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Class B Asbestos Fence Removal Auckland – What Homeowners Need to Know Before Touching Those Old Fence Sheets

Class B Asbestos Fence Removal – Straight Talk for Auckland Homeowners

If you’ve got an older Auckland property with those flat, grey fence panels running along the boundary, chances are you’re staring at asbestos cement fencing. Back in the 1960s-80s, this stuff was everywhere — tough, cheap, weather-proof. But now we know better: once broken, cut, or drilled, those panels release invisible asbestos fibres that can cause deadly lung diseases.

That’s why Class B asbestos fence removal exists — a controlled, legal process that ensures old asbestos fences are removed safely, with zero dust and zero risk to you or your neighbours.

What Is Class B Asbestos Fence Removal?

Under WorkSafe NZ Asbestos Regulations 2016, all asbestos removal is split into two types:

  • Class A (friable) – soft, crumbly asbestos that breaks into dust.

  • Class B (non-friable) – solid, bonded materials like fencing sheets, roofs, and soffits.

So if your fence is cement-bonded asbestos, it’s Class B. The fibres are locked in — until someone decides to cut, smash, or dig them out without the right protection.

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How Professionals Handle Asbestos Fence Removal in Auckland

1️⃣ Inspection and Testing

A small section is sampled by a licensed asbestos assessor and tested at an accredited lab. Many fences look the same — Hardifence, Super Six, Fibrolite — but not all contain asbestos. Testing is the only way to know.

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2️⃣ Site Planning and Control Setup

Before any sheet is touched, the crew prepares an Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP):

  • Defines work zones and exclusion areas.

  • Erects barriers and warning signs.

  • Lays down plastic sheeting to catch debris.

Neighbours are notified — it’s all about transparency and compliance.

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3️⃣ Sheet-by-Sheet Removal

Each fence panel is lightly wetted to stop dust.
Bolts are removed gently by hand.
No grinders, no power saws, no smashing.
Panels are lowered whole and double-wrapped in 200-micron plastic.

The work is steady, careful, and quiet — safety beats speed every time.

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4️⃣ Clean-Up and Decontamination

Once the fence is gone, the area is vacuumed using HEPA-filtered vacs.
Waste goes into sealed, labelled bins ready for licensed transport.
The site is inspected again before clearance is issued.

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5️⃣ Waste Transport and Disposal

All asbestos waste must go to an approved hazardous waste facility — never the local dump.
Each load is tracked, logged, and signed off under HSNO and WorkSafe NZ regulations.

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Why You Should Never DIY Asbestos Fence Removal

It’s tempting to grab the crowbar and rip it out yourself — don’t.
Breaking asbestos panels releases fibres instantly.
Even if you bag it up and “dump it quietly,” it’s illegal and dangerous.

Here’s why you need a professional:

  • They’re WorkSafe-licensed Class B removalists.

  • They use the right respirators, coveralls, and negative-pressure systems.

  • They handle notification to WorkSafe NZ, waste tracking, and air safety.

  • You stay insured and compliant — no fines, no contamination, no headaches.

DIY asbestos work can leave invisible contamination in soil, gardens, and drains — turning a $2k job into a $20k cleanup.

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Spot the Signs of an Asbestos Fence

You might have an asbestos fence if:

  • It’s grey, flat, and cement-looking.

  • It has visible white fibres along cracked edges.

  • The sheets are stamped “Hardifence,” “Super Six,” or “Fibrolite.”

  • It was installed before the early 1990s.

When in doubt, test before you touch.

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The Bottom Line for Auckland Homeowners

Old asbestos fencing might look harmless, but it’s not.
It’s a silent hazard sitting right on your property line — and the only safe way to deal with it is through a licensed Class B asbestos removal contractor.

They’ll handle everything: testing, containment, removal, and disposal — so you can replace it with a new fence safely and legally.

Protect your health, your whānau, and your home. Leave asbestos to the pros.

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