Electrical safety and ceiling insulation
When properly installed, insulation is a low cost, safe and beneficial material that reduces green house gas emissions, and lowers heating and cooling bills.
The Electrical Safety Office advises however that there are two significant electrical safety concerns relating to the installation of building insulation materials. These are the risk of accidentally contacting live electrical parts while installing insulation and the risk of fire resulting from insulation materials being too close to, or covering electrical equipment.
On March 9, tough new mandatory safety measures to minimise the risks associated with electrically conductive foil ceiling insulation were introduced. The Ministerial Notice under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 requires insulation installers arrange an inspection by a licensed electrical contractor before foil insulation is installed in a ceiling.
From Sunday 1 November 2009, all Queensland insulation installers, whether or not operating under the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Scheme, will be required to take additional electrical safety measures to protect themselves and Queensland householders.
More information on the new safety requirements and on ceiling insulation generally is available by following the links below.
Information for consumers
- ceiling insulation installed prior to 9 March 2010
- ceiling insulation installed from 9 March 2010
- Electrical safety inspections for foil insulation
- Installing ceiling insulation and your health and safety.
Legislation and information for installers
Ministerial Notice for home ceiling insulation and electrical safety
New mandatory safety measures to minimise the risks associated with electrically conductive foil ceiling insulation.
Electrical safety inspection for foil insulation
The Federal Government has issued information and a fact sheet on electrical safety inspections for homes installed with foil insulation under the Australian Government's Home Insulation Program.
Ministerial Notice to all Queensland insulation installers
Details about the new legal requirements for all Queensland insulation installers.
Electrical Safety (Installation of Ceiling Insulation) Notice 2009
Copy of the Ministerial Notice pursuant to the Electrical Safety Act 2002.
Wiring Rules clause 4.5.2.3 - Recessed luminaries
Extract from the wiring rules AS/NZS 3000:2007.
Risk Management Code of Practice 2007 Supplement 2 - Risk Assessment
Further information to assist insulation installers in carrying out the required risk assessment.
Risk Assessment Training Register
Risk management template for insulation installers to assist in maintaining training records.
Insulation – installing ceiling insulation and your health and safety
Fact sheet for installers of ceiling insulation.
Insulation and downlight dangers
Obligations of insulation installers relating to insulation material around downlights.
Safety alerts
- Fatality of ceiling insulation installer (5th February 2010)
- Fatality of ceiling insulation installer (25th November 2009)
- Installing ceiling insulation - health and safety information (3rd November 2009)
- Fatality of ceiling insulation installer (15th October 2009)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions for installers and consumers
Frequently asked questions about ceiling insulation for Queensland insulation installers and consumers
Australian Government rebate program
Important changes to the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Program came into effect from 2 November 2009. For information relating to the installation of ceiling insulation under the Home Insulation Program, please visit www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or call 1800 808 571.