Married Quarters (MQ) Residents 18 June 2008 at 8:51PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in UK Armed Forces MoneySaving 421 replies 86.1K views

kitchpoo

I work for MHS (If you are in Married Quarters in the UK you'll know who we are and what we do) as a Technical Officer , if you have any issues regarding quarters and what MHS should be doing please dont hesitate to contact me.

johng_uk

kitchpoo wrote: »

I work for MHS (If you are in Married Quarters in the UK you'll know who we are and what we do) as a Technical Officer , if you have any issues regarding quarters and what MHS should be doing please dont hesitate to contact me.

Hi and thanks for opening this thread!

angelaharding85

Thanks Kitchpoo. We live in married quarters and have found asbestos in our bath & roof! Have phoned to complain and told someone will be out 10-15 days!!! Isn't asbestos illegal?!

Thanks

MTW_2

Asbestos is very emotive stuff and there are several different types. It can't be used in new builds but it would have been impossible to remove it completely as it was widely used up to about 1970.
It is still contained in many older buildings and people rub along with it without problem.

It is most dangerous in minute particles (respirable dust) so unless it is breaking up I would not panic to much.

see the link for further info
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/DoingWorkYourself/DG_10022562

angelaharding85

I understand what you mean MTW, but I would have expected better! Also, if it is now illegal to buy a house with it (I preume ok if buyer is made aware) then I'm angry army have put us here knowing and not said anything!

Mind you I expect anything from them!! LOL:mad:

johng_uk

angelaharding85 wrote: »

Thanks Kitchpoo. We live in married quarters and have found asbestos in our bath & roof! Have phoned to complain and told someone will be out 10-15 days!!! Isn't asbestos illegal?!

Thanks

We were staying at RAF Coltishall a few years back. The strip light in the kitchen went completely, Due to the asbestos in the roof, they had to strap another light fitting onto the fitting that already existed. This was because they couldn't rip the old fitting out due to asbestos!

I think you'll find a lot of the old quarters riddled with this, and yes it is highly dangerous which is why they can't work with it. I think it's only dangerous when converted into particle form - i.e. when it's cut up, sanded etc.

kitchpoo

angelaharding85 wrote: »

Thanks Kitchpoo. We live in married quarters and have found asbestos in our bath & roof! Have phoned to complain and told someone will be out 10-15 days!!! Isn't asbestos illegal?!

Thanks

The previous poster did cover most of the issues, but yes, the loft in MQ's should be off limits anyway. Quarters are randomly tested for asbestos content and risk assessed. If it is left alone it poses no risk to occupant. If you have concerns you can ask the helpdesk, or if they raise a survey for a Tech officer, to look on the asbestos register which should denote the grade of asbestos.

If I told you how many things contain asbestos you would be amazed, especially in army quarters.

kitchpoo

angelaharding85 wrote: »

I understand what you mean MTW, but I would have expected better! Also, if it is now illegal to buy a house with it (I preume ok if buyer is made aware) then I'm angry army have put us here knowing and not said anything!

Mind you I expect anything from them!! LOL:mad:

This sounds like an education matter for the Housing Officer, On Move-ins with some Housing Officers they inform of the possible Asbestos Content, but some dont. In your housing pack there should be a page describing the potential risks and this should be gone through at hand over by the Housing Officer.

kitchpoo

johng_uk wrote: »

We were staying at RAF Coltishall a few years back. The strip light in the kitchen went completely, Due to the asbestos in the roof, they had to strap another light fitting onto the fitting that already existed. This was because they couldn't rip the old fitting out due to asbestos!

I think you'll find a lot of the old quarters riddled with this, and yes it is highly dangerous which is why they can't work with it. I think it's only dangerous when converted into particle form - i.e. when it's cut up, sanded etc.

My neck of the woods!!

Up to about 2 years ago the Health and Safety Exec treated all asbestos as the most dangerous type, even if its content and risk was low, this was then relaxed to reflect the low content and risk associated with the asbestos grade. On the lowest grade, such as asbestos in artex, it can now be worked on by the standard workforce (and not treated like nuclear waste, occupant move out, taped up, air monitors, full suits, and qualified staff costing £2000 + per ceiling removal!). As long as the correct risk assessment and proceedures are used - it usually involves PVA coating the area, and using like a plastic bubble over the working area. Disposal still has to comply with higher regulations though.

lopez75

Hi,
I want to find out when my bathroom was fitted and kitchen as they are in an awful state. And I would like to know when my MQ was last redecorated. Who do I contact? MHS or the Housing Officer?

Many thanks.

johng_uk

kitchpoo wrote: »

My neck of the woods!!

Up to about 2 years ago the Health and Safety Exec treated all asbestos as the most dangerous type, even if its content and risk was low, this was then relaxed to reflect the low content and risk associated with the asbestos grade. On the lowest grade, such as asbestos in artex, it can now be worked on by the standard workforce (and not treated like nuclear waste, occupant move out, taped up, air monitors, full suits, and qualified staff costing £2000 + per ceiling removal!). As long as the correct risk assessment and proceedures are used - it usually involves PVA coating the area, and using like a plastic bubble over the working area. Disposal still has to comply with higher regulations though.

We were there from late 2004 - mid 2006