Municipality wants to change district heating meter

[useless]

Now you're taking the matter to the extreme. Now it was like this, it's confirmed that there is asbestos, so it MUST be handled by trained personnel if someone is going there to perform work professionally. There is no way around it. One can think whatever they want about it, that's the way it is. A private person can decontaminate themselves, but since they are not trained, they cannot certify that it was done correctly, even if it is done according to all the rules of the art. What I mean is that if you know that a layperson has been tearing at asbestos, there may be suspicion of the spread of larger amounts, which means that a professional is not allowed to work there until the matter is investigated.

I suspect (or rather know) that I have asbestos in my pipe insulation. If I remove it myself without any kind of training or documentation - How is someone who later comes there to perform a professional job supposed to know that there has been asbestos there?

 

[Eija Johansson]

I suspect (or rather know) that I have asbestos in my pipe insulation. If I remove it myself without any training or documentation - How will anyone who later comes to perform professional work know that there was asbestos there?

I understand. But I hadn't planned on removing any asbestos, rather encapsulating it...

 

[Gimp]

Had a "gubbe" from a cleaning company at home today to look at the "problem areas" and he thought I should paint over what was open. See photo. For the other pipe that is behind the actual heating system, he suggested using foam sealant to seal it... seems reasonable, but since I've never done this before, I feel a bit worried. How much foam can one spray without the existing insulation bursting?

He said, just like someone else in the thread, that the municipality cannot possibly require an authorized company to do the work... after all, it's me as the homeowner who decides...

The "saneringsgubbe" said I could fill in the checklist for the actions taken myself. If it wasn't approved, they would come and take an asbestos sample. He wasn't worried, but thought I could fix what was needed at a much lower cost. He also confirmed that the person who was to carry out the meter replacement is infamous and has caused several of the cleaning companies here in town to not want to take the job... Any tips?

Wow, nice to see that there seem to be sensible people who don't play on people's fears to sell their services expensively.

 

[Claes Sörmland]

Had a "gubbe" from a cleaning company at home today to look at the "problem areas" and he thought I should paint over the open part. See photo. The other pipe that is behind the actual heating system, he suggested I use foam and seal it with that... seems reasonable, but since I have never done this before, I feel a bit worried. How much foam do you dare to spray in without the existing insulation bursting?
he said, just like someone else in the thread, that the municipality cannot possibly require an authorized company to do the work... after all, it's me as the homeowner who decides...
The "cleaning gubbe" said I could fill out the checklist for the actions taken myself. If it was not approved, they would come and take an asbestos sample. He was not worried, but thought that I could take care of what was needed at a significantly lower cost. He also confirmed that the person who was supposed to perform the meter replacement is notorious and made it so that several of the cleaning companies available here in town do not want to take on the job... Any tips?

Sounds like a sensible person. Don't be afraid of the foam, you put in a small blob and then over the next hour, it expands in volume. If you use too little, you can add a little more the next day.

And at the same time, it's somewhat the case that the ball is in the court of the district heating company. If they don't want to change now, then it's their problem. Let it go for half a year or a year and they will come back. Time heals all wounds, they usually become more pragmatic over time. You might even be lucky and the district heating guy will have a new job then.

 

[Claes Sörmland]

But the risk assessment begins with the builder, in this case, TS, even if they are a novice. TS can delegate their Bas-P responsibility when they contract the entrepreneur who usually only has Bas-U responsibility. But these do not become better or worse if the size of the job is big or small if all parties manage their commitments well…

You are focused on theoretical responsibility. What it's about here is empirical risk. That is, to encounter fraudsters in the sanitation industry. There are plenty of those, at least in Stockholm.

 

[Eija Johansson]

Sounds like a reasonable person. Don't be afraid of the foam, you apply a little bit and then over the next hour it expands in volume. If you use too little, you can add more the next day.

And it's kind of like the ball is in the district heating company's court. If they don't want to change now, it's their problem. Let six months or a year pass, and they'll come back. Time heals all wounds, they usually become more pragmatic over time. If you're lucky, the district heating guy might have a new job by then.

The problem is that the municipality has to replace the meter (it's a parliamentary decision... applies to the whole country, of course.) Personally, I think it's unnecessary since the entire district heating exchanger is supposed to be replaced, I was thinking in the spring. I think those of us with these old systems should be exempt from replacing the meter... but it doesn't seem to be possible😳🙄. It's hard to discuss with the municipality as they have several consultants involved... (young people who read beforehand and don't understand the issue)... it requires enormous energy😡

 

[useless]

Respond that you have scheduled an asbestos removal in December next year.

 

[Claes Sörmland]

The problem is that the municipality must make the meter change (A parliamentary decision on that... applies to the whole country, of course.) Personally, I think it feels unnecessary since the entire district heating exchanger is supposed to be replaced, I had thought, in the spring. I think those of us who have these old ones should be exempt from changing the meter... but it doesn't seem possible😳🙄. It's difficult to discuss with the municipality since they have several consultants involved... (young people who read beforehand and don't understand the issue)... requires enormous energy😡

The simplest in that situation is to stay put. If they want to change and are motivated, they will get in touch. You are not responsible for the district heating provider's maintenance, no matter how much the foot soldiers want you to be.

 

[Eija Johansson]

Sounds like a sensible person. Don't be afraid of the foam, you apply a small dab, and over the next hour, it expands in volume. If you use too little, you can add a bit more the next day.

And at the same time, it’s a bit like the ball is in the court of the district heating company. If they don’t want to change now, it’s their problem. Let it go for six months or a year, and they’ll come back. Time heals all wounds; they usually become more pragmatic over time. If you're lucky, the district heating guy will have a new job by then.

Thanks for the info! I would absolutely prefer both the meter replacement and the district heating system change to happen when the temperature is more pleasant...but I feel like David against Goliath, even though I am a woman😉

 

[Jonatan79]

Now you're taking the matter to extremes. It was like this that it is confirmed that there is asbestos, then it MUST be handled by trained personnel if someone is going there to perform work professionally. It can't be bypassed. You can think what you want about it, but that's the way it is.

A private person can clean up themselves, but since they don't have training, they can't certify that it has been done correctly, even if it has been carried out according to all the rules.

What I mean is that if you know that a layperson has been tampering with asbestos, there can be suspicion of spreading larger amounts, which means a professional cannot work there until the matter is investigated.

No, it wasn't confirmed asbestos at all since TS hasn't done any testing yet. You're a bit uptight and seem to interpret the "rules" in your own little special way.

The advice that TS informs the municipality/district heating supplier that she'll get back to them once she has investigated the matter and replace the other part at the same time is very wise. TS can also take the opportunity to ban the so-called craftsman (your brother?) from entering her house; there are certainly more installers...

 

[lordi]

I suspect (or rather know) that I have asbestos in my pipe insulation. If I remove it myself without any training or documentation - How will anyone who comes later to perform professional work know that there was asbestos there?

They don't know. And it is on your conscience to ensure it is done properly.

However, as I persistently try to argue like a fool, IF they know, then the workplace regulations apply.
It's not possible to protect against all hidden dangers in the workplace, but for the ones you know about, you take precautions.
Those who worked at Lomma Eternit did it in good faith because no one knew it was dangerous. Had they known then, many would probably have gone home.

 

[lordi]

No, it was not confirmed asbestos as the original poster has not done any testing yet. You seem a bit uptight and appear to interpret the "rules" in your own special way.

The advice for the original poster to inform the municipality/district heating provider that she will get back to them after investigating the matter and to replace the other part simultaneously is very wise. The original poster can also take the opportunity to ban the so-called craftsman (your brother?) from entering her house, as there are surely other technicians....

I have taken several courses on the subject and I can say from the pictures that it is 100% asbestos in that pipe insulation. I would like you to tell me how the rules should be interpreted. I may be wrong.

 

[Jonatan79]

I have attended several courses on the subject, and I can say from the pictures that there is 100% asbestos in that pipe insulation.
I would like you to tell me how the rules should be interpreted. I may be wrong.

I would also guess that there is asbestos material in the pipe insulation. But where in the rules does it state that work cannot be performed in a room at a private residence with these types of pipes? Asbestos cannot release itself and the pipes have presumably not been cut for many years.

 

[Claes Sörmland]

I have taken several courses on the subject and from the pictures, I can say that it is 100% asbestos in that pipe insulation.
I would like you to tell me how the rules should be interpreted. I could be wrong.

Are you suggesting there is a legal requirement to remove all materials in buildings where it is known or likely that there is asbestos? If so, I would like to read the regulation text. What is the name of the regulation?

 

[Dilato]

Thank you for the information! I would absolutely like both the meter change and the district heating system installation to occur when the temperature is more pleasant... but I feel like David against Goliath, even though I am a woman😉

Out of curiosity, could you take pictures that show a bit more of an overview of where the meter to be replaced is located so we can assess the risk (currently, there are only close-ups of details)?