New foil insulation inspection regime
Greg Combet
posted Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Greg Combet, Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency today announced strong measures to deal with concerns about foil insulation that has been installed under the Government’s Home Insulation Program.
“Significant risks have been identified in relation to the installation of foil insulation, a metal product which is highly conductive,” said Mr Combet.
“I have received advice from the Electrical Safety Office in Queensland recommending that horizontally laid foil insulation be removed or, alternatively, that safety switches be installed in household electrical circuits.”
“This specific advice post-dates the termination of the Program, and was not therefore available to the previous Minister, Peter Garrett, during the operation of the Program.”
“As a consequence of this and similar advice recently received from organisations including Master Electricians Australia and the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Government is as a matter of urgency preparing a plan for the safe removal of foil insulation or alternatively the installation of safety switches.”
“The Australian Government will fully fund the foil removal or safety switch installation program for houses that have had foil insulation installed under the Program.”
“In the meantime the Government will continue with its commitment to electrical safety inspections. An announcement concerning the details of these further measures will be made as soon as possible.”
“The Government is determined to address the safety issues that have arose in relation to the installation of foil insulation in homes across ceiling joists under the Program.”
Foil insulation has been installed in approximately 50,300 homes, the vast majority in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
“I am advised that foil insulation products, if used and installed correctly, are safe and effective products and that they will continue to be widely used in the construction industry.”
“Foil product is most commonly used as insulation lining around external walls and rooves, inside the wall cladding and roof cladding during home construction.”
“However, Because of its conductivity, and its proximity to electrical wiring, it is now held that horizontally laid foil insulation on the ceiling joists is unsafe.”