One of the most common questions Duratite receives is: "Is it actually legal to spray a coating over an asbestos cement roof instead of removing it?" The short answer is yes — but only when the work is carried out the right way, under the right controls, by trained operatives. This article walks through the exact legal framework, names the regulations involved, and explains how a compliant asbestos roof encapsulation job is built from the ground up.
The Short Answer
Yes — coating an asbestos cement roof is a lawful and widely used way of managing the sheets in place, provided the work is done the right way. In the Republic of Ireland that means complying with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006–2025, enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA): the roof is surveyed first, the work is risk-assessed and planned, an HSA permit is in place, operatives are trained and wear suitable RPE and PPE, and the asbestos fibres are never disturbed by high-pressure washing, breaking or abrasion. Duratite installations are built around this framework and every job is documented accordingly.
What the Irish Regulations Say
The Exposure to Asbestos Regulations (S.I. 386 of 2006, amended by S.I. 589 of 2010 and S.I. 632 of 2025) are the main legislation on asbestos in the workplace in the Republic of Ireland. For an asbestos cement roof, a compliant job follows these steps:
| Step | What It Means in Practice | When |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos survey | Identify and assess the asbestos-containing materials on the roof | Before the work is priced and planned |
| Risk assessment and plan of work | Exposure controls, RPE and PPE, waste handling and emergency procedures | Before the permit application |
| HSA permit | Notify the HSA with the plan of work and risk assessment | At least 10 days before work starts |
The HSA permit requirement applies from 30 December 2025, so the 10-day notice period needs to be built into every programme. Duratite's standard method (biocide wash, GacoPatch, GacoPrime, GacoFlex S42) is designed so that none of the stages involves mechanical disturbance, dust generation or high-pressure water, and the plan of work and risk assessment are prepared as part of every project.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own framework. Asbestos work there is governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), with CDM (NI) 2016 applying to construction projects. The principles are the same — survey first, assess the risk, plan the work, train the operatives and never disturb the sheets — but notification and paperwork follow the Northern Ireland rules, so Duratite prepares the compliance pack for whichever jurisdiction the building is in.
Training Requirement
Every operative who works on or near asbestos-containing materials must have recognised asbestos awareness training, refreshed regularly, and the level of training should match the task being carried out. For encapsulation jobs, operatives working on Duratite projects hold recognised asbestos awareness training as a minimum, and their training records are included in the compliance pack.
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RAMS and Risk Controls
Every Duratite asbestos roof job is delivered with a site-specific Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) that records: the scope of work, fibre exposure control measures, RPE and PPE specification, waste handling, emergency procedures, and operative training records. The RAMS is issued before work starts, signed by the client, and retained for the life of the project.
Typical Control Measures
Spray application from a distance that minimises over-spray; low-pressure biocide wash instead of jet-wash; captured wash water where required; respiratory protection appropriate to the task; decontamination procedure at break times and end of day; and a documented handover pack with photographs and wet-film records.
What Is Never Acceptable
Certain activities are never acceptable on an asbestos cement roof:
• High-pressure water jetting — releases fibres.
• Dry brushing or sweeping — aerosolises dust.
• Mechanical abrasion — grinding, sanding, wire-brushing.
• Walking directly on AC sheets without load spreading.
• Work without proper RAMS and trained operatives.
If you are offered a quote that includes any of these, the contractor is not operating compliantly. Walk away.
How Duratite Complies
Every Duratite project is delivered through our approved installer network by operatives with recognised asbestos awareness training, with full RAMS, fully manufacturer-documented Gaco products, appropriate insurance, and a 20-year manufacturer-backed product warranty on GacoFlex S42. The compliance pack is part of the deliverable and is available for clients' insurers, landlords and HSA or HSENI inspectors on request. Email info@duratite.ie to discuss your building.