"Class B Asbestos Removal in NZ: What Homeowners Need to Know (and Why Class A Is a Different Beast)"

Class B Asbestos Removal in New Zealand: What Homeowners Need to Know

If you're thinking about fixing up, renovating, or even just poking around in an older house here in New Zealand, there’s a four-letter word you don't want creeping into the picture: asbestos.

And not all asbestos is created equal. There’s Class A asbestos. There’s Class B asbestos. And trust me — you want to know which one you're dealing with before you lift a hammer or rip into that innocent-looking wall.

Today, we're cracking open the real story on Class B asbestos removal in NZ — in everyday language — and making sure you understand the big difference between Class A and Class B asbestos removal.

What Is Class B Asbestos?

Class B asbestos is basically the “less nasty” cousin of asbestos types.
In plain English, Class B refers to non-friable asbestos — stuff that’s still solid and bonded into other materials. It hasn’t turned into dust clouds (yet).

You’ll find Class B asbestos in things like:

• Old fibro cement sheets (think roofing and cladding)

• Some vinyl floor tiles

• Backing boards around old fuse boxes

• Asbestos cement pipes

Non-friable means it’s pretty stable — as long as you don’t go drilling, smashing, or sanding it. Leave it alone, and it might leave you alone. Start demolishing it without the right controls, though? Different story.

What Is Class A Asbestos Then?

Now, Class A asbestos is the seriously bad news.
It’s friable asbestos — meaning it crumbles like a stale biscuit with almost no effort. When it breaks down, it throws toxic asbestos fibres into the air, where you can breathe them straight into your lungs.

Class A asbestos shows up in things like:

• Asbestos insulation in ceilings and walls

• Sprayed coatings (often in commercial or industrial buildings)

• Loose fill insulation (thankfully not common in NZ homes, but still around)

If you find friable asbestos in your house, it's Class A, and you legally need a Class A Licensed Removalist to touch it. No DIY, no "she'll be right", no shortcuts.

The Big Difference Between Class A and Class B Asbestos Removal in NZ

Why Homeowners Should Never "DIY" Class B Asbestos Removal

Even though Class B seems safer, don't be fooled — you can still get sick if you mess it up.

In New Zealand, WorkSafe NZ sets the rules under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.
If you want to legally remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos, you must use a licensed Class B asbestos removal company.

Trust me, the fines are not pocket change — and that's before we even talk about risking your family’s health.

Even small removals (under 10m²) have strict rules around:

• Wearing the right P2 respirators and disposable coveralls

• Wetting materials to keep dust down

• Proper waste disposal at an approved asbestos disposal site

Skip these steps, and you could end up with contaminated air in your house... or worse.

How to Choose a Good Class B Asbestos Removalist in NZ

When you hire someone, make sure they:

• Are WorkSafe NZ Licensed for Class B asbestos removal

• Provide you with a removal control plan (yep, it’s required)

• Follow dust suppression and safe disposal rules

• Can show you air monitoring results if needed

• Offer full site decontamination after the job’s done

Ask to see their licence. Don’t just "take their word for it".

Final Thoughts: Don't Gamble With Asbestos

Whether it's Class A or Class B asbestos hiding behind your old bathroom walls, this isn’t the time to channel your inner DIY warrior.

Asbestos kills.
It’s not instant. It’s a slow, nasty way to go — and decades later, many families in New Zealand are still feeling the effects.

Play it safe:
✅ Get a proper asbestos survey before you touch anything.
✅ Bring in the pros.
✅ Sleep better at night knowing you’ve protected your family.