Expanded Polystyrene Foam Board Insulation Fire Resistant

Astm c578 standard specification for rigid cellular polystyrene thermal insulation addresses the physical properties and performance characteristics of eps foam as it relates to thermal insulation in construction applications.

Expanded polystyrene foam board insulation fire resistant.

This foam board insulation is the rigid pink or blue panels that can be found at home centers in many different thicknesses. Like practically all organic building materials polystyrene foam is combustible. When installed correctly expanded polystyrene products do not present an undue fire hazard. Because of its resistance to moisture foam board insulation is a great choice.

It is denser than eps and provides more r value with a rating of 5 per inch of thickness. The thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene foam of density 20 kg m 3 is 0 035 0 037 w m k at 10 c. However in practice its burning behavior depends on the conditions under which it is used as well as the inherent properties of the material. This q a article discusses the requirement for a fire resistant covering for foam and foam board board building insulation.

Since most fire codes call for a minimum of half hour fire rating over foam insulations paneling would probably not provide a sufficient fire barrier over the foam insulating board. However the burning behaviour of eps depends largely on end use conditions and whether the eps material is with or without a fire retardant additive.