Is this asbestos?

Zephyrprime

This boiler is from 1983.  I was wonder if this is an asbestos panel?  The boiler is a Weil-McLain he-5.  Also, does anyone know how to remove this panel?  It's held in place by grooves on either side.

EdTheHeaterMan

No picture attached. It is probably not asbestos because the HE boiler series was built after the asbestos problem was discovered. The material is most likely high temperature ceramic fiber insulation. You still don't want to breath in the fibers that flake off.

A picture would be better to tell you for sure I have attached 2 illustrations of non-asbestos insulation from the HE boiler manual illustrations.

Zephyrprime

I have included a picture now

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Zephyrprime why not call Weil McLain and send them the picture and the question. I am sure it will take 25 phone calls and a big run around before you get an answer. I would guess no asbestos but guessing does not count

EdTheHeaterMan

That is Ceramic fiber insulation. this is the Material Safety Data Sheets that apply
https://www.lynnmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/sds/SDS-TC-201.pdf
https://www.lynnmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/sds/SDS-TC-252.pdf

WMno57

Six page users manual here.
https://www.weil-mclain.com/he-and-vhe-5
It mentions "Ceramic fiber material" on page 4, so you might have dodged the asbestos bullet. Very limited instructions on how to take it apart for maintenance and cleaning. The instructions don't seem to answer your panel removal question.

Mad Dog_2

1970 or so, the industry was finally acknowledging the deleterious effects of The Miracle Mineral.  They still used it in some products but drastically less so.  I'd think by 1983, that would not be ACM.  Call WM TECH support tommorow.   Mad dog 🐕 

mattmia2

I would test it if you're going to disturb it. Flooring was being manufactured with asbestos until 1987, roof cements and similar products long after that. There was a weird rule for a long time that materials with less than 1% asbestos were not asbestos. This begs the question of how those products were manufactured, seems like it would be almost impossible to not expose the workers to it in the process, not to mention mining it.

ChrisJ

mattmia2 said:

I would test it if you're going to disturb it. Flooring was being manufactured with asbestos until 1987, roof cements and similar products long after that. There was a weird rule for a long time that materials with less than 1% asbestos were not asbestos. This begs the question of how those products were manufactured, seems like it would be almost impossible to not expose the workers to it in the process, not to mention mining it.

I think some aftermarket brakes, clutch discs etc for cars / trucks may still contain asbestos.
It's never technically been banned from what I can tell. Just many shied away from it due to lawsuits etc.

@Zephyrprime It's my opinion that if you try to remove that panel, it's going to become garbage and need to be replaced. I'd leave it alone unless you have no choice. I'd also avoid breathing it whether it's asbestos or not. I personally don't like ceramic or fiberglass in my lungs either.

mattmia2

ChrisJ said:

I think some aftermarket brakes, clutch discs etc for cars / trucks may still contain asbestos.
It's never technically been banned from what I can tell. Just many shied away from it due to lawsuits etc.

I have heard that the oem pads for one of the big boats that had disc brakes designed in the 60's like the caprice or crown vic used asbestos pads much later than you'd think(or maybe used until it went out of production) to solve a noise problem.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I started in 73. I can remember going to a supply house and buying bags of asbestos in the mid 70s so it was still available then.

OldawgBryant

I would think if you encapsulate it with lead paint, you should be good... But seriously, there are still products in the building industry with trace amounts of Asbestos used.