The following pink batt installation guidelines for walls and ceilings apply to Pink Batts, Pink Soundbreak and Pink Partition insulation supplied in batt form. We hope that this insulation batts installation guide will help you in your current home project.
Pink Batt Insulation Installation Guidelines Part 1
Product performance:
• After unpacking, the product is designed to achieve its nominal stabilised thickness within 24 hours of installation.
• The performance of this product may be reduced if stored for too long in its compression packaging.
• The Total R-value depends on installation and may be greater or less than the Material R-value of the product.
• The Material R-value represented on the pack is determined at a mean temperature of 23°C as per AS/NZS 4859.1.
• The Material R-value is independent of heat flow direction (the same R-value is achieved in summer and winter conditions).
Pink Batt Installation Important notes:
CAUTION: when insulating around downlights or where recessed ceiling fixtures are present:
- Leave a minimum side clearance of 50mm from the body of heat emitting fixtures such as downlights, exhaust fans and flues.
- Cut a hole in the batt to suit the location of the fixture.
- Pink® insulation batts have been independently tested and passed the requirements of AS3999-Appendix B.
- Do not use small pieces of batts to form part of the barrier around a fixture as these pieces could dislodge and cover the fixture potentially overheating/faulting the device. Use only large pieces of insulation that can be secured in position, where this is not possible fix a recessed luminaire barrier in accordance with AS3999 2015.
- Auxiliary equipment shall be located with a minimum side clearance of 50mm from luminaires, refer to AS3999: 2015- Appendix A for further details. Exhaust fans typically vent vertically to the roof space. Leaving a side clearance of at least 50mm, insulate around the perimeter of the fixture and ensure a piece of insulation batt does not stop a fan blade from turning as this can overheat and burn out the device.
- Electric cables and equipment partially or completely surrounded with bulk thermal insulation may overheat and fail. This applies to wiring installed prior to 1989. Refer to AS3999-2015: Section 2.6 for details. Cabling post 1989: continuous electrical cabling (240 volts) cannot be fully surrounded by the insulation for a length greater than 300mm. In runs greater than 300mm, the electrical wiring must be touching a timber stud or the plaster lining.
Pink Batt Installation Tools required:
- A sharp knife with a plastic (non-conductive) handle and cutting board
- A kneeling board to span at least two ceiling timbers (joists)
- Lighting (if required)
- Safety gloves are recommended
- A dust mask (recommended for enclosed spaces)
- Safety goggles (recommended if working overhead)
- An industrial strength ladder
- A batt poker produced from a non-conductive material such as wood or plastic
- A staple gun with non-metallic staples
- String/twine
- Safety shoes
NOTE: Roof spaces can become very hot, particularly in warm weather. Get relief from the heat by taking breaks and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Before you commence Pink Batt Installation:
- Turn off the power at the fuse box before commencing the installation. Ensure you place a warning tag to prevent power being restored prior to completion of the install. Use only Pink® insulation, recommended according to the type and thickness of the stud.
- Check the distance between studs before installing the insulation. Measure from the centre of one stud/ceiling joist to the next.
- Calculate the area to be insulated and then calculate the number of packs required for the job.
- Before entering the ceiling space, make a sketch of the location of any electrical equipment in the ceiling such as downlights and exhaust fans
Pink Batt Insulation Installation Guidelines Part 2
Flat Ceilings:
- When loading the insulation into the attic space, place the insulation packs across the joists, so that the weight of the insulation spans across the joists and the load is not taken directly by the plasterboard. Ensure they remain unopened at this point in time.
- Commence working from one side or from the furthest point from the manhole access.
- Open one pack of batts at a time.
- Never walk on plaster ceilings. Stand on ceiling joists only.
- Place the kneeling board across at least two ceiling joists before kneeling.
- Ensure the product is dry, if the product is wet, replace it before proceeding.
- Friction fit the batts between ceiling joists.
- Butt the batts closely together to ensure there are no gaps left at joints.
- Continue until the entire ceiling area is covered extending batts 50mm onto the external wall top plate. Ensure a clearance of not less than 25mm between the batts and the roof cladding material.
- Avoid blocking natural ventilation.
- Using the batt poker, push the batts into areas that are difficult to access.
- Cut the batts to the required size to fit around vents, exhaust fans and flue pipes allowing a side clearance of at least 50mm.
- Cut the batts against a firm straight surface where no electrical or services exist.
- Offcuts may be used to fill small spaces to ensure complete coverage.
- Be careful of electrical wiring in the ceiling. Ensure you do not completely surround the cables with the insulation.
- Ensure the man hole is completely covered with a cut-to-size batt.
- Restore power and remove the caution tag when the job is complete.
Raked Ceilings:
- For raked ceilings, the batts should be installed prior to fixing the plasterboard.
- Where friction fitting is not possible (e.g. uneven joist spacing etc.), then the batts shall be supported by string or twine running at right angles to the ceiling joists so they remain in place until the plasterboard is installed.
Pink Batt Installation – Brick veneer walls:
• Friction fit the insulation into the wall frames ensuring there are no gaps between the insulation and studs or noggins.
• It is important that the insulation is secured so it cannot fall into the cavity or come in contact with the outer brickwork allowing moisture to pass from the exterior wall to the internal lining.
• Wall wrap (recommended) or long lasting string/twine should be fixed across the exterior face of the frame before installing the insulation from the inside.
• Where string/twine is used, twine should be fixed between each set of studs from the top to the bottom, running parallel with the studs. Where two lengths are used they should be evenly spaced.
• Ensure that the batts do not protrude past the stud and fit snugly including where insulation is around water pipes or other rigid obstructions in the wall.
Fibre cement or weatherboard clad walls:
- In non-tropic climates, a vapour permeable wall wrap or building membrane must be used so as not to cause accumulation of moisture. Always check with the manufacturer of the cladding material for suitable characteristics of the building membrane.
- Butt the insulation closely together to ensure there are no gaps left at joints.
- Offcuts may be used to fill small spaces to ensure complete coverage.
Cavity brick walls (double brick):
• Glasswool insulation is not recommended for external wall full fill cavity applications.
Pink Batt Installation – Internal partition walls:
• Friction fit the insulation into the wall frames ensuring there are no gaps between the insulation and studs or noggins.
• Ensure that the batts do not protrude past the stud and fit snugly.
Having trouble with Pink Batt Installation?
If you’re still having trouble after reading our Pink Batt Insulation Installation Guidelines, don’t be afraid to contact us. You can always asks our professionals by calling 03 9687 7283 or you can email sales@insulationeasy.com.au. You can also use our contact page for queries or if you’re interested for a free insulation quote.
If you’re having trouble with installing Fletcher Pink Batts insulation? Let Insulation Easy Australia’s professional insulation team handle the job. You can ask us for a free insulation quote or you can call 03 9687 7283.
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