Urethane Foam Insulation Fire Hazard

In the early 1990s because of their impact on ozone depletion the montreal protocol restricted the use of many chlorine containing blowing agents such as trichlorofluoromethane cfc 11.

Urethane foam insulation fire hazard.

Polyurethane foam including foam rubber is sometimes made using small amounts of blowing agents to give less dense foam better cushioning energy absorption or thermal insulation. Foam as a fire hazard. South with appendices by david vaughn. Reason foam fails 2 unacceptable fire hazard is it really too much to ask that our thermal insulation not be a fire accelerant.

Fire safety guidelines for use of rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam insulation in building construction published by the urethane division the society of the plastics industry. After all thermal insulation can and should continuously and completely envelop the buildings we occupy. Sprayed on urethane insulation i e foamed plastic is still popular in some areas and is used as an insulating material for ironclad metal buildings and in other types of construction such as wood frame. One of the major safety precautions to be taken around organic foams is to prohibit sources of ignition such as open flames cutting and welding torches.

Magic material and the best kept insulation secret authored by david b. Precautions should be taken to minimize any potential for fire through accidental ignition in handling storage and use. In addition 15 of the components that comprise most spray on foams are fire retardant. For more information on urethane foam please review urethane foam.

Spray on polyurethane insulation carries a fire rating of class 1. Nfpa 5000 building construction and safety code provides information on the use of foamed plastic in subsection 10. Polyurethane foam fires are known to produce very high heat release rates and extremely toxic fumes. When sprayed on the interior of a building with no covering such as shotcrete or drywall polyurethane foam can create a dangerous fire hazard.

Organic foam insulation regardless of whether the foam contains fire retardants should be considered combustible and handled accordingly.