ELECTRICAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS FOR FOIL INSULATION

Every home that has foil insulation installed under the Government’s Home Insulation Program will undergo an electrical safety inspection, Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced.
Mr Garrett said the move to a full program of electrical safety inspections followed the findings of inspections to date which had identified examples of ‘live’ insulation in roofs.
“Householder safety is the absolute priority under this program. This full program of electrical safety inspections for foil insulation reinforces that commitment,” said Mr Garrett.
“In order to ensure this is rolled out as quickly as possible the program for inspections will roll out in two ways.

“In the first instance a householder will be able to engage any licenced electrician to conduct a safety inspection, and where necessary, rectification work related to the installation of foil insulation under the HIP.

“This will ensure that householders will not be out of pocket for any inspection or rectification works. The licenced electrician will be able to seek reimbursement of the costs from the Commonwealth.

“Beyond the immediate term the Government will also engage one or more organisations to ensure all homes with foil insulation installed under this program are inspected and, where necessary, rectified.”

The Government will be writing to all homes that have had foil insulation installed under the HIP advising householders of the situation and their options. A hotline, 131 792, has been set up to provide information to affected householders.

Electrical safety issues that are identified as a result of these inspections will be rectified and the Commonwealth will seek to recover the costs of that rectification from the installer, including by withholding payments for other installations.

The Department will continue consultations with technical experts and electrical safety authorities, as well as the foil insulation industry, and based on the outcome of these discussions I will consider what additional steps will be required if foil insulation is to remain eligible for a rebate under the Home Insulation Program.
Mandatory training standards for all insulation installers commence from Friday, February 12.
 

 

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