Affiliated Insulation Industry Coalition

Ensuring quality control and safety in insulation installation for Australian buildings.

About the AIIC
The Insulation Roadmap

WELCOME TO the aiic

Who we are

The Affiliated Insulation Industry Coalition (AIIC) is a collective of insulation trade associations, each representing different product types and installation services, that is currently working in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) to develop a pathway for the insulation industry to retrofit Australian buildings with a higher level of energy efficiency and indoor comfort.

Our Member Organisations

Collectively the Australian Modern Building Alliance (AMBA), Insulation Australasia (IA), and the Insulation Council of Australia & New Zealand (ICANZ) represent Australian insulation manufacturers, Australia accredited insulation installer organisations and polymers-based insulation supply chain manufacturers.

Our members agree that improving quality control and safety in insulation installation is an essential prerequisite for large scale retrofits of homes and commercial buildings as well as new builds, and will facilitate government and consumer support for efforts that unlock the environmental, economic and health benefits such retrofits will deliver.

What We Do

Together the AIIC and EEC is implementing a framework for the accreditation of contractors to ensure safe and effective installation, and also the accreditation of insulation products compliant with Australian Standards in accordance with the recommendations of the industry-led Insulation Roadmap.

The AIIC recognizes that improving the quality control and safety of insulation installation is an essential prerequisite for large scale retrofits of homes and commercial buildings (as well as for new build construction), and will facilitate government and homeowner support to unlock the environmental, economic and health benefits that such retrofits will provide.

Implementing the industry-led Insulation Roadmap is critical to supporting Australia to meet a target of net zero emissions by 2050, and in doing so providing confidence for investment of between $10 billion and $30 billion leading up to 2035 for the retrofit of existing buildings.

Improving the health and efficiency of buildings with insulation

The AIIC has developed a suite of recommendations for governments to help to raise and protect the living standards of Australians by making homes healthier and cheaper to run, while accelerating the transition to net zero, and enhancing their climate safety. Our recommendations reflect our priorities, and provide a solid foundation for increasing the safe installation of quality insulation product in Australian homes and businesses. Read our recommendations here.

Reports

AIIC-EEC Partnership Activity

AIIC Activity

The Benefits of Insulation.

Insulation is used in buildings to reduce the movement of heat and sound. A wide range of products are used to insulate buildings, including: batts; panels; loose-fill; sprays; structural insulated panels; and building membranes. When new and existing buildings have adequately specified and installed insulation, the benefits to the Australian community include:

Better Health, Comfort and Wellbeing

Hot and cold weather kills around 3,000 Australians each year. Upgrading our homes can reduce the number of deaths from heatwaves by as much as 90 per cent and improve Australians’ health. In New Zealand, a major program to install insulation in the homes of vulnerable people has delivered an estimated $7 in benefits for each dollar spent, largely due to improved health outcomes.

Lower Bills and a More Resilient Grid

Ensuring that buildings have adequate insulation can reduce the energy bills of households and businesses by hundreds of dollars each year, adding up to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a building. Insulating buildings also reduces peak demand for electricity, strengthening the grid.

Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Insulating buildings will play a critical role in reducing emissions. Insulating new and existing buildings could reduce Australia’s annual emissions by 7.1 million tonnes of CO2e.

Job Creation and Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund and International Energy Agency note that upgrading buildings’ energy efficiency can create up to 15 jobs per US$1 million of expenditure.

Insulation Resources

Insulation is a material that slows or prevents the flow of heat and helps to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer. The type of insulation best suited to a property can vary based on construction and climate zone.

Correct installation of insulation is essential to minimise risk of condensation or fire, and to maximise the benefits of the product.

Here are some resources are useful for those interested in learning more about insulation and how it works.

Guidance materials

Resource/Topic

Description
Your Home Issued by the Federal government, this resource contains information about passive home design, including information on insulation including understanding insulation, achieving good outcomes with insulation, and additional resources and reading.
Insulation and ventilation Issued by the government of South Australia, this resource explores the value of insulation and ventilation.
Home insulation materials Issued by the government of Victoria, this resource details types of insulation products.

Information for the insulation industry

Correct installation of insulation of compliant product is essential to minimise risk of condensation or fire, and to maximise the benefits of the product.

The following resources are of value to the insulation industry:

Resource/Topic

Description
Insulation Installation Certification Get certified to demonstrate best-in-class installation practices and participate in government programs that require certification.
Guidance on government program compliance: insulation installation AIIC compliance guidance to ensure the best outcomes for households and reduce risk for governments. 
Insulation Handbook – Part 2: Professional Installation Guide – Version 7
 Issued by the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ), this resource relates to the safe installation of insulation for ceilings, walls and floors.
Guide to assessing ceiling insulation R-values in existing homes
 Developed by ICANZ and endorsed by the AIIC, these guidelines aim to help householders, landlords, and energy efficiency professionals assess the performance level of insulation in the ceilings of existing homes.
Standards that apply to insulation Issued by ICANZ, this list details standards relevant to the insulation of buildings.
Australian Standards • Search for an Australian Standard here • Purchase an Australian Standard here Issued by ICANZ, training tool can be used as a series of toolbox talks; or as a complete instruction and induction tool. There are 3 short parts in the series: • On arrival + electrical isolation • Preparing to install • Installing insulation
Insulation training videos for installers Issued by ICANZ, training tool can be used as a series of toolbox talks; or as a complete instruction and induction tool. There are 3 short parts in the series:
•  On arrival + electrical isolation
• Preparing to install
•  Installing insulation
Safe installation of insulation materials Issued by the government of Tasmania, this resource provides advisory information for builders, owner builders, insulation contractors and home owners as well as new building work on any class or type of building and renovations or improvements of existing buildings.
Insulation installation and air tightness Issued by the government of Victoria, this resource contains information for trades and supervisors on how to correctly install insulation and seal a building, with a focus on identifying and treating common problem areas in residential construction.
 

Condensation control in energy efficient Australian residential buildings

 Issued by the Australian Modern Building Alliance (AMBA), this fact sheet examines the permeance control strategy and alternative temperature control strategy for Australian residential buildings, and their impacts on energy efficiency, durability and occupant health.
Sustainability of buildings incorporating polyurethane (PUR) insulation Issued by AMBA, this fact sheet explores the role of polyurethane insulation products in Australia’s low-energy sustainable buildings and their implications for building design.
Comparison of polyurethane insulation with other insulants Issued by AMBA, this fact sheet compares polyurethane insulation with other common polymer-based and traditional fibrous insulants, and details their fire safety merits as part of a safe, sustainable built environment.
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) Issued by AMBA, this fact sheet examines spray polyurethane foam (SPF) and its credentials as an ideal insulation for both low-energy houses and commercial mass wall systems.
Electrical safety regulators  Electrical safety is essential to safe insulation install, and electrical safety requirements around install may differ by jurisdiction as well as whether or not the install is occurring in connection to a state/territory program or scheme. See below for electrical regulator information:

ACT: Planning ACT NSW: Fair Trading NSW NT: WorkSafe NT QLD: Electrical Safety Office SA: Office of the Technical Regulator TAS: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services VIC: Energy Safe Victoria WA: WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Known programs and schemes applicable to insulation ACT: Minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes and Sustainable Household Scheme

TAS: Energy Saver Loan Scheme
Insulation bodies
Information for trades and others working around insulation
Net Zero Energy Builder
  • A learning hub for energy efficient construction established by the South Australian Government. Includes learning modules that provide the principles of building energy efficiency that can deliver high thermal performance.

Why we need a roadmap for safety and quality control

Installing insulation has lower risks when compared to many other construction activities.

However, like any activity in the construction industry, appropriate measures must be taken to manage risks that include: working in a restricted space; working at heights; contact with hazardous materials; and electrical safety.

Australian industry and governments have already undertaken a range of actions to address safety and quality-control issues associated with insulation installation. These actions include training modules, building codes and workplace health and safety regulations. Despite these efforts, there are still gaps in Australia’s systems for ensuring quality control and safety in insulation installation.

Industry-led roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation.

Download A Copy of the Roadmap

The AIIC have come together to support a roadmap to improve quality control and safety in insulation installation.

This roadmap sets out 24 actions that should be
undertaken over the next three years.

The signatories of this document are committed to implementing or supporting these actions, and recommend that governments and other non-signatories follow suit.