Blog by Lisa Hilton Your Local Contact for Real Estate in Whistler and Pemberton

<< back to article list

THE DANGERS OF COMBUSTIBLE INSULATION

A well-intentioned, do-it-yourself project can easily create a lethal situation.

WHAT ? Check your home for combustible insulation.
WHEN ? Fall.
WHY ? When plastic insulation burns, it gives off a tremendous amount of heat. The fire tends to travel very quickly across the surface of the plastic and gives off thick, black, toxic smoke.
HOW ? The most common type of exposed combustible insulation found in houses is polystyrene -- the white plastic insulation commonly used to make disposable coffee cups.

It comes in one-quarter inch to four-inch thick sheets. It is often exposed in basements, crawl spaces and garages.

If you find this insulation in your home, cover it with drywall to protect it from fire and reduce flame spread if it does burn.

[ Larger Image ]

TIPS

If polystyrene insulation has been glued to the inside of your garage door, there's no way to adequately protect it -- simply remove it.
 

Polystyrene was often used by do-it-yourselfers as inexpensive ceiling tile for T- bar ceilings. Using combustible plastic insulation as suspended ceiling tiles is a disaster waiting to happen.

This entry was posted on November 16th, 2006 | Posted in Manage Your Home

Sitemap Privacy Policy Real Estate websites for Agents