health & safety tips  Whether installing the insulation yourself or having a professional do it, ensure the instructions concerning installation, safety and care of the product are carefully followed. Health issues Fire safety Electrical safety 1. health issues   The insulation industry has a history of claims and counter-claims about the health and safety risks of varying products. At Insulco we are proud to say that our products have been thoroughly researched and found to be safe. There are no long term health concerns from using Insulco glasswool or polyester insulation. Insulco glasswool and polyester insulation products have been classified according to the criteria of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) as non-hazardous. Glasswool can cause short term irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat, so we recommend that a dust mask, goggles, gloves and a long sleeved shirt be worn to prevent any discomfort when handling these materials. Our glasswool and polyester products are also classified as Low Allergen as they emit no measurable volatile organic compounds, which are known to trigger allergies. They are not a primary cause of asthma or bronchitis and the fibres are bonded within the product to minimise risk of fibre migration around the ceiling space or into the home. Insulco have been manufacturing to the latest bio-soluble glasswool formulation since 1st January 2000. Bio-soluble means that the body will rapidly clear any dust created during installation. We do, however, recommend that you take precautions to avoid the breathing in of any dust – especially in older homes that can contain dangerous lead-based dusts. Extensive testing has also been completed by the International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC). They have classified our glasswool as “Category 3 – not classifiable as carcinogenic to humans”. Insulco Polyester products have no known physical or health hazards associated with them, and are non-allergenic. Polyester batts do not contain any chemical additives so they’re very soft to the touch and will not cause any irritation to the person installing the product – this is why it’s referred to as the softer alternative. Top   2. fire safety  All insulation products should be assessed for fire safety, especially in homes with old electrical wiring or in bushfire prone areas. Our range of bulk insulation products has been widely tested according to Australian Standard AS1530. Under this test, glasswool products do not burn, in fact they can be classified as non-combustible and will retard the spread of fire in a home. When tested to AS1530.3, our glasswool product achieves the best possible result: Spread of fire:              0 Smoke Development:    0 Ignitability:                   0 Insulco Polyester insulation achieves an AS1530.3 result of 0, 0, 0, 1 and will tend to melt and self extinguish when exposed to fire. The Insulco range of foil products has been tested to the Australian Standard AS1530.2 and has been classified as a fire retardant with a low flammability index. Top   3. electrical safety  When installing your own insulation, you must be extremely careful with the electrical wiring. If you have any concerns, it’s best to check with an electrical contractor before commencing work. Wiring should be kept clear of insulation in general, however, it is extremely important that foils are prevented from touching any electrical fittings and contacts as they will conduct electricity. Some wiring and appliances, if covered by bulk insulation, may overheat. Again if you have any doubts, speak with an electrical contractor. Where possible, place wiring above the insulation, or use a spacer to create an air gap. Refer to installation instructions on the pack. Insulco recommends all old wiring be upgraded to comply with AS3000 – 1986, before insulation is installed. It is also important to allow clearance around appliances and fittings. You should not install insulation within 90mm of hot flues or exhaust fans, or within 25mm of recessed light fittings. Top