Influence of Public Financial Support on the Process of Roof Covering Replacement and Safety of Civil Structures

This article constitutes an analysis of the influence of public financial support on the process of replacement of the asbestos-cement sheets used as a roof covering for materials safe for the environment. Commonly used asbestos-cement sheets, known under the commercial name of „Eternit”, should be removed of civil structures by 2032 following a program established by the Polish state. However, the carried-out analysis indicates that until present times the products containing asbestos have been properly identified in all municipalities across Poland, and also the amount of financial support that a property owner may obtain for removal of products containing asbestos is relatively low comparing to the costs of the roofing replacement. The cost of roof covering replacement falls within the range. 18.417 – 41.232 PLN/m², so for the roof area of 100 m² and considering the simplest roof structure (gable roof) the cost would total between 18.417 and 41.232 PLN. Therefore the existing system of public financial support providing funds for asbestos removal only will not affect the investor’s decision regarding replacement of roof covering and increase of civil structures safety. The replacement process of dangerous Eternit roof covering is slow and most probably the established programmed will not be completed on time.