In most older houses ceiling cavities contain high levels of lead mixed in with a build-up of dust. This dust also contains other harmful contaminants. Ceiling dust in houses and buildings constructed before 1970 is general contaminated with a variety of minerals, which are dangerous to health. Lead is of most concern to the health of families and is found in high levels in ceiling dust where dwellings are located near busy roads, industrial areas and dense city areas.

Lead is dangerous:

It can impair brain function in children affecting learning and memory and is also toxic for adults. This contaminated dust should be removed from the home preferably by trained professionals and particularly before any building or insulation work is attempted.

The service Safe and Sound Insulation includes:

• 1) Approved HEPA Filter removal by trailer mounted vacuums
• 2) Entry & exit through roof leaving the house uncontaminated
• 3) Removal of old insulation & other debris if required
• 4) Supply &/or installation of quality new insulation if required

For your peace of mind Safe and Sound Insulation can provide skilled labour and industrial vacuum’s fitted with HEPA filters to collect and contain the contaminated dust. The ceiling is sealed with PVA to trap any dust particles, which are physically unable to be removed during the vacuum process.

Safe and sound Insulation follows the A.D.R.A code of practice for ceiling dust removal that outlines the correct removal process as follows:

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR CEILING DUST REMOVAL

REASONS FOR TOTAL DUST REMOVAL: -

• 1) Demolition of ceiling or cavity walls;
• 2) Installation of an attic ladder;
• 3) Addition of a second storey extension;
• 4) Installation of insulation, new electrical wiring, ceiling ventilation, fan etc;
• 5) Dust leakage through wall vents and ceiling vents;
• 6) Dust leakage through tongue and groove timber ceilings.

REASONS FOR PARTIAL DUST REMOVAL: -

• 1) Installation of a skylight, light fitting, etc;
• 2) Dust leakage through cornices, picture rails, skirting boards, architraves, window and door frames, fire places and the like;
• 3) Future storms or other trauma which could damage the ceiling.

The removal of the dust is a hazardous procedure for the workers and the occupants and so strict procedures and guidelines should be followed.

PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL OF DUST

Ceiling dust removal should be completed before any other building work involving penetrations into ceilings or walls are carried out.

The removal should only be carried out by experienced Contractors who can show proof of their competency, e.g. have a Certificate from a training course accredited by ADRA (Australian Dust Removalists Association Incorporated).

Before commencing removal from ceilings or walls, all vents, cracks or fissures should be sealed to ensure contaminated dust is not spread to other parts of the building.

GUIDELINES FOR CONTRACTORS

The contractor shall adhere to the following general guidelines for ceiling space decontamination: -

1. All contractors are required to exercise relevant OHS procedures to comply with the relevant NSW Work Cover Authority legislation.
2. All occupants should be advised to vacate the premises during the ceiling dust removal. Children in particular should be absent during the work.
3. At the time of quoting, the contractor could furnish to the homeowner, a fact sheet on ceiling dust by THE LEAD GROUP.
4. All employees directly involved in the removal should wear, at all times, personal protective equipment conforming to AS1716 (Respiratory Protective Devices) and be sufficiently trained in their use. They include masks, hooded overalls and gloves.
5. All employees directly involved in the removal should undergo personal biological monitoring for exposure to contaminants in ceiling dust and records should be kept.
6. All dust should be removed by HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners. The cleaning unit and the dust collection system would preferably remain external of the building.
7. Dust should not be swept or shovelled into bags.
8. Removal of the dust should start from the roof entry point and work should be continued from there towards the edge of the ceiling so as to minimise the disturbance of the dust.
9. All collected dust should be contained in sealed drums or 200um (micrometre) plastic bags and transported under EPA guidelines and disposed of at an EPA licensed waste facility.
10. All employees involved in dust removal should adopt good hygiene practices and ensure hands and faces are thoroughly washed often and prior to smoking or eating.
11. Smoking should not be allowed within the confines of the premises.
12. All employees entering the ceiling space within one (1) hour of dust removal should wear approved respiratory protection conforming to AS1716.
13. Personal decontamination procedures are to be followed including disposal of used overalls with the dust and washing hands and face with clean water outside the building before leaving the site, with all waste water directed to the sewer.
14. All Contractors should have Certificate of Currencies for a minimum public liability cover of $5,000,000 and relevant workers compensation insurance.

QUALITY CONTROL ASSURANCES: -

That the ceiling dust removal Contractor: -

1. Be credited by ADRA and follow the Code of Practice for Ceiling Dust Removal.
2. Ensure workers are covered by Work Cover requirements.
3. Dispose of contaminated dust in handling procedures, transport and disposal in accordance with EPA Guidelines on Classification and Management of Waste.
4. Use of best practice including prior site inspection, adequate supervision of workers and full disclosure of issues to the client.

Understanding the difficulties of achieving the high levels of insulation performance in underfloor applications, AIR-CELL^® Insulation has developed a proven, cost-effective and simple to install solution.

AIR-CELL^® is a low volume, high performance insulation medium that combines the technology of reflective air spaces with the conductional resistance of an encapsulated air cell structure.

AIR-CELL^® is ultra-thin, yet it is designed to replace fibre-based batts, blanket and sarking all in one application with its advanced thermo cellular reflective structure.  And because it is fibre-free, there are no associated occupational health and safety risks to the installer or building occupier.

It’s the ideal solution to underfloor insulation stopping cold air drafts and re-radiating the heat that would otherwise be lost, back into the building while providing a resistance to conductional heat loss as well. 

“We have been providing the same solution in New Zealand for a number of years now, where AIR-CELL^® is installed as a vapour barrier and insulation medium in the one application without mesh.” AIR-CELL Managing Director, Scott Gibson said.

Installed under a timber or metal-framed floor, AIR-CELL^® produces better thermal resistance than a 100mm concrete slab.

AIR-CELL was one of the first insulation manufacturers to achieve CodeMark independent certification, considered the building industry’s highest level of product conformance, to insulation standard AS/NZS 4859.1:2002.

Permifloor offers two products in one as it acts as an insulation and water-permeable moisture management system. It is manufactured with a patented closed-cell, cross-linked foam structure sandwiched by highly reflective foil surfaces and perforated with tiny, evenly-spaced holes. The perforations allow water and vapour to permeate through preventing moisture that can often collect under flooring when using conventional underfloor insulation systems.

Permifloors advanced thermal performance helps achieve a 5 star home energy rating; it is fibre-free, non-allergenic, non-itchy, tough, strong, is compliant with the Australian Standard and has no health and safety risk.

Permifloor enjoys the high thermal rating of R3.0 heat flow out in enclosed sub floor areas. Air-Cell is a proud Greensmart Partner, is Codemark Certified and in conjunction with Safe and Sound Insulation we will continue to provide our clients with Permifloor to cut energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint.