New measures for conductive ceiling insulation and electrical safety
The Queensland Government has introduced strong new mandatory safety measures to minimise the risks associated with electrically conductive ceiling insulation (other than metal foil batts).
The new requirements were introduced in response to concerns that, in the wake of the Federal Government’s discontinued Home Insulation Scheme, large stockpiles of surplus foil insulation could be rushed into the marketplace and create further electrical safety risks.
The Ministerial Notice issued on 9 March 2010 retains all the requirements of the November 2009 Notice and requires installers of electrically conductive ceiling insulation to arrange a pre-installation safety inspection and test of the electrical installation in the ceiling structure by a licensed electrical contractor.
If the electrical installation is found to be unsafe, then the licensed electrical contractor will be required to leave the installation in a safe condition, or may repair the installation at the homeowner’s expense.
Where the electrical installation is found to be safe, the electrical contractor must:
- ensure safety switches are installed on all circuits in the ceiling space if the electrical safety inspection and test confirms that the electrical installation is safe
- identify and permanently mark any consumer’s mains or cable of the electrical installation in the ceiling structure not protected by an electrical safety switch
- maintain a separation distance of at least 25mm between ceiling insulation material and the consumer mains or any cables not protected by a safety switch.
If homeowners choose foil ceiling insulation products, the new arrangements put effective precautions in place to ensure the safety of workers and householders. For more information about the federal Foil Insulation Safety Program (FISP) visit the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
The Electrical Safety Office has previously issued safety alerts about the management of electrical safety risks associated with ceiling insulation concerning installation defects, vermin damage, the natural ageing of electrical cables and home maintenance activities and the Foil Insulation Safety Program.