STA.001.035.0041
Foil insulation electrical inspection and testing
procedures
House Address: _________________________________________________________________
Customer Details
Name: ____________________________________
Contact: ___________________________
Insulation Details
Installation Date: ____________________
Insulation Contract Number :_____________________
Electrical Inspection Details
Electrical Contractor: ____________________________________
License No: _____________
Electrician performing work: _________________________________
License No: ______________
Completion Date: _______________________________
Duration: _____________________________
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH!
Electrical tests outlined in this procedure are intended to ascertain that the foil insulation is not
in contact with live parts of the electrical installation. Electrical testing inherently involves a
degree of hazard and this procedure involves a number of steps to be undertaken in the listed
sequence in order to minimise the risk of electric shock to any person (electrician or
householder) present on the premises. Variations to the procedure are permitted provided that
an assessment, taking into account specific site conditions, confirms an equivalent safety
outcome. Reference should be made to AS/NZS3017 Electrical installations – Verification
Guidelines, for further guidance on inspection and test practices.
INSPECTION AND TESTING
PROCEDURES
DOCUMENTATION AND SAFETY ALERTS
STEP 1: Preparation/Assessment.
To alert of any electrical problems that may have arisen
following the foil installation
CONSULT the householder to confirm:
Comments/Concerns
Check when
complete
 approximate age of house and the electrical
installation;
 that foil insulation has been installed in the roof;
 if foil installer mentioned any electrical problems
 if any electrical faults (eg lights flickering, tingles
from taps) have been observed since the roof was
insulated
 acceptance that supply will be disconnected
during Inspection/Test
Conduct VISUAL CHECK:
 all isolators, circuit-breakers and fuses are ON
 if RCDs are installed at switchboard
 general condition of switchboard equipment
 location of aerial service connection to house (if
applicable)
 Check/count exhaust fans/heat lamp fans
combinations
Walk through the house and turn lights, fans and
other equipment in the roof space ON
Comment: ____________________
Comment: ____________________
Comment: ____________________
Count: ____________________
Ensures that the circuits within the roof
space are not interrupted by single or
multi-way switches
STEP 2: Risk Management
To ensure that hazards specific to the installation are
controlled
Conduct RISK ASSESSMENT including factors:
Comments/Concerns
Check when
complete
STA.001.035.0042
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electric shock hazard from potentially live foil
type/condition of wiring
excessive heat in roof space
poor visibility in darkened space
fall through ceiling
Complete contractor’s safe work
documents or attached assessment form to
confirm risk control measure and to ensure
that the work is performed to a safe
system.
It is expected that 2 electrical workers
would be involved in the conduct of this
test for live parts.
ALERT: If risk considered unacceptable to
proceed –complete Safety Incident Report
identifying concern.
Prepare and use Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) that would assist in avoiding contact with a
‘live’ surface including:
 insulated gloves, safety glasses and hard hat
 insulated mat and covers;
 cotton long sleeve shirt and long pants
 fibreglass ladder
Additional PPE will be necessary where
the roof space temperature is high eg
cooling vests or collars
STEP 3: Voltage Test Procedure
This procedure is based on check that foil insulation
may be ‘live’ and is based on 2 people.
Before entering roof space conduct VOLTAGE
TEST:
Comments/Concerns
 install temporary independent earth, eg electrode
driven into ground;
 connect a trailing lead from independent earth to
terminal on voltage tester;
 check that voltage tester works correctly by
connecting other lead to socket-outlet or
switchboard equipment;
 without entering the roof space, and using
insulating gloves, mat and covers to reduce
risk of contact, connect other test lead from
voltage tester to foil in the vicinity of the roof
access point.
 Repeat the test for each switching configuration
for circuits with multiple switches to ensure each
‘strap’ conductor is tested for contact with foil
Independent earth and voltmeter is
preferred as it does not depend on the foil
being separated from earthed equipment.
ALERT: If voltage detected, you must use
alternative procedures outlined in Safety Incident
Report to:
 make safe;
 identify cause;
 repair or disconnect;
 record and notify incident and action taken.
Be aware that the cause may involve
damage to the consumers mains and
isolation will involve disconnection at
service connection point.
If no voltage detected, isolate all circuits by –
 turning the Main Switch OFF or removing service
fuse(s) at external connection point;(if permitted
by energy distributor) and
 turning OFF supplies from any alternate sources.
Disconnection at service connection point
will allow the subsequent IR test to include
consumers main active
Isolation Method used: _____________
STEP 4 Insulation Resistance Test
Procedures
This procedure follows the test that shows that foil
insulation is not ‘live’.
Conduct INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST :
 disconnect MEN link at switchboard;
 connect a trailing lead from one IR Tester
terminal to the active conductor(s) at the load
side terminals of the main switch or other isolated
point;
 before entering the roof space, repeat the
VOLTAGE TEST on the foil as a precautionary
measure
Checks that the active or neutral
conductors are not in contact with the foil
insulation by methods such as:
- an alligator clip on the IR test lead
connected to a continuous foil layer
near the access point
- a probe such as an insulated conduit
with conductive end piece to enable
contact with separate sections of foil
Check when
complete
For accurate measurements of ‘touch
voltage’ refer to AS/NZS3017
Voltage measurements:
____________________
____________________
____________________
STA.001.035.0043
 enter roof space to the extent necessary to
perform test;
 connect a probe from the other IR Tester terminal
to each sheet of the foil;
 measure insulation resistance between active
conductors and each sheet of foil and record;
 change trailing lead connection from active
conductors to neutral conductors at neutral link;
 measure insulation resistance between neutral
conductors and each sheet of foil and record.
ALERT: If IR measurements are low (acceptable
values are >1.0 MΩ), you must use alternative
procedures outlined in Safety Incident Report to:
 make safe;
 identify cause;
 repair or disconnect;
 record and notify incident and action taken.
IR measurements:
Active /Foil___________________
IR measurements:
Neutral/Foil__________________
NOTE: Low IR measurement between
neutral and foil may indicate that foil is
earthed. Disconnect the consumers main
neutral and repeat IR test between circuit
neutrals and foil and mains neutral and foil
Low IR may mean foil fixings have
penetrated cable and a safe procedure will
need to be conducted to identify and
record cause.
If IR measurements are acceptable, restore supply
to installation –
 remove IR tester trailing lead;
 reconnect MEN link and main neutral ;
 turn main switch ON;
 check that supply restored to customers
equipment;
 repeat the VOLTAGE TEST on the foil before
disconnecting independent earth.
STEP 5: Visual inspection procedures
Observations on foil insulation:
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fixed by metal staples or fasteners
measures taken to avoid contact with electrical
wiring and equipment
appears to be acceptable standard or not
halogen or incandescent downlights covered by
foil or clear
Check exhaust fans/combinations have clear
airflow
other concerns
Record results of inspection/test and observations
Comments/Concerns
Check when
complete
Metal fixings (YES/NO): _________
Comment (YES/NO): ___________
Comment (YES/NO): ___________
Comment (YES/NO): ___________
Comment (YES/NO): ___________
Include photographs with Safety Incident
Report to identify specific concerns
Observations of electrical installation
 general condition;
 any immediately dangerous aspects encountered
that should require installation to be
disconnected/rectified
If installation appears dangerous to use
complete Safety Incident Report identifying
concern, and rectify, disconnect or
otherwise make safe.
Comment:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Attach notification of inspection/test in switchboard
Attach notification of inspection/test in
switchboard
CERTIFICATION
I certify that an electrical inspection and testing procedure, restricted to an assessment of the potential
adverse affects of reflective foil insulation on the electrical installation, has been carried out on these
premises in accordance with the nominated procedures.
STA.001.035.0044
Electrician performing test: __________________________ License number _______________
Signature: _____________________________Date:___________________