Foil Insulation Suspended from Program

Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, suspended the use of foil insulation nation-wide under the Home Insulation Program, effective today.

“Today we have taken swift action to suspend foil insulation from use under the Home Insulation Program," Mr Garrett said.

“Safety of householders and installers is an absolute priority for the program.

“Metallic foil is conductive and when installed incorrectly, without undertaking the mandatory risk assessments and in breach of clear program requirements, this product can be dangerous. 

“Unfortunately, despite strong measures taken to date, including banning the use of metal fasteners for foil insulation in November last year, we are still seeing evidence of foil installations which do not met clear program requirements.

“It is for that reason why we have taken steps today to suspend its use under this program.

“I have instructed my Department to continue urgent consultations with technical experts and electrical safety authorities and based on the outcome of these discussions I will consider what additional steps will be required if foil insulation is to remain eligible under the Home Insulation Program.

“As I have said consistently, safety is the absolute priority under this program.  That is why we have already raised safety standards, making them tougher than those in the Australian Standards and the Building Code.

“We believe that safe use of products, mandatory training or minimum skill requirements, combined with formal risk assessments and enhanced training materials, are the best ways to ensure safety for householders and installers.

“It’s non-negotiable – all installers must undertake a formal risk assessment before installing any kind of insulation.”

Minister Garrett said the Government will not tolerate anyone who breaches the Program Guidelines. Installers have already been struck off the Installer Provider Register, and that will continue to happen as soon as there has been a breach of the guidelines.  

Mandatory training standards for all insulation installers commence from this Friday, 12 February 2010.

The Government will continue to work closely with industry groups and continue the process of safety audits of work to date.

Should households or installers have any concerns regarding this measure, I encourage them to contact the hotline on 1800 808 571 or visit:

http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/index.html

Please note that Installers who have installed foil products will be able to claim for eligible installations that have been made up to today.  However any installations involving foil products will not be eligible for assistance under the Home Insulation Program from 10 February 2010.  Claims for installations may be made after today providing that the installation occurs on or before 9 February 2010.