Millboard or paper-backed vinyl sheet
Description
Vinyl sheeting with a felt-like backing. This may be referred to as millboard, paper, felt, or asbestos-backed vinyl sheet. The vinyl sheeting itself does not contain asbestos, but the strongly attached backing contains a high asbestos content – moderately friable paper-like material. Usually applied in sheet form, millboard or paperbacked sheet vinyl flooring often has complex and colourful patterning such as a ‘terrazzo’-style or mosaic-tile-like appearance. All vinyl backing should be checked to confirm the presence of this friable material. It is common for this material to be found beneath newer, overlaid floor coverings.
Related terms / alternative names
Linoleum/lino
Vinyl
Also see
Hessian-backed vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet and adhesive
Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tiles and adhesive
Description
Mineral fibre ceiling tiles are popular for areas with high noise or where insulation is required such as a ceiling covering or as suspended ceilings. Often constructed using synthetic mineral fibre (SMF), consisting of amorphous (non-crystalline) glass fibre, mineral wool, or ceramic fibre. Mineral fibre tiles are asbestos-free, but are often found in similar locations to asbestos ceiling tiles.
Related terms / alternative names
Ceiling tiles
Also see
SMF insulation
Description
Used on external walls, cement sheet with a coarse plaster surface that consists of lime and, sometimes, cement mixed with sand, small gravel and, often, pebbles. While the pebble mix is asbestos-free, the cement sheet it is coated on may contain asbestos. Also, asbestos-containing adhesive is commonly found affixing the cladding to the wall.
Related terms / alternative names
Pebble cladding
Also see
Flat sheeting
Description
Remnant residues of asbestos pipe lagging may be found due to prior, less effective removals of lagging and may exist under more recently installed SMF insulation. Residues may exist as “splatters” on walls and surrounding surfaces as a result of the original lagging application. These splatter residues may be painted over and appear as “bubbles” of paint containing lagging.
Related terms / alternative names
Insulation
Also see
Lagging
Description
A synthetic material made from a range of organic polymers. Asbestos fibres were sometimes incorporated into plastics for their physical properties, resulting in a product called Thermoplastic. Asbestos plastics were usually black in appearance and are considered rare in Australia, but can be found as toilet cisterns and seats, electrical components, appliances and cookware.
Related terms / alternative names
Bakelite
Also see
Resinous block
Description
Moulded cement sheeting sections which have been shaped to form a capping to the apex or corners of a roof. May form a fluted, smooth, corrugated or half-corrugated shape, depending on application. Commonly found on industrial buildings such as saw-tooth roofs, but may be found in less industrial settings. Ridge capping prevents water ingress where roofing sheets meet at the ridge seam. If guttering or roofing contains asbestos, then guttering and associated pipework should be inspected for or be assumed to contain rainwater deposits contaminated with friable asbestos fibre.
Related terms / alternative names
Super Six
Also see
Corrugated roof sheeting
Profiled roof sheeting
Description
Synthetic mineral fibre (SMF) is a group of human made fibrous materials consisting of amorphous (non-crystalline) glass fibre mineral, wool or ceramic fibre. Caution must be exercised and the relevant workplace/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) regulations should be consulted. Refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) should be identified, and relevant hazardous materials legislation referred to separately.
Related terms / alternative names
Batts
Fibreglass insulation
Also see
Mineral fibre tiles
Description
Sprayed insulation contains a mixture of clay, synthetic foam or adhesive, and asbestos fibre. It is applied by spraying the mixture from a compressed-air gun onto the area to be insulated. Sprayed insulation is most commonly found adhered to structural steel beams and wall or floor penetrations in industrial buildings. Due to the method of application, significant overspray is often found on nearby surfaces. A different product to limpet and vermiculite.
Also see
Insulation product dust and debris
Sprayed asbestos (limpet)
Vermiculite
Description
Textured coatings are a decorative finish applied to ceilings or walls. Asbestos fibres were sometimes added to the mixture to create a textured appearance. They comprise an aggregate in a binding agent such as plaster. Textured coatings are found in many different patterned finishes that differ in thickness and profile, and may have been painted over. The most common asbestos-containing textured pattern is a circular shape created by the swirling of a sponge during application.
Related terms / alternative names
Artex
Cement
Coatings
Also see
Plaster
Render
Description
This is the water collection gutter formed between 2 inwardly pitched roofs or between the blades of a saw-tooth roof. Valley gutters may be constructed of moulded cement sheet sections. If guttering or roofing contains asbestos, then guttering and associated pipework should be inspected for or be assumed to contain the rainwater deposits contaminated with friable asbestos fibres.
Related terms / alternative names
Box guttering
Super Six
Also see
Corrugated roof sheeting
Profiled roof sheeting
Rainwater guttering
Ridge capping
Description
Vermiculite is a mineral sheet silicate that is often dark- to golden-brown in colour. It is exfoliated by high heat into flaked, crumbly product ready for commercial purposes. Vermiculite itself does not contain asbestos. However, asbestos fibres can be found with vermiculite materials as a result of mineral contamination from the mining process and location of natural deposits. Asbestos content is typically low in vermiculite materials. In the built environment, asbestos-containing vermiculite materials can be found as a friable loose insulation in ceiling cavities or as a non-friable plaster used as a textured coating to ceilings and walls.
Related terms / alternative names
Insulation
Vermiculite ceiling (popcorn ceiling)
Zonolite
Also see
Loose-fill insulation
Description
Vinyl sheet is commonly applied as a type of flooring that comes in large, continuous, flexible sheets. Colours and patterns vary considerably. Asbestos can be found in the vinyl itself and, sometimes, the adhesive used to bond it to a surface, but it is most commonly found in the millboard backing to the sheeting.
Related terms / alternative names
Linoleum/lino
Vinyl
Also see
Hessian-backed vinyl sheet
Millboard or paper-backed vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet and adhesive
Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tiles and adhesive
Description
Vinyl sheet is commonly applied as a type of flooring that is manufactured in large, continuous, flexible sheets. Colours and patterns vary considerably. All vinyl backings should be checked to confirm the presence and type of adhesive. Adhesives used to stick vinyl sheeting to the base flooring sometimes contain asbestos and can be impossible to separate from the vinyl sheet.
Related terms / alternative names
Linoleum/lino
Vinyl
Also see
Bitumen adhesive (Blackjack)
Vinyl sheet
Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tiles and adhesive
Description
Vinyl tiles are small (commonly 15–30cm), inflexible squares of vinyl. Colours, sizes and patterns vary considerably. Asbestos-containing vinyl tiles are low in fibre content. Commonly used as a floor and, sometimes, wall covering. When sampling vinyl tiles, a sample of each colour should be taken because some colours may contain asbestos and some might not. Vinyl tiles (whether or not they contain asbestos) may be found with asbestos-containing adhesives.
Related terms / alternative names
Vinyl
Also see
Vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet and adhesive
Vinyl tiles and adhesive
Description
Vinyl tiles are small (commonly 15–30cm), inflexible squares of vinyl. Colours and sizes vary considerably. Asbestos-containing vinyl tiles are low in fibre content. Commonly used as a floor and, sometimes, wall covering. When sampling vinyl tiles, a sample of each colour should be taken because some colours may contain asbestos and some might not. The adhesives associated with vinyl floor tiles (whether or not they contain asbestos) can often contain asbestos, particularly those that are black and bituminous (Blackjack).
Related terms / alternative names
Blackjack
Also see
Bitumen adhesive (Blackjack)
Vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet and adhesive
Vinyl tiles

Updated 25 July 2024