02/09/2026
One thing people get wrong after a fire is assuming clean-up can start straight away.
If asbestos-containing materials have been damaged, Asbestos NSW says fire can cause them to “crack, break or shatter”, with fibres potentially remaining in ash and debris.
Before clean-up:
✅ Keep people out of affected areas
✅ Use fencing, barrier tape and asbestos warning signs where needed
✅ Have the property assessed if asbestos is suspected
✅ Keep damaged material controlled until licensed removal can be completed
For CDS, the make-safe is about getting the site under control before anyone else goes in. That can mean isolating the area, putting warning controls in place and treating affected material so the next stage can be planned properly.
If fire damage has affected an older property on the Central Coast, get the asbestos risk checked by CDS before clean-up or the next trade starts.
Source: Asbestos NSW, “Managing asbestos in emergencies and disasters.”
