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According to figures published in HVP Magazine in 2023, roughly 1.7 million properties across the UK are still heated by storage heaters, many of which are more than 20 years old. Any of those storage heaters manufactured prior to 1974 are likely to contain asbestos parts.
Storage heaters are usually wall-mounted and look like a normal radiator. Inside a usually metal housing are two stacks of ceramic or clay bricks with an electric heating element in between them.
Overnight, when energy tariffs are often cheaper, the element heats the bricks around it, which then store the heat, releasing it slowly throughout the day and warming the property. They were commonly fitted to social housing as well as properties of all kinds without a gas supply.
During the 20th century, many storage heaters were constructed using asbestos insulation. While there are now a range of modern alternatives, many properties still contain asbestos storage heaters.
Asbestos was commonly used in storage heaters because it is fire-resistant and highly insulative. This helped to act as a fireguard in case the heaters malfunctioned and aided in retaining heat for longer, making them more efficient.
Asbestos in storage heaters was typically found in one of a few forms; either as loose fill, a textured board insulation or as fluffy, almost fabric strips around seams. The issue, of course, is that identifying any of these usually means opening the heater and risking disturbing the asbestos.
If it was fitted any time before 1999, especially before or around 1974 it could contain asbestos insulation.
The only reliable, safe way to determine whether your storage heaters contain asbestos is to have them professionally surveyed with samples taken for analysis for asbestos.
In the UK, the general use and importation of asbestos was banned in 1999. However, the use of asbestos in insulation materials was outlawed as early as 1973, meaning that any heaters made post-1974 should be asbestos-free.
It’s worth noting though that some heaters made before the ban may have been fitted after 1974 while stocks were still available.
Asbestos is made up of millions of tiny fibres, which are very lightweight and can become airborne easily if disturbed. Once in the air, they can be inhaled. They then attach themselves to the inside of the lungs and irritate the surface. Over time, this can lead to the development of life-threatening conditions including asbestosis and mesothelioma.
The UK Asbestos Training Association estimates that even more than a quarter of a century after the ban, 5,000 people still die from asbestos-related illnesses each year in Britain.
As long as the asbestos in storage heaters remains sealed within the heater, it poses relatively little risk. However, if it is disturbed or the insulation begins to degrade, fibre release becomes more likely.
If you suspect your storage heaters contain asbestos you should look for an experienced UKAS-accredited asbestos surveyor. They will be able to offer a range of survey options including asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys, depending on your needs – they can advise which is most suitable.
Whether you own a commercial or domestic property, EMS can help you safely identify and even remove asbestos-containing storage heaters.
We have been providing UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys in Worcester, Herefordshire and the West Midlands as well as throughout the UK since 2003, and can help you remain legally compliant and safe. Book your survey today by calling 01432 263333, emailing info@emsgroupuk.com or by filling out our contact form.
Asbestos in storage heaters should remain relatively inert as long as the heater is not disturbed and the material the asbestos is in has not degraded. However, it is always safest to turn the heaters off, avoid disturbing them and contact a professional for a survey.
