Urethane Foam Insulation Fire Hazard

After all thermal insulation can and should continuously and completely envelop the buildings we occupy.

Urethane foam insulation fire hazard.

Polyurethane foam fires are known to produce very high heat release rates and extremely toxic fumes. 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. 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. 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.

Organic foam insulation regardless of whether the foam contains fire retardants should be considered combustible and handled accordingly. When sprayed on the interior of a building with no covering such as shotcrete or drywall polyurethane foam can create a dangerous fire hazard. See the 13 reasons foam fails here for an idea of what it means to be an accelerant take a look at the video below produced. Magic material and the best kept insulation secret authored by david b.

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. Spray on polyurethane insulation carries a fire rating of class 1. For more information on urethane foam please review urethane foam.

Reason foam fails 2 unacceptable fire hazard is it really too much to ask that our thermal insulation not be a fire accelerant. Nfpa 5000 building construction and safety code provides information on the use of foamed plastic in subsection 10. Fire rating spray on polyurethanes and fire rating with so many conflicting reports about spray on polyurethane insulation as a fire hazard it s time to set the record straight. Precautions should be taken to minimize any potential for fire through accidental ignition in handling storage and use.

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.