Take care with underfloor foil insulation

Media Release

1 February 2017

Home-owners urged to take care this weekend with underfloor foil insulation.

The Insulation Association of New Zealand (IAONZ) has long been concerned about the dangers posed by foil insulation products. With the Waitangi long weekend and holiday DIY period coming up, homeowners need to take extreme caution around repair or removal of this product. IAONZ President Stu Henwood states “A simple repair, such as re-stapling a piece of torn foil back into place, could earn a fine of up to $200,000 under new rules enacted in July 2016.”

The new rules banned the installation and repair of foil insulation in residential buildings with an existing electrical installation. The reason for this is due to safety concerns with the method of attaching the foil. Stapling and nailing the insulation to floor joists in often dark and cramped conditions can lead to electrical cables being accidentally pierced, conducting electricity and can become live. There have been a number of deaths and injuries in New Zealand due to this during the past decade.

The ban covers anybody who is installing or repairing foil insulation - including home handymen - and will to apply to all uses of foil even when it is not used as insulation (eg as a vapour barrier).

There are exceptions to the ban and they include properties (new houses or extensions) where the electrical wiring has not yet been installed, however foil installed in these circumstances will be unable to be repaired in the future. Foil that is bonded to rigid building materials such as plasterboard or polystyrene is not banned either as it tends to be installed in such a way that it is unlikely that any live electrical cables could be accidentally pierced.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) suggests that homeowners engage the services of a licensed electrical worker if they have any concerns about previously installed foil in their building. WorkSafe NZ has also released information which will help protect people and property from harm due to incorrectly installed insulation.

It is considered an offence under Section 27 of the Building act to breach this ban and is punishable by a fine of up to $200,000.

Stu states “IAONZ has long been concerned with the safety aspect of foil insulation products. With home-owners likely to be doing work on their homes we urge caution so no-one ends up hurt or seriously injured this weekend”.

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