Installation key to home fire safety
21/Sep/2009
Installation key to home fire safety
The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) moved to correct misconceptions about the risks and combustibility of insulation following the recent spate of fires involving downlights and insulation.
Mr Dennis D’Arcy, ICANZ CEO said, “Insulation placed over downlights has been identified as one of the causes of these fires. Covering downlights and other heat-generating electrical fittings including exhaust fans, 12-volt lighting and transformers is in contravention of the Australian Standards and manufacturers’ installation directions.
“The current Federal Government’s insulation retrofit program includes Australian standards to adequately protect downlights and covering them is in breach of these requirements,” Mr D’Arcy said.
The Government has also commenced a program of auditing and site inspections and all installers are required to undergo basic OH&S training. Installers are also encouraged to undertake installation-training courses that are now available nationally.
“To achieve the proper energy efficiency result and have product installed safely, ICANZ believes all installers should be required to undertake training on the correct installation as well as OH&S requirements,” Mr D’Arcy said.
He added that there is some misconception about the combustibility of insulation batts.
“Householders can be reassured that glasswool and rockwool insulation batts are fire safe and have been proven through extensive trials to be non-combustible.”
“As an additional safety precaution, glasswool and rockwool insulation batts are required to be trimmed to leave a permanent gap between the insulation, downlight and other electrical fitting. This allows any excess heat to escape without affecting the performance of the insulation.”
“Some installers have introduced the practice of simply rolling out blanket insulation and covering downlights. This contravenes the Standards’ requirements and will increase the risks of downlights overheating and potentially catching fire.”
“Loose fill granular insulation material requires permanent barriers or partitioning to keep it clear of electrical fittings,” Mr D’Arcy said.
Consumers should inform themselves about the insulation they are installing because not all insulation is the same. To get the best performance insulation should:
- meet the Australian Standards
- continue to perform at its optimum for the life of the building
- require no or limited ongoing maintenance or top ups once it is installed, and
- be non-combustible.
“ICANZ recommends to householders to ask their insulation contractor for life time warranties on both the thermal and fire safety performance of the insulation proposed prior to committing to having the insulation installed,” Mr D’Arcy said.
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Media inquiries: Glenn Schaube: 0439 320 151 GRS Communications
