Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
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Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
Steering committee
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the group of committed experts
that contributed to the development of this roadmap. We
Insulation companies
also thank the NSW Government, Victorian Government,
Insulation Australasia and Insulation Council of Australia and
New Zealand for funding Ensuring quality control and safety
in insulation installation, which informed the development of
this roadmap.
Industry associations and other organisations
2 3
Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
Introduction
Insulation is an essential component of a healthy, install insulation in the homes of vulnerable • Leaving space around heat-generating equipment The measures in the roadmap
comfortable building. Adequate insulation can people has delivered an estimated $7 in benefits (e.g. heating, fans and downlights); and
Multiple measures are essential to ensure safety
increase thermal comfort, lower heating and cooling for each dollar spent, largely due to improved
• Moisture management, such as ensuring that and quality control in insulation installation. The 24
bills, and reduce the prevalence of illness and health outcomes.iv
ceiling insulation batts don’t touch the underside measures in this roadmap are complementary, rather
death. Insulation reduces pollution, greenhouse gas
• Lower energy bills and a more resilient of the roof or sarking. than alternatives. For example, world-class training
emission and reliance on the electricity grid.
energy grid Australian industry and governments have already programs for insulation installation will need to be
However, insulation needs to be properly installed undertaken a range of actions to address safety supported with drivers to encourage installers to
Ensuring that buildings have adequate insulation
in order to deliver its full value, and many existing and quality-control issues associated with insulation undergo training. These recommendations are set out
can reduce the energy bills of households and
buildings lack sufficient insulation in their walls, floors installation. These actions include training modules, in five broad streams:
businesses by hundreds of dollars each year, adding
and even ceilings. This means that insulation needs to building codes and workplace health and safety
up to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of • Information and guidelines (I);
be installed in all new and existing buildings following regulations.
a building. Insulating buildings also reduces peak
appropriate quality control and safety processes. • Training and accreditation (T);
demand for electricity, strengthening the grid.
Despite these efforts, there are still gaps in Australia’s
To tackle this challenge, leading organisations in the • Requirements for insulation installations
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions systems for ensuring quality control and safety in
insulation, building and energy efficiency industries supported by governments (G);
insulation installation. In February 2020 the Energy
have come together to prepare a roadmap to improve Insulating buildings will play a critical role in Efficiency Council and the Australian Sustainable • Compliance associated with new buildings and
quality control and safety in insulation installation. reducing emissions. Insulating new and existing Built Environment Council (ASBEC) released a major renovations (C); and
This roadmap sets out 24 actions that should be buildings could reduce Australia’s annual report, Ensuring quality control and safety in insulation
undertaken over the next three years. The signatories emissions by 7.1 million tonnes of CO2e.v • Moving beyond an insulation-only approach (B).
installation, which looked at practices in Germany,
of this document are committed to implementing Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Some of these measures can be developed in parallel,
• Boosts to productivity, job creation and
or supporting these actions, and recommend that United States, and found that all these countries had but some cannot begin until other measures have
economic growth
governments and other non-signatories follow suit. invested in major training and compliance programs been completed. Accordingly, we propose that these
The International Monetary Fund and for insulation installation. measures are rolled out over three years.
These actions build on extensive work undertaken International Energy Agency note that upgrading
over the past decade, and the signatories are buildings’ energy efficiency can create up to 15 The signatories to this roadmap propose a series of Finally, the measures in this roadmap focus specifically
confident that implementing this roadmap will ensure jobs per US$1 million of expenditure.vi actions to deliver best practice in safety and quality on safety and quality control in the installation of
that insulation is installed effectively, safely and control in insulation installation. Some of these insulation. Further work should be undertaken to
affordably. actions can be undertaken by peak bodies and ensure that building design, construction and retrofit
Why we need a roadmap for safety and companies in the insulation, building and energy processes integrate all elements of the thermal
quality control efficiency industries. Some of these actions must be envelope (including insulation, glazing and minimising
The benefits of insulation
Installing insulation has lower risks when compared undertaken by governments, ideally in conjunction thermal bridging), air tightness and systems for
Insulation is used in buildings to reduce the to many other construction activities, as insulation with industry, such as strengthening the compliance heating, cooling and ventilation.
movement of heat and sound. A wide range of materials are relatively light, non-toxic and can be cut regime for building regulations. Government
products are used to insulate buildings, including: A broad range of organisations are committed to
and installed without the use of power tools. policy will play a critical role in ensuring safety and
batts; panels; loose-fill; sprays; structural insulated working with governments to ensure that insulation
quality control, as it has in every country examined
panels; and building membranes. However, like any activity in the construction industry, installation prioritises safety and quality. We look
in Ensuring quality control and safety in insulation
appropriate measures must be taken to manage risks forward to working with governments and a broad
installation.
When new and existing buildings have adequately that include: working in a restricted space; working range of stakeholders to deliver better buildings.
specified and installed insulation, the benefits to the at heights; contact with hazardous materials; and
Australian community include: electrical safety.
• Better health, comfort and wellbeing Insulation products must also be correctly specified
Hot and cold weather kills around 3,000 and installed to maximise their benefits and reduce
Australians each year.i,ii Upgrading our homes can risks for building occupants. This includes:
reduce the number of deaths from heatwaves by
• Minimising unnecessary gaps in the coverage of
as much as 90 per cent and improve Australians’
insulation Introduction;
health.iii In New Zealand, a major program to
4 5
Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
Information and guidelines I
No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline
Action
I1 Develop Insulation Governments Governments and industry should Insulation
insulation Australasia and insulation collaborate to develop a national set of orgs release
installation (IA), installers simple model guidelines and documents drafts in
guidelines Insulation to support insulation installation in both Sept 2021
Council of private and public properties, including
Australia specific guidelines for retrofits. Govt
and New approved
Zealand These guidelines should draw on existing version by
(ICANZ), documents, including AS 3999 Installation 30 Jun 2022
and other of Bulk Thermal Insulation and the
insulation supporting documentation from the New
orgs Zealand Warmer Kiwi Homes program.
Ideally, the documents would include
simple checklists to enable insulation
installers, clients and governments to
assess if the proper steps have been
taken during insulation installation.
I2 Develop an IA, ICANZ Governments, Industry, with the support of By 30 Jun
online portal and other insulation governments, should develop and 2022
that lists insulation installers maintain an online list of insulation
insulation orgs and other products verified to meet the
products that insulation requirements of the current version of
have been organisations the National Construction Code, which
verified to include requirements set out in AS/NZS
meet AS/NSZ 4859.1 Materials for the thermal insulation
4859.1 of buildings.
The first step should be to establish a
committee including representatives from
industry, consumers and governments.
The committee would oversee the
development and maintenance of
the list, and consider issues including
how product testing will be verified
and whether the online list will include
manufacturers’ recommendations on how
products should be used.
I3 Production IA, ICANZ Installers The insulation industry should continue its Ongoing
of installation and other and other work to develop education materials, such
guidance insulation insulation as the Insulation Handbook and guidance
materials orgs organisations videos on insulation installation.
I4 Review options IA, ICANZ Governments, Currently, building owners and occupants By 31 Dec
to explain and other insulation find it difficult to determine the quality 2022
the quality insulation installers and of an insulation installation, even if it has
of insulation orgs other orgs been recently completed. An independent
installation review would examine the value of
providing information to building owners,
such as a certificate of insulation.
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Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
T Training and accreditation
No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline
Action Action
T1 Review entry- IA, ICANZ Governments, Industry and governments By 30 Jun T5 Develop training IA, ICANZ Australian Some people that conduct By 31 Dec
level insulation and other installers, should conduct a joint review 2022 for building and other Institute building inspections (e.g. building 2021
installer insulation Artibus, to ensure entry-level training inspectors insulation orgs of Building surveyors) may require additional
training and orgs training and accreditation programs for Surveyors training to correctly and rapidly
accreditation institutions insulation installers are cost- (AIBS), assess whether insulation has
and other effective, have a diversity of building been installed in accordance with
bodies providers and adequately address surveyors, relevant requirements.
quality and safety issues. Based governments
on this review, organisations
should either retain, refine,
complement or replace these T6 Industry leaders IA, ICANZ Major The insulation and construction By 31 Dec
programs. use or promote and other builders, HIA, industry should recommend 2022
accredited insulation orgs MBA etc or voluntarily commit to using
insulation trained and accredited insulation
T2 Develop IA, ICANZ Government, The insulation industry should Insulation installers and installers and certified Lead
additional and other training develop training units for specific orgs release professionals Insulation Professionals for
training units for insulation institutions types or aspects of insulation, drafts by 31 construction and retrofit work
particular types orgs and other such as pumped insulation and Dec 2021 (Recommendations T1 and T3).
of insulation industry structural insulated panels.
bodies These units could be completed Govts and
by installers once they have industry T7 Conduct a cost- Governments A cost-benefit study would By 31 Dec
completed basic insulation finalise by benefit study determine whether one or 2023
installation training. 31 Dec 2022 on requiring more staff on site should have
training for insulation installer training during
all or some the installation of insulation
T3 Develop a IA, ICANZ Governments, The individuals that oversee Scope out insulation in any new build, renovation
certification for and other training insulation installations in by 31 Dec installers or retrofit project. The need
Lead Insulation insulation institutions either retrofits or new builds 2021 for a government mandate
Professionals orgs and other require significant knowledge would depend on the level of
industry of materials, processes, safety Certification voluntary uptake of accredited
bodies and building codes. Industry available by installers and professionals
should work with governments 31 Dec 2022 (Recommendation T6).
to develop a competency-based
‘Lead Insulation Professional’
certification, potentially based
on a combination of online and
onsite assessments. Separate
certification may be required for
those who oversee insulation
in residential and commercial
construction.
T4 Develop basic IA, ICANZ Governments, A number of trades and By 31 Dec
training for and other training professions interact with 2021
trades that insulation institutions insulation before and after it is
interact with orgs and other installed, such as electricians
insulation industry and plumbers. Insulation
bodies associations and governments
should determine how each trade
can be educated on insulation
issues, such as integration of
insulation training into Continued
Professional Development where
appropriate.
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Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
G Requirements for installation Compliance in new buildings C
supported by governments and major renovations
No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline
Action Action
G1 Require the Governments All products used in retrofits that are Make an C1 Improve Building Governments A nationally-harmonised Ongoing
use of verified supported by governments should be verified explicit general ministers implementation of the
products for to meet the current version of AS/NZS 4859.1. requirement compliance and recommendations from the
government- This could later be supported by the website by 1 Jul 2021 enforcement Shergold Weir Building Confidence
supported listing verified products (Recommendation I2). systems for the Report should be led by Australia’s
insulation building and building ministers.
installations construction
industry
G2 Only use pre- Governments In New Zealand, where government programs As soon as
approved support the installation of insulation, insulation tenders are C2 Undertake Governments Associations The proposed details of insulation By 30 Jun 2022
companies for installation companies must be pre-approved released a review for energy (e.g. R-value) in a new building
government- as meeting criteria including use of best to ensure raters, are already specified for NatHERS
supported practice processes. Australian governments insulation architect assessments. However, these
insulation should adopt a similar approach. requirements and building details are not always transferred
installations are specified designers to all construction documentation.
in building This means that design intentions
documentation are not always translated into
G3 Independent Governments Where government programs support the As soon as construction. Governments
audits of installation of insulation, they should undertake programs should work with energy raters,
government- or contract independent providers to conduct commence architects and building designers
supported spot audits on a sample of installations (e.g. to determine how to ensure that
insulation five per cent). Criteria for audits would be insulation is always specified in
installations set out in insulation installation guidelines building plans.
(Recommendation I1).
C3 Each Governments Insulation There are currently significant All jurisdictions
G4 Require the Governments When governments support insulation retrofits, By 31 Dec jurisdiction industry variations in requirements for to require a
use of trained they should require installers to adopt best 2021 should require associations Certificates of Insulation between certificate by
and accredited practice training and accreditation schemes. a Certificate jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions 31 Dec 2022
insulation Where governments consider funding retrofits of Insulation require a certificate signed by the
installers for in the next 12 months, they should use current during installer or builder, others do not. All All jurisdictions
government- schemes, such as the Clean Energy Council’s construction jurisdictions should require a formal to require that
supported Accredited Insulation Installer Accreditation. that is signed Certificate of Insulation as a first step, certified Lead
insulation Government requirements should be updated off by a certified and then upgrade this requirement Insulation
installations following the review of accreditation programs insulation so certificates are signed off by a Professional
(Recommendation T1). professional certified Lead Insulation Professional must sign
to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. certs by 31
The Lead Insulation Professional Dec 2023
G5 Require Governments Governments should require installers to By 30 Jun must confirm their sighting of either
installers to follow the insulation installation guidelines 2022 the insulation or time-and-location-
follow insulation (Recommendation I1) when they support stamped photographs of the
installation insulation installation (such as building or insulation.
guidelines for retrofit of public housing or grants for private
government- home upgrades).
supported
installations
G6 Require the Governments Following the development of the certified By 30 Jun
use of certified Lead Insulation Professional system 2023
Lead Insulation (Recommendation T3), governments should
Professionals require the use of certified Lead Insulation
for government- Professionals to oversee retrofits.
supported
insulation
installations
10 11
Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation
Moving beyond the insulation B
installation industry
No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline No. Recommended Lead Partners Detail Timeline
Action Action
C4 Commence the Each Undertake regulatory impact statements By 30 Jun B1 Undertake further TBC TBC The report would explore options to By 30 Jun
regulatory process government (including a cost-benefit study) to support 2022 analysis on options foster a market for more integrated 2022
to consider and for its own the rapid introduction of a requirement for integrated buildings, build capacity for building
introduce a jurisdiction that builders provide time-and-location- building envelope retrofits at scale, and communicate
requirement for stamped photos of insulation installations construction and the importance and benefits of
the provision of to those required to carry out the final retrofit integrated building envelope
time-and location- independent inspection of a building. upgrades.
stamped photos
of insulation
to building B2 Consider issues Governments IA, ICANZ, other Governments consider issues By 31 Dec
inspectors associated with DIY insulation associated with ‘do-it-yourself’ 2023
insulation organisations, (DIY) insulation once appropriate
manufacturers, systems are in place for professional
C5 Conduct Governments Expanding on action C3, governments By 31 Dec retailers and installers.
separate or joint should conduct a joint cost-benefit study 2023 importers
cost-benefit on two options that would help assess
studies on more whether insulation has been installed
involved options correctly. This would assess the merits of
to improve requiring building inspectors to either:
independent
assessment of • Carry out remote or in-person
insulation inspections while insulation is still
visible; or
• Use thermal imaging equipment in
their final inspection.
12 13
Timeline
References By 31 Dec 2021 By 30 Jun 2022 By 31 Dec 2022 By 30 Jun 2023 By 31 Dec 2023
I1 Develop insulation G5 Require installers
i.
Gasparrini, A., Guo, Y., & Hashizume, M. (2015). Mortality risk attributable to high and low ambient temperature: installation guidelines to follow insulation
a multicountry observational study. The Lancet, 386(1), 369–375. Accessed online 15 March 2021, https://doi. installation guidelines
for government-
org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62114-0 supported installations
ii.
Department of the Environment. (2016). State of the Environment 2016. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
https://soe.environment.gov.au/download/reports G1 Require the use of I2 Develop an online
verified products portal that lists
for government- insulation products that
iii.
Alam, M., Rajeev, P., Sanjayan, J., Zou, P.X.W. & Wilson, J. (2018). Mitigation of heat stress risks through building
supported insulation have been verified to
energy efficiency upgrade: a case study of Melbourne, Australia. Australian Journal of Civil Engineering, 16(1): 64- installations meet AS/NSZ 4859.1
78. https://doi.org/10.1080/14488353.2018.1453331
G4 Require the use of T1 Review entry-level T2 Develop additional T6 Industry leaders T7 Conduct a cost-
iv.
Grimes, A., Denne, T., Howden-chapman, P., Arnold, R., Telfar-barnard, L., Preval, N., & Young, C. (2012). Cost trained and accredited insulation installer training units for to recommend benefit study on
Benefit Analysis of the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart Programme Ministry of Economic Development. June. insulation installers training and particular types of or commit to requiring training
http://www.healthyhousing.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/NZIF_CBA_report-Final-Revised-0612.pdf for government- accreditation systems insulation using accredited for all insulation
supported insulation insulation installers for new
v.
ASBEC & ClimateWorks Australia. (2018). The bottom line: The household impacts of delaying improved energy installations installers and build and retrofits
Lead Insulation
requirements in the Building Code. In Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project. https://www.asbec.asn. Professionals
au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/180208-ASBEC-CWA-The-Bottom-Line-household-impacts.pdf
vi.
International Energy Agency. (2020). Sustainable Recovery. Paris: IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/sustainable- G2 Only use pre- T3 Develop a certification G6 Require the C3 Each jurisdiction
approved companies for Lead Insulation use of certified requires a
recovery for government- Professionals Lead Insulation Certificate of
supported insulation Professionals Insulation during
installations for government- construction
supported that is approved
insulation by a certified
installations Lead Insulation
Professional
G3 Independent audits C2 Undertake a review I4
Review options to
of government- to ensure insulation communicate the
supported insulation requirements are quality of insulation
installations specified in building installation
documentation
T4 Develop basic
training for trades
that interact with
insulation
Resources T5 Develop training
building inspectors
C4 Consider and introduce
a requirement to
provide photos of
C5 Conduct cost-benefit
studies on more
involved options to
insulation to building improve independent
inspectors assessment of insulation
Shergold, P. & Weir, B. (2018). Building confidence: Improving the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement
systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. Canberra: Building Ministers' Forum. https://
B1 Undertake further B2 Consider issues
www.industry.gov.au/sites/default/files/July%202018/document/pdf/building_ministers_forum_expert_assessment_-_ analysis on options associated with
building_confidence.pdf for integrated building DIY insulation
envelope construction
Energy Efficiency Council and Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council. (2021). Ensuring quality control and retrofit
and safety in insulation installation. Melbourne: Energy Efficiency Council & ASBEC. https://www.eec.org.au/
uploads/Documents/EEC%20ASBEC%20Insulation%20Report%20-%20Feb%202021.pdf Ongoing
I3 Production of installation guidance materials
C1 Improve general compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry
14
eec.org.au/insulation-roadmap
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