PinkyAa Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 I picked up an old kiln and am concerned the insulation may be asbestos? How can I find out if it does? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 You would need to provide a sample to a lab to analyze by microscopy. It’s usually best to contact a licensed asbestos contractor to collect and submit to an approved lab in your jurisdiction. They generally will follow protocols on collection so as not to disturb and contaminate the space the kiln resides in, provide chain of custody verification, and submit to an accredited lab for analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyAa Posted November 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 Thanks so much. Ill get a sample sent off in the next few days. Do you by any chance know if the insulation can be changed or if it renders the kiln useless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 (edited) Likely can be removed and replaced. Talk to your licensed contractor who is testing it though for a removal and remediation price, then anyone qualified can install new fiber to replace it. Hopefully it tests as fiber insulation, not asbestos containing. Edited November 20, 2022 by Bill Kielb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 (edited) Get it tested but looks like early ceramic fibre, asbestos not used like that for many decades. Ceramic fibre not to be used casually either, very bad if inhaled and irritates the skin. Can get a spray but better to replace with ceramic board. Use a mask near that puppy. What are the specis on your kiln? Date etc Manufacturer could give info you need. The asbestos/ ceramic fibre top looks like a home jobbie to replace a faulty top., the sag is greatly reducing your interior space. Check all other stuff needing work. Could get expensive. Edited November 20, 2022 by Babs PinkyAa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 (edited) Its ceramic fiber as asbestos is not as high heat as one might think. Ceramic fiber is what you have there.It's held up with a button system. Edited November 20, 2022 by Mark C. PinkyAa and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 yep, the early version looked like that. pinky, where is lithgow? cannot imagine where you are if you do not say so. PinkyAa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyAa Posted November 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 Thanks so much! PinkyAa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyAa Posted November 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 2 hours ago, Babs said: Get it tested but looks like early ceramic fibre, asbestos not used like that for many decades. Ceramic fibre not to be used casually either, very bad if inhaled and irritates the skin. Can get a spray but better to replace with ceramic board. Use a mask near that puppy. What are the specis on your kiln? Date etc Manufacturer could give info you need. The asbestos/ ceramic fibre top looks like a home jobbie to replace a faulty top., the sag is greatly reducing your interior space. Check all other stuff needing work. Could get expensive. The kiln was very cheap so I am happy to spend a little bit to get it in good working order. Thanks for the information and advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyAa Posted November 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 32 minutes ago, oldlady said: yep, the early version looked like that. pinky, where is lithgow? cannot imagine where you are if you do not say so. Lithgow is a small city in NSW, Australia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 Looks like silica fiber to me. As Babs said, it's not great for the lungs, either. If it's stable where it is, just leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 21, 2022 Report Share Posted November 21, 2022 Lithgow is a town in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia -just googled it PinkyAa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted November 21, 2022 Report Share Posted November 21, 2022 17 hours ago, PinkyAa said: am concerned the insulation may be asbestos? How can I find out if it does? Testing is the only way to know for sure. Many fibers at different periods were produced with a percentage of asbestos, generally up to 20%. It’s impossible to tell by looking at it and most countries have rules that presume it does contain until it can be tested and confirmed as not containing. If it’s ceramic fiber, you can leave it, re- fiber it or install rigid fiber among other things. Rigid fiber are made now to 3000 f degrees. FYI - Most fiber outperforms Insulated fire brick slightly with respect to energy losses and inches of insulation required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyAa Posted November 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2022 Thank you! I sent a sample off to be tested today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 21, 2022 Report Share Posted November 21, 2022 1 hour ago, PinkyAa said: Thank you! I sent a sample off to be tested today! Who are the makers? May not need an expensive test. Contact the owner or maker. Portakiln?? Should be a descriptive label s.where. That sag will worsen with age, dropping bits onto your ware, and you'll end up inhaling it. I ended up propping up the top of my kiln with an old shelf, mine was a top loader. Better to get a piece of ceramic fibre board as you may have to dismantle to realign or replace bricks. Is the first photo the door?it doesn't look too bad. Find out if you can paint or spray it with something to stabilize it. Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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