Safety check-list before insulating your place

Published: 14.07.2009

The government has recently announced a new insulation and energy efficient heating programme to start on 1 July 2009. Work could include installing thermal insulation in ceiling spaces as well as under floor thermal insulation in dwellings.

Energy Safety has recorded a number of incidents and fires caused by faulty insulation installation work. The incidents include serious injury or death of the installer when insulation material has been accidently stapled into power cables. Fires to houses are generally caused when the insulation is installed too close to a light fitting in the ceiling space predominantly downlight installations.

For information on how to safely install under floor insulation and help prevent serious incidents, installers can refer to the Energy Safety online safety alert: “Installing Under Floor Thermal Insulation – Electric Shock Hazard”.

In the case of installing ceiling insulation the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice available online for The Installation of Recessed Luminaires (NZECP:54:2001) includes safe distances for combustible materials and thermal insulation to recessed luminaires.

Energy Safety urges insulation installers to refer to the above links and emphasises that prevention is the key.

To mitigate risks and accidents it is critical for installers to perform:

the pre-installation hazard assessment
the subsequent isolation of electrical hazards prior to the installation work
safety checks at the conclusion of the installation

For further advice you may contact Energy safety at info@energysafety.govt.nz or freephone at 0508 377 4636.