The National Fire Authority has raised concerns that hardware companies are selling substandard foil insulation to the residential housing market.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Tupou Saubulinayau said that these substandard foils are specified as dangerous goods and it was declared dangerous in October last year under the Trade Standards and Quality Control Decree 1992.

He said these foils are cheaper but do not comply with the Building code and it contributes to the rapid spread of fire at the roofing and ceiling level as observed by the fire officers.

Saubuliniyau said that the majority of building foils imported into Fiji are not made using fire retardant adhesives.

He has advised people who are planning to replace existing ceiling foils or to build new buildings to buy foils that comply with Fiji's Building code even though they cost higher than the non-compliant foils.