Installation of thermal insulation around electrical equipment and accessories

This information bulletin provides information to employers, workers and contractors regarding electrical safety issues when installing thermal insulation.

Insulation Installers

Insulation installers are warned of the dangers associated with installing conductive foil type insulation near electrical equipment including cables, light fittings and ceiling fans etc. Installed incorrectly this could cause the insulation to become energised, posing an electrical risk, not only to the installer, but also to others.

While such events may not always result in death, they can still have a serious impact on your health, including burns, damage to the nervous system, brain, sensory/motor organs, heart and lungs.

A shock can also throw you off balance resulting in fall injuries. The prospect of such injuries occurring in a roof space can make rescue difficult resulting in a delay in treatment.

Installers should be aware that all thermal insulation must be installed in compliance with Australian insulation installation standard AS 3999-2015 Bulk thermal insulation—Installation.

NOTE:

• The Wiring Rules sets out the minimum clearance distances between bulk insulation and recessed luminaires, including down lights.

Hazard Identification

An employer must carry out the primary duty of care by proceeding, in a systematic way, to:

• identify hazards, and
• identify, and assess the seriousness of, risks resulting from the hazards, and
• determine appropriate risk management measures:
  • to eliminate, as far as reasonably practicable, avoidable risks, and
  • to minimise, as far as reasonably practicable, unavoidable risks, and
  • carry the risk management measures into effect, and
  • monitor and review the effectiveness of the measures.

The risk management measures must include measures to avoid damaging electrical equipment/cables when installing conductive material like aluminium insulation products, and avoid overheating electrical fittings by smothering them with thermal insulation. Anyone entering a roof space should conduct a risk assessment to determine possible hazards prior to starting work.

Additional information

Legislation

Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011

NT WorkSafe information bulletin Understanding Primary Duty of Care provides a guide to the duties of care for employers and workers to themselves and others.

Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011

Regulations 147 - Risk management states that a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must manage risks to health and safety associated with electrical risks at the workplace.

Electricity Reform Act 2000

• Section 67 Electrical installations to comply with technical requirements, and
• Section 68 Responsibility of owner or operator of installation.

Electricity Reform (Safety and Technical) Regulations 2000

• Regulation 3 Installations to comply with Australian Standard, and
• Regulation 4 Certain electrical installation work.

Standards

AS 3999-2015 Thermal insulation of dwellings - bulk installations - installation requirements

Installers should be aware that all bulk installation must be installed in compliance with Australian insulation installation standard AS 3999-2015.

AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules

Clause 4.5.2.3 Recessed luminaires, and Figure 4.7 Default minimum clearances for recessed luminaires are especially relevant to this type of work .

(Reproduced for educational purposes only)

4.5.2.3.1 General requirements

1. Recessed luminaires and their auxiliary equipment shall be installed in a manner designed to prevent—
   1. excessive temperature rise of the luminaire and auxiliary equipment; and
   2. the risk of fire from ignition of combustible materials.
2. The requirement in (a) shall be satisfied by one of the following methods:
   1. The installation of a luminaire designed and certified by the manufacturer as being suitable for operation—
      1. in contact with combustible materials; or
      2. in contact with, or enclosed/covered by, thermal insulation material.
   2. The installation of a luminaire in combination with a barrier tested and classified in accordance with AS/NZS 5110 as being suitable for the installation conditions.
   3. The installation of a luminaire with separation from thermal insulating materials, combustible building elements and loose combustible materials not less than—
      1. the minimum clearance specified by the manufacturer of the luminaire, which may require a barrier or guard constructed of fire-resistant materials; or
      2. the default clearances as specified in Figure 4.9, which may require a barrier or guard constructed of fire-resistant materials.