Transite asbestos chimney, duct, flue, pipe or vent FAQs.

Page to photo: a transite (cement asbestos) gas vent passing up through a building interior wall cavity to exit at the rooftop.

This article series assists in the recognition of transite pipe used for chimneys or heating flues and discusses potential hazards of this material when it is found in buildings.

Transite Asbestos Chimney, Duct, Vent or Pipe Q&A

These questions and answers about asbestos cement (transite) chimneys and vents were posted originally at

at TRANSITE ASBESTOS CHIMNEYS, DUCTS, PIPES - be sure to check out the diagnostic suggestions on that page.

Van Packer Asbestos Cement Pipe - Gas Type B-Vent Chimney Identification Label

I have this in my attic that used to be the furnace/hot water heater vent. It now only vents the hot water heater.

Anyways, do you have any information on this? Google didn’t bring me much luck. House was built in Chicago land area in 1968/1969. - B.B. 2025/02 by private email.

Moderator Reply:

The label stamped on what is almost certainly a transite or asbestos cement pipe used as a type B gas vent identifies

Manufacturer: Van Packer

Model 1 Chimney "R" Section No. 167, Install at minimum of 1" above roof only OR Model G TYpe B Gas Vent Pipe No. G 17, Install at 1 1/2" clearance to combustibles.

Van Packer Inc. has manufactured chimneys and chimney parts in the U.S. since 1944 and the company is still in operation.

The company no longer manufactures transite or asbestos-cement chimneys; their current chimney vent line includes double-walled metal chimneys and other products.

• Contact: Van Packer Co., 302 Mill St. Buda, IL 61314 USA, Tel: (309) 895-2311 888-VPSTACK (toll free) (309) 895-3891 (fax) Email: vpstack@gmail.com Web: https://vpstack.com/out the

Our safety and other advice about transite vents and chimneys is found

at TRANSITE ASBESTOS CHIMNEYS, DUCTS, PIPES

And you can read about the history and manufacture of transite chimney pipes at CEMENT ASBESTOS PIPE MANUFACTURE.

 

Can I remove this old water heater flue completely - looks like Transite Pipe?

Old furnace and water heater flue no longer being used. Want to remove to reclaim space. Opened wall, and this is what I see. Is this asbestos cement pipe? Here are some photos of it . - On 2020-10-13 by Ang

Reply by (mod) - Yes, with proper care

Ang:

In your photos I see ductwork or flue pipe that looks like and certainly could be transite (if it is hard and cementious) or it could be metal duct wrapped in asbestos paper.

From just the photos I'm not sure which.

Tap on the material; if it's metallic it's asbestos-paper-wrapped metal duct.

Transite pipe running through a building as a chimney can be removed, but doing so safely means minimizing breakage, avoiding use of a saw or power tools that would create dust, and cleaning up any dust by damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming.

Are there any hazards from outdoor transite pipes or chimneys that are close by?

Hello, is there any danger if there is an asbestos pipe outdoors, around 2 metres away from the window or in the terrace of an apartment?

This is the distance there is to the asbestos pipes. They are located on the left side, where the wall ends. You can see the terrace also.

I show you some pictures. There are 2 long pipes, from the neighbouring building, and they show some wear.

This is in the last floor of a 3 stories building, and it is outdoors. Would it be enough to just never open that window and never use the terrace? Or can they be used safely?

I might rent this appartment. Should I better not rent it? I am worried that some asbestos might come in through the window. - On 2019-08-28 by Daniel -

Reply by (mod) -

Daniel

With the reclama that nobody can make a risk assessment for environmental exposure to hazardous materials simply from a brief e-text and some photos, I see what looks like transite - asbestos-cement pipe in some of your images and in some spots the material is deteriorating, flaking, or delaminating.

It's not likely that, left un-disturbed, there would be much airborne asbestos from a cement-asbestos product unless it's being demolished, chopped, sawn, ground, etc. but there can be ground-level hazards from accumulated cement-asbestos dust

See ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING POWER WASHING for an example of that concern.

It might make sense to at the very least seal the exterior of the transite pipe flue (or whatever it's being used-for) where it's located in a traffic area such as at a deck.

Asbestos hazard when we cut an old stainless steel insulated chimney?

We took down a stainless steel chimney that vented an old oil furnace that was taken out a few years ago.

We had to cut the chimney in half where it ran through the house. It was insulated stainless steel but there was some sort of insulation between the inner and other layer that looks like finely ground packed gray dust. Is this asbestos? On 2019-07-24 by Ferris -

Reply by (mod) - asbestos used in Metalbestos Model SS Chimney NO. 8S-30"

It is almost certainly an asbestos insulating material, Harve.

Normally these chimneys are made of sections of double or triple-walled stainless steel and contain asbestos insulating material between two or more of the layers. The two ends of each section are sealed to the stainless tubes.

As long as the chimney has not been cut or mechanically damaged it is possible to simply un-screw and dis-assemble chimney sections without any asbestos insulation leakage.

DO NOT try sawing or cutting the pipes. Rather un-screw the sections from one another.

Watch out: yes depending on its age, the insulating material in double or triple wall stainless steel chimneys could indeed be asbestos.

As you've already had a dusty spill I suggest cleanup treating the material AS IF it were asbestos: wet wipe, HEPA vacuum. Photos would permit more comment.

Are there any identifying labels or stampings on the chimney parts with a brand such as "Metalbestos" ?

What are the country and city location of the building, and what is the building age?

 

Worried about asbestos in an older double walled stainless steel chimney - how to disassemble it?

I have a question similar to On 2019-07-24 18:50:57.075933 by Ferris. Our home was built in 1972 and has a stainless, double walled vent pipe leading from the basement to the roof. It was for an old oil burning furnace.

The label on the pipe says "Metalbestos Model SS Chimney, Part no. 8S-30".

It is also filled with a gray dust like insulation layer between the pipes. I am looking to find out if this is asbestos or not? Also looking for any tips for removal.

The pipes are connected end-to-end in a male/female fashion. I am curious if the insulation is encapsulated in each pipe and if the pipes will come apart or have to be cut apart. Any feedback is appreciated! On 2019-08-08 by harvesttg - Worried

Reply by (mod) - how to dis-assemble or remove stuck-together metal chimney sections

Harvest

To remove older interlocking metal chimney sections that have got "stuck" together with age,

1. Spray the joints with a lubricant like WD40 or a penetrating oil like Liquid Wrench - allow time for the penetrating oil to soak into the joint - minutes or longer.

(Wipe off the excess drooling down the chimney so as not to make a mess)

2. Pick up a pair of strap wrenches like the Klein strap wrench I show below. These are available in diameters up to 32" -measure your chimney diameter to be sure your wrenches will be big enough.

Flip over one of the wrenches opposite to the other so that one can hold the lower chimney segment while the upper wrench rotates the upper chimney segment counter-clockwise. You may find this is a two-person job but I've done it by myself.

3. Work from the chimney top down, one segment at a time.

Sometimes the chimney segment may crunch a bit but as long as you don't break it apart there won't be any asbestos filler leakage.

Post photos of your job (one per comment) if you can and we can comment further.

Watch out: DO NOT fall off the ladder while wrenching like a madman.

Followup by harvesttg

Thank you very much. I will investigate further and hopefully I can just disassemble the pipe!

 

Asbestos liner in galvanized chimney flues?

i have a gas heating unit from 1969 2 family home. i would like to know if the galvanized metallic vent pipe coming out of the furnace has asbestos inside the vent pipe insde my basement - On 2019-03-30 by anonymous-

Reply by (mod)

Anon

It would be very uncommon for a galvanized flue vent connector to include an asbestos liner - my research has not found such a product in use for home heating systems.

But it's easy enough to take a look up through the draft hood to see the interior of the vent - use a flashlight and a mirror. Post a photo of what you see and we can comment further.

Is old galvanized pipe transite?

We have an old HVAC vent duct (basement to roof - now disconnected) in our 1932 home. It's galvanized pipe lined with ceramic material. Is there likely to be asbestos there? - On 2016-11-30 by Cara -

Reply: NO

No. Those are different materials

Reline an old transite chimney with metal flue?

I have a perfect condition transite vent from a previous water heater installation and want to use the pipe to vent an oven and the exhaust is only 150F so I want to know if anyone has just run metal flu pipe inside of the transite in regards to a building inspection so I can avoid all the issues going through the roof (old commercial roof). Any feedback ? On 2018-03-03 by Dave -

Reply by mod:

I'm doubtful that you could find a metal flue that would fit exactly inside of the existing transite chimney without losing diameter and risking inadequate, unsafe venting of your heater's flue gases.

And even if you could you'd be leaving the possibly deteriorating asbestos cement chimney.

Asbestos "stack" in old home, contractors won't touch it and say its unsafe

My son and 7 yr old grandson live in older home bought on foreclosure so no inspections were done. We just learned that the stack is asbestos and co could be immediate problem. 3 contractors won't touch it and say their children wouldn't be in that house.

He can't get a loan. He has some money saved and were all going to help him. We don't need funeral. Where do we start? We don't know who to ask for help. I'm horrified PLEASE RESPOND FAST PLEASE. God Bless. Karla

PS. Karlasgonefishing@yahoo.com. If you can help me. - On 2017-04-10 by Karla Reeder -

Reply by (mod) - check asbestos "stack" for safe venting

Start by hiring a chimney sweep certified by the national Chimney Sweep Guild if possible to inspect your chimney for fire safety safe venting.

Watch out: Before going to sleep tonight be sure you have both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide CO detectors properly installed and tested.

Where to dispose of old transite pipe

Can you throw transite pipe into any dump On 2016-09-22 by matt -

Reply:

Depending on where you live you may be able to dispose of it as construction debris. Check with your local building department or environmental agency.

Safety of an unused transite fluepipe in a crawl space

This pipe is not being used and

is in a crawl space. It was disconnected from a removed wall heater. On 2016-06-16 by keith -

Reply by (mod) - asbestos-cement pipes or chimneys that are undisturbed indoors are low risk - leave it alone

Cement-asbestos materials out of the way, not damaged, not being distrubed, are pretty harmless and can just be left alone.

Where do I get parts for Johns Manville Transite Flue Pipe?

Can you purchase parts for jm translate flue pipe and where, and what is in inside the roof housing and flashing. I was in HVAC since 1970 and never have this type of flue for gas furnace and water heater in a residential home - On 2015-11-03 by Anonymous -

Reply by (mod) - Nowhere

Anon:

I think you're asking about buying parts for a cement-asbestos transite flue or chimney. My opinion is no, on these counts:

1: you're fooling with asbestos-containing material that would be better left un-disturbed

2: the vent or chimney may not meet current safety standards

3: if the chimney is damaged or otherwise inadequate you'd be better off replacing it with a proper new metal flue: for gas that's probably a B-vent system.

Question: EPA approved sealer for transite pipe?

Is there an e p a aproved method to seal transite pipe used for heating duct in a slab foundation home - (Apr 2, 2014) dan lackey

Reply:

Not that I can find Dan but you can take a look at these sources:

1. TRANSITE CHIMNEY, PIPE,& ASBESTOS CEMENT SIDING SEALANTS

2. ASBESTOS TRANSITE DUCTWORK - sealing transite air ducts in slabs

3. SLAB DUCTWORK - sealing air ducts in slabs - general issues

4. Code of Federal Regulations: Chapter 40; Part 763 -- Asbestos
This CFR excerpt contains regulations related to asbestos-containing materials in schools; asbestos worker protection; and prohibition of the manufacture of certain asbestos products.

 

Question: OLS Luxor wood stove - from Romania - does it contain asbestos?

I have an ols luxor stove (a romanian stove company that closed)/ how can I detect if there is asbestous in the stove (this is a wood burning stove)

sorry, "ols" luxor = old "luxor"

I forgot to ask whether this company used asbest in her products - (June 16, 2014) Anonymous

Reply:

O.Lux:

Asbestos was often used in older woodburning stoves in these locations:

- asbestos rope gaskets on doors and between stove sections or components

- asbestos cement sealants between stove sections

- asbestos cement board or millboard as a component in heat shields

To know for sure if a material contains asbestos you'd have to send a sample to a certified asbestos test lab.

It would be sensible and prudent to treat stove sealants, gaskets and similar materials on an older unit as "PACM" - presumed asbestos-containing.

Question: backing behind cast iron in-wall radiators contains asbestos?

In a house built in 1949 in Nassau County Long Island, in the wall cast iron radiators, the backing behind it, paper like, shiny (but browned seemingly from years of heat, dirt) and the other side is black with long black threads going through it,

do you know if this sort of material has ever contained asbestos? I am concerned because in one area this has been torn, revealing those long black strands/threads. Thank you. - (Aug 6, 2014) Paul P

Reply:

Paul

By e-text alone no one can assert for sure whether a material contains asbestos or not.

Typically a reflector board was used behind in-wall radiators to improve heat output to the room. The ones I've seen were made of fiberboard covered with aluminum foil.

If you like, use our email found at our CONTACT link to send me some sharp photos and I may be able to comment further.\

See ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS - home for help in recognizing asbestos-containing materials.

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Continue reading at TRANSITE ASBESTOS CHIMNEYS, DUCTS, PIPES - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Transite Pipe Articles

• ASBESTOS CEMENT PRODUCTS - topic home, where we include research on the chrysotile asbestos content & hazard of asbestos cement & transite products.
• ASBESTOS DUCTS, HVAC other sources of asbestos in HVAC duct systems
• ASBESTOS ENCAPSULANTS & SEALERS - coatings, encapsulants, fiber release control for asbestos containing materials
• ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS - home
• ASBESTOS LEFT in PLACE in BUILDINGS - MANAGEMENT GUIDES
• ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS
• CEMENT ASBESTOS PIPE MANUFACTURE
• TRANSITE ASBESTOS CHIMNEYS, DUCTS, PIPES
• TRANSITE PIPE AIR DUCT ASBESTOS RISK
• TRANSITE WATER SEWER PIPE ASBESTOS RISK

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