Fiberglass is an attractive choice for home insulation because it poses no fire hazard. According to some estimates, thermal insulation (made from fiberglass and its alternatives) conserves 12 times as much energy as is lost in its production, and it may reduce residential energy costs by up to 40%.
Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation
Materials are noncombustible, and remain so for the life of the product. They require no additional fire-retardant chemical treatments—in fact, unfaced fiberglass and mineral wool are accepted as a fire block in wood frames.
Fiberglass insulation is non-flammable and will not burn, but it can melt at high temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The binding material may char or release smoke, but the fibers themselves are fire-resistant.
The main concerns with use of fiberglass insulation are skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritation.
To sum up, choosing mineral wool, cellular glass, or closed-cell insulation that is incombustible and nonabsorbent provides the highest level of fire safety. Such types of insulation won't add to the spread of fire, nor release toxic smoke and fumes.
Fibreglass Insulation:
As mentioned above, fibreglass has a Euroclass A1 or A2 rating, which puts the product under the non-combustible or limited combustibility category. Fibreglass insulation has a high melting point, typically around 1,200 to 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,192 to 2,732 degrees Fahrenheit).
The best non-toxic insulation is either mineral wool or foam insulation inserts.
Fiberglass insulation is less dense than other types of insulation and does not create an airtight seal, which means air can travel freely through the insulation. This is called air leakage and it's one of the most common sources of energy loss in a house.
Breathing in fiberglass particles is dangerous. These particles can embed in your lung tissue, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function. Always wear a mask or respirator when near exposed insulation.
However, “by the late 1970s consumers and health organizations established a solid link between asbestos and lung disease. In 1980, asbestos production was banned throughout the U.S. and many other countries” (hunker.com). As a result, cellulose insulation was introduced as an alternative to fiberglass.
Safe Proven Ingredients. A safe home environment begins with the materials used to build it. Owens Corning® PINK Next Gen™ Fiberglas™ insulation is made with safe, proven ingredients that naturally resist fire and do not support mold growth, with no formaldehyde and no fire retardants added to the fiberglass.
Fibreglass. Fibreglass insulation is also non-combustible, meaning it will not contribute to a fire. However, it has a lower melting point, at around 540°c, meaning it could melt during an intense house fire, allowing flames to spread to other flammable materials within the construction.
After removing the staples, simply roll out and fold the fiberglass insulation individually. It's best to start from the farthest corner of the room. Discard them in large garbage bags. Talk to your local waste management department to know where you can take them for proper disposal.
Fiberglass can withstand high temperatures, with its average melting point being 540oC.. Another crucial property of fiberglass is its fire resistance. It will not catch fire and prevent fire from traveling through it, reducing the spread.
In general, the color of insulation doesn't equal better performance over another color. Whether it's pink, white, brown, or yellow—color doesn't influence dependability, reliability, or the products effectiveness.
The fiberglass can give you tiny cuts on your skin, which can cause rashes and blisters, and irritate your eyes and lungs. If this material is inhaled, it can also be dangerous and worsen asthma. Studies have shown the inhalation of airborne fiberglass can lead to adverse health effects.
You can take steps to reduce your exposure to fibers when working with materials that contain fiberglass: Wear loose fitting, long-sleeved clothing and gloves. This will reduce skin contact and irritation. Wear a mask over the nose and mouth to prevent breathing in the fibers.
Direct contact with fiberglass or breathing airborne dust containing fiberglass may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. The symptoms of irritation are often nonspecific, temporary, and may include itching, coughing, or wheezing.
THERMAL PERFORMANCE
For both of these characteristics, mineral wool has slightly better performance than fiberglass. For example, JM's mineral wool batt, TempControl®, offers an R-15 at 3.5 inches, while JM's fiberglass batts offer an R-13 at the same thickness.
Health hazards of interacting with exposed insulation include: Risks of skin, eye and lung irritation. Potential for mold and mildew growth. Risk of increased health problems for kids, as uncovered insulation isn't child-proof.
In addition, many fiberglass insulation products use: Phenol formaldehyde to bind the fiberglass fibers together (iqair.com), and the off-gassing of formaldehyde can cause similar symptoms. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and exposure to fiberglass insulation formaldehyde causes brain cancer.
Mineral wool is noncombustible and can be used in tandem with other forms of fire-resistant insulation. Mineral wool can also refer to glass wool, rock wool, or slag wool. Glass wool in particular can withstand temperatures of up to 1,220 degrees. Mineral wool has an R-value ranging from R-2.8 to R-3.5.
FAQs On Fiberglass Insulation & Fire Safety
While fiberglass insulation is not entirely fireproof, it is designed to be fire-resistant and slow down the spread of flames.
Fiberglass insulation materials are inherently non-combustible and belong to inorganic fire-resistant materials. Fiberglass insulation can typically withstand temperatures exceeding 1000°C (1832°F) without burning or decomposing.