Asbestos in Flanders
A non-destructive asbestos certificate may leave concealed layers outside its scope. Have the areas to be opened assessed before renovation.
Asbestos-cement pipes & downpipes
Clarify the material and the pipe’s function before removal or replacement.
Request a quoteCheck our approval with FPS Employment (French)
Prepare your quote
- Identified pipe, report and network function
- Floors, ducts and shared access
- Coordinate removal, replacement and recommissioning
Pipes and their function
OVAM distinguishes asbestos-cement pipes from insulation around heating pipes. Asbestos cement forms the pipe body; insulation is a covering. Grey colour or an old manufacturer’s name cannot confirm composition. Compare the report with affected sections: cellar passages, vertical stacks, external downpipes or pipes concealed in ducts. State whether drainage or ventilation remains active; coordinate removal with maintaining or replacing that function.
Points to clarify for your quote
Specify floors crossed, known access, visible connections and retained sections. Report known leaks or breaks without attempting repairs to suspect material. The quote must distinguish removal, duct access, waste and pipe replacement by the relevant professional.
Coordinate pipe removal and replacement
Describe the system floor by floor
Use available plans to locate known pipe sections and connections. Distinguish visible sections, parts shown only on drawings and unknown sections inside a duct. A photograph on one floor does not describe the full pipe route. State its function where known and which homes or rooms may be affected.
Assign duct access and reinstatement
Reaching a pipe may involve linings, hatches or finishes that are not automatically included in pipe removal. Identify who assesses surrounding materials, who prepares the necessary access and who closes the openings after the work. For a shared part of the building, identify who coordinates these tasks and access to the different floors.
Confirm the handover to the replacement system
Ask the professional responsible for the system to define retained connections, replacement work and checks before return to service. List these tasks separately from asbestos removal. Agree how users will be informed and what interruptions may be needed. Removing an old pipe does not itself mean that drainage or ventilation is working again.
Before work starts
According to OVAM, some asbestos-cement applications may qualify for simple treatment if the required conditions are met; condition and dismantling arrangements must be assessed. Rigidity alone does not determine the method. The contractor’s employer must identify suspect materials before exposing workers, including in private homes. Also check the waste route applicable to the site.
Demotek SRL (enterprise number 0783.397.239) appears on the official FPS Employment list. Approval covers glove-bag removal and hermetically sealed enclosures. The method suited to your site is defined after assessment.
Asbestos rules and official sourcesWhat your region changes for this work
Asbestos in Brussels-Capital
The inventory must cover the proposed work. Materials, condition, quantities and method determine any declaration or permit.
Asbestos in Wallonia
Provide materials and quantities for the whole project to confirm its environmental classification and waste route.
Your questions
Can only the section obstructing my work be removed?
The request can concern one section, but the proposed separation and remaining connections need assessment. Do not cut the pipe to improve access. Describe the passage you need and what must remain; the removal scope will be defined after assessment.
The pipe passes through several flats. What should I prepare?
Contact the building manager or co-ownership representative and describe the floors involved. Ask for plans and information about the shared network. Identify who will coordinate access and possible service interruptions; work in one flat may affect others.
Which documents should I keep after waste removal?
Ask for records relating to your site. In Flanders, OVAM recommends asking the contractor for a copy of the signed identification form or equivalent proof showing the waste’s origin and destination. This traceability does not replace the documents needed to put the network back into service.