Electrical Safety Inspections - Homes Insulated With Reflective Foil

Effective 10 May 2010:
The government has announced new procedures for safety inspection of homes insulated with foil insulation under the home insulation rebate:
* Homeowners will no longer be allowed to secure their own electrician to perform safety inspections .. instead
* Household with urgent safety concerns will need to contact the government's insulation safety hotline on 13 17 92 to list your home for an inspection
* All Inspections will be coordinated through UGL services, who will contract an electrical contractor to perform the work.

With about 50,000 homes to be inspected the government estimates the wait could be as long as 8 months to have your home inspected. 

On advice from the  Electrical Industry the government is now offering homes with foil insulation that fail safety test the option of either an
  * Electrical Safety Switch or
  * Removal of the foil insulation.
The electrical safety inspector will discuss your options when performing the Electrical Safety Inspections.

Electricity Safety Inspection

All homes that had reflective foil insulation installed under the Australian Government's Home Insulation Program are eligible to have a free electrical safety inspection.

Whilst the Government states this mainly as a precautionary measure the government also strongly recommends householders take advantage of this free electrical safety inspection as soon as possible, as there are a number of risk including;
   a) Risk to your home and family if your roof is live
   b) Risk to your home becoming live if a rodent or time exposes wire to the foil insulation
   c) Risk to tradesman entering the roof area & stepping on a staple that creates the home to become live
   d) Risk to homeowner of litigation should anyone become injured and you have failed to take advantage of government offer to ensure your home is safe.
Despite the risks this is also a great opportunity to have your home comprehensively checked for a range electrical safety issues at the cost of the government.

What Will Safety Inspection Cost

The government will pay cost for the inspection which is expected to be up to $400 in value. The government will also pay to fix any electrical safety problems relating to the installation of foil insulation.
Payment for inspections and repair of faults caused by foil insulation (if required) will be paid directly to the electrical contractor.

Who Is Eligible for Electrical Safety Inspection

If you have foil insulation installed under the home insulation rebate you are eligible for an electrical safety inspection. You should receive a letter from the government informing you of your eligibility. It is important to keep this letter as the reference number will be required by the Electrical Contractor that carries out your inspection. If you have not received this letter or have lost it you can contact the department on 131 792.

How to Organise Your Electrical Safety Inspection

Step 1) Select a licensed electrical contractor that services your area. For Electrical Contractors in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast
Step 2) Book an appointment time for electrical contractor to visit your home and carry out the inspection
Step 3) Provide the electrical contractor the reference number supplied to you by the government
Step 4) The electrical contractor will then inspect your property and complete the government's electrical safety report.
Step 5) The electrical contractor should then discuss the results of their inspection with you

The inspection will have one of three outcomes.
i)   The installation of foil has not caused an electrical fault - your home is safe and the government will pay the electrical contractor for the inspection
ii)  The installation of foil has caused an electrical fault - Electrical Contractor will fix the fault and government will pay electrical contractor to repair the fault
iii) The installation of foil has not caused a fault but a pre-existing fault has been detected - discuss the risks and cost to fix the fault with the electrical contractor
In all the above cases the government will pay the electrical contractor directly for the electrical safety inspection.

Step 6) Electrical Contractor will complete the electrical safety inspection report. The householder will need to sign the form to confirm the inspection has been completed and the electrical contractor will provide you with a  copy of the electrical safety inspection form.

Selecting An Electrical Contractor

• Electrical Contractors In Brisbane
• Electrical Contractors In Ipswich
• Electrical Contractors In Gold Coast
• Electrical Contractors In Sunshine Coast