Foil insulation checks useless, experts warn
Updated
Electrical contractors say the practice of laying foil insulation on top of cables and junction boxes is "diabolically bad" (ABC News: file photo)
There are new warnings that the Federal Government's massive audit of foil roof insulation installed under its failed program is essentially useless and will do nothing but shift the blame to electrical contractors.
The Government is now in damage control to ensure all foil insulation installed under its home insulation scheme is made safe after the deaths of four people and 93 house fires were linked to the now defunct program.
It has created a new department, shifted responsibility to Greg Combet, and is checking tens of thousands of homes which have had foil insulation installed.
But the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has warned that even if the insulation is given the OK today, it could still become deadly in the future - a fear echoed by electrical contractors.
On the Queensland Government website, the ESO has recommended the best way to ensure homes are safe is to remove the foil insulation altogether.
"Ceiling insulation faults, defective electrical cables eg. perished or rodent-damaged cable insulation and home maintenance activities may, over time, result in electrification of the foil insulation," says a statement by executive director Peter Lamont.
"These factors increase the risk to householders, and to tradespeople undertaking work in ceiling spaces. Some of the associated risks may include electrocution, serious electric shock and burns.
"The Electrical Safety Office considers that the safe removal of foil from the ceiling space provides the greatest level of electrical safety.
"Alternatively, householders should consider the installation of safety switches for all final sub-circuits and sub-mains located in the ceiling space by a licensed electrical contractor."
ABC News Online has spoken to several electrical contractors who share those concerns.
Brisbane electrical contractor Chris Lehmann says the practice of laying foil insulation on top of cables and junction boxes is "diabolically bad" and that all the Government's latest measure will do is shift the blame from government to contractors.
"The fix isn't going to work. It's just going to compound the errors that have been made on this issue and foil insulation will kill people for the life of the product," he said.
"Fifty, 60 years into the future while the stuff is in ceilings, unless something's put in to mitigate the risks, this will kill people.
"Even if we were able to claim $1,000 for a foil rebate from the Government - at the moment it's $400 - blokes still wouldn't do it because they don't want to put their name to something they know won't give you a guarantee of safety."
Mr Lehmann says most electrical contractors are well aware that under the current safety checking process, there is no way to guarantee foil insulation will remain safe - opening people like himself up to serious legal trouble down the track.
"We'd be the first port of call because we give a certificate of test on that job," he said.
"For this sort of inspection I don't see how - unless we put something in place to mitigate the danger that's ongoing - we can give a certificate of test saying that it's safe.
"This is such a political issue that you can bet the first time someone gets zapped after an electrician's been in to do the inspection, the first person they're going to look at is the electrician."
Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt agrees with Mr Lehmann's concerns.
"The Government needs to issue a plan to find and fix the 1,000 potentially deadly roofs," he said.
But Master Electricians Association CEO Malcolm Richards says the body does not agree with the ESO's recommendation that foil insulation be removed from roofs, or Mr Lehmann's fears that contractors will not be able to properly test for pre-existing safety issues.
He says all quality contractors should use proper 500 volt testing between the foil and cables which will pick up any problems, such as staples through foil.
Mr Richards told ABC News Online that home electrical maintenance is an ongoing issue and that people should get their homes checked regularly and have safety switches fitted to the whole house.
A spokesperson for Mr Combet says the minister is looking at all issues so he can get across them as quickly as possible.
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