Insulation fireproofing reduces the risks of commercial or industrial spaces and protects occupants’ safety. It is important to choose the right insulating material for your space based on its fire rating.
Fiberglass insulation is inherently noncombustible and does not require additional fire retardant chemicals. However, foil and kraft paper-faced fiberglass must be installed with a code-approved barrier.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is one of the most popular materials used in house insulation today. It is cheap, easy to install and helps prevent heat from radiating from inside the home. However, many people are wondering whether fiberglass is flammable.
Fiberglass insulation is non-flammable, although it does melt at high temperatures. It is made from glass combined with plastic polymers and is designed to be fire-resistant. It is also able to resist water and moisture. It can be manufactured in a number of ways including by extrusion, in which case the materials are pushed through dies. It can also be fabricated using pultrusion, which involves pulling the material through a forming machine.
Once the fiberglass is shaped and coated with a resin, it can be molded into a wide variety of shapes and sizes. It can also be cut and drilled easily, making it very versatile. It is also lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and work with.
Another option for insulation is cellulose, which is made from recycled paper. This is non-flammable and can help prevent pests, mold and wood decay. Cellulose can be a good alternative to fiberglass and is a greener choice. However, it is important to note that cellulose insulation may require additional fire-retardant treatments if you are concerned about a fire in your home.
Mineral Wool
Often referred to as rock wool, stone wool or slag wool, mineral wool is manufactured in a furnace where temperatures are high enough to melt rock and steel. The molten materials are spun until they cool and take the shape of long, thin fibers that are densely packed together. This makes for an insulator that is resistant to heat, and also fire safe.
As with fiberglass, it’s important to use a code-approved barrier behind mineral wool insulation in walls and floors/ceilings. The barrier is designed to prevent the spread of fire from one room to another, and is also important for ensuring the integrity of the building structure.
In addition, unlike fiberglass, mineral wool can withstand much higher temperatures and does not melt. It also does not require additional fire-retardant chemicals, as is the case with some fiberglass products.
Another benefit of mineral wool is that it is extremely easy to measure accurately. It’s not as flexible as fiberglass batts, but it’s still fairly rigid and can be cut and shaped easily at the job site. This makes it easy to get around outlets, pipes and other obstructions that would otherwise interfere with the installation of other types of insulation. It’s also relatively easy to clean up, as it does not shed fibers like fiberglass. The material is also breathable, which can help prevent the growth of mold, mildew and other harmful microorganisms.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation, also known as blown-in cellulose insulation, is made from recycled paper boxes and newsprint. It is sprayed into wall cavities and attics using pneumatic spraying machines. It is a highly effective insulation, providing R-values of between 3.2 and 3.5 per inch of thickness. It is a natural air-blocker, resisting the conductive flow of heat from one area to another, which accounts for most of a home’s energy loss.
The cellulose insulation industry is working to improve its production and safety processes. For example, a Yestermorrow Buiding Science course I took featured Bill Hulstrunk from UltraCell Insulation, who has worked on a new wet processing method that makes cellulose less prone to creating airborne dust. He’s also been looking into using more recycled cardboard in his production process, as he believes that fewer resources are needed to recycle end-of-life paper products into cellulose insulation.
In addition to its high R-value, cellulose is one of the most fire retardant insulation materials available. It is heavily treated with non-toxic borate compounds, including boric acid and borax. These chemicals make up over 15 percent of the cellulose’s final volume and are highly effective fire-retardants that last for the lifetime of the insulation.
It takes 20 to 40 times as much energy to produce furnace-made insulating materials than cellulose insulation, which has lower embodied energy, as well as a smaller carbon footprint. It is made with locally-available, easily recycled paper and blown into attics and walls using pneumatic machinery, whereas mineral insulation requires electricity-powered furnaces to manufacture it.
Foam
Foam insulation provides a good thermal resistance and also blocks outside noise, prevents moisture from entering walls (which can create mold), and deters pests. It comes in a variety of types and can be installed in various ways. Spray foam is sprayed into wall cavities and expands to form an effective barrier that can’t be penetrated by flame or smoke, so it can protect people and property from fire.
The most common type of insulating foam is made from polystyrene or polyisocyanurate (polyiso), which are essentially plastics that combine with a liquid foaming agent. This liquid can be sprayed or injected into wall cavities and it expands and hardens as it cures, creating a durable thermal barrier that resists air intrusion, fire, and water. Foam board — rigid panels of foam — can be used in the same way as sprayed insulation, and it’s ideal for exterior walls and basement walls.
Legacy AFFF foams contain PFAS, which are known to have probable human health effects (Section 7.1). The development of newer fluorotelomer-based aqueous film-forming foams with equivalent performance and better environmental profiles is ongoing. Until these foams are available, it’s important that all AFFF users implement best management practices for storage, handling, and use to minimize any potential impacts. This includes establishing training, equipment, and procedures for using AFFF during emergencies.