PEARLAND Blog

Understanding The Fire Safety of Insulation

Flame-Resistant VS Fire Retardant

There is a significant difference between materials that are flame resistant and fire retardant, but many people make the mistake of using the terms interchangeably in their vocabulary. However, it’s incredibly important for homeowners to become familiar with the difference in order to have a better understanding of safety precautions in their homes. While it may seem like a minor difference at first, taking the time to learn the nuances of the products and materials being installed in your home can end up making a noteworthy impact.

An insulation material that can be described as flame-resistant is typically a product that is considered "inherently non-flammable." These are naturally non-combustible, which means that their chemical make-up contributes to their resistance to fire. As such, these materials don't necessarily need any additional chemicals applied during production.

On the other hand, fire retardant materials don't have the same benefits within their chemical compounds. Instead, this type of insulation needs to be chemically treated in order to provide the material with slow-burning or self-extinguishing properties that improve the safety of the product. It's also important to remember that while these materials are a crucial barrier to slowing the spread of a fire in some situations, neither flame-resistant nor flame retardant material will necessarily extinguish a severe house fire.

• Fiberglass and Mineral Wool

When it comes to understanding the main differences between flame-resistant and fire retardant materials, you'll first need a basic breakdown of each material. Fiberglass and mineral wool are some of the most easily recognizable insulation materials homeowners can point out. You may remember the age-old warning that you shouldn't eat or touch the "fluffy stuff" in the attic. These types of materials are considered flame-resistant since they're naturally noncombustible, typically even if they've significantly deteriorated over time.

However, it’s important to take note: some fiberglass and mineral wool batts may have combustible facings (a paper or foil covering that will be on the outside of the material). These should be additionally covered with a code-approved fire barrier. As you’re discussing your insulation options with the local insulation experts, you should be taking note of where any potentially hazardous materials are and understand the necessary precautions - if there are any - that need to be taken into account for these areas.

• Cellulose

For those that are looking for an energy-efficient and cost-effective material to install in their home, blown-in cellulose tends to tick off many of the necessary boxes. When taking a closer look at this choice, one can see that cellulose insulation is made of 80% recycled material - a majority of this material typically comes from old recycled newspapers. Although the components of this recycled material are usually considered highly combustible, cellulose insulation is chemically treated with boric acid during production to reduce this hazard. This process is what makes the material flame retardant.

For some homeowners, the idea of flame retardant may be less appealing than a fire-resistant material. However, it's important to remember our note from before: neither type of material is going to entirely stop a hazardous house fire. Instead, both material types have their advantages in these kinds of accidents and should be considered side by side during your decision process. For more information on cellulose insulation and a controlled demonstration of its response to fire, check out Koala Insulation's video "Insulation 101: Cellulose Insulation.”

• Spray Foam

Finally, another insulation material commonly used throughout residential buildings and homes is spray foam insulation. There are two types of material, both with their own benefits and advantages for different climates, installation areas, and more: open-cell and closed-cell spray foam. Both of these types of spray foam insulation are considered flame retardants, as they're chemically treated after they've been applied to the surface of your building.

A common myth about spray foam is that it's a significant fire hazard for your home because of the chemicals mixed together to create the installed material. While spray foam will ignite at about 700?, there are additional steps taken to make the material flame retardant. Once applied, spray foam is covered in an intumescent coating, often a type of paint. This creates a protective barrier that helps protect the material from high temperatures. For perspective, an intumescent coating is a commonly used product to cover many different combustible objects and materials in both residential and commercial buildings.

Stay Safe in Your Home With Your Local Insulation Experts

The team of industry professionals at Koala Insulation of Pearland has a detailed checklist of needs that need to be met in our community. While finding solutions that are friendly to both your household’s budget and the environment, safety is also another top priority. On top of ensuring that our products are Grade 1, this also includes helping you and your household stay educated on what you’re looking to have installed throughout your home.

We accomplish this by offering free evaluations to get a better understanding of your home’s current condition. Once we’re familiar with the insulation and air sealing within the house, we can help guide your household to make informed decisions that take into account your current schedule and budget. If you’re interested in learning more about the material that helps protect and improve your environment, contact Koala Insulation of Pearland today and schedule your free evaluation.