Insulations are necessary to control the amount of heat that can pass from one surface to another. They are generally made of materials that are resistant to fire. It is however the case that under the influence of excessive temperature, the insulation can melt and burn.
Having said that, the insulations do not burn easily, and also, it is not safe and sound to burn insulations. So, is it possible for you to burn insulation with ease? Are there any health hazards associated with burning insulation? If yes, what are they? Well, herein we are going to find answers to these.
Can you burn insulation?
The reason that insulation provides thermal management makes it a clear fact that insulations are heat or fire-resistant. If not fire resistant, insulations are designed to be non-combustible. However, after a certain temperature, even insulations can be burnt. The effect of temperature is different on the following types of insulations-
•Fiberglass insulation
Can you burn fiberglass insulation? What is melting point of fiberglass insulation? Glass and plastic polymers are combined to make fiberglass insulation. These insulations are fire resistant but they melt when too much heat is supplied to them. To burn the fire glass insulation, a temperature of more than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit is required.
•Loft insulation
Loft insulation is made from glass fiber. Glass fiber is fire resistant and inflammable. It does not catch fire easily. Therefore, if you are to burn loft insulation, you have to give excessive temperature to it. A temperature of more than 2200 degrees Fahrenheit should be given to the loft roll insulation for it to melt and burn.
•Blown-in insulation
Blown-in insulation is primarily made of cellulose or fiberglass. Both these materials are suited to fit in attics. However, blown-in insulation does not burn quite easily. It is inflammable and fire-resistant so a large amount of heat needs to be supplied to the material made of blown-in insulation if it is to be burnt.
•Cellulose insulation
Cellulose insulation is composed of newspapers, papers, and other recycling materials. To make cellulose insulation fire retardant, ammonium sulfate and borate are added to it. Cellulose insulation is at a higher risk of getting burnt because it is made of recycled components.
•Foam insulation
Foam insulation is easily flammable. Materials including newspapers, paper fabrics, and other insulations made of recycled substances catch fire quite effortlessly. Hence, foam insulation can be burnt even if a little temperature is given to it.
Is burnt insulation toxic?
Burning insulation results in the emission of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride in the surroundings. These gases are a major cause of environmental pollution. If the toxic gases released on burning insulation are present in larger amounts, they can cause health hazards and diseases as well.
Also, burning insulation produces a large amount of smoke. The smoke irritates the eyes and it becomes very difficult for a person to evacuate the area where the insulation is burning.
What temperature does insulation burn?
The melting point of different insulations varies according to the material from which the insulation is made. For instance, insulations composed of glass fiber burn and melt at a temperature of 2700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Contrary to this, the materials made of spray foam insulations have a lower melting point. Such insulations burn at 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, there is no constant temperature at which will cellulous insulation burns. However, the temperature varies between 700 degrees to 2700 degrees.
How to burn insulation?
Firstly, it is better advised that insulations should not be burnt as they release several toxic chemicals and substances into the atmosphere when they are brought under the influence of heat. If it is still necessary to burn insulation, the following steps should be followed to do that-
•Take precautions
Insulation should be burnt only after taking the necessary precautions. Firstly, insulations such as fiberglass should not be exposed to fire as they have a very high melting point of 2700 degrees Fahrenheit. Such high temperatures cause a lot of smoke in the surroundings. Therefore, ensure to wear glasses while burning insulation.
•Pick the burning place wisely
You should never try to burn insulation indoors. It can cause health hazards if you stay in the place for too long. If it is extremely necessary to burn insulation, do it in open surroundings. Also, do not stay for too long in the surroundings where insulation is burnt.
•Using fuel
To fasten up the process of burning, make use of fuels. Fuel initiates and increases the rate of burning and so the melting point of the insulation is achieved gradually faster than normal. Therefore, while burning insulation, make use of a suitable fuel.
•A fire extinguisher is your best companion
Burning insulation, especially foam and cellulose, includes the risk of fire. Therefore, it is suggested that you always accompany the insulation burning process with a fire extinguisher by your side. In case of unwanted fires, you can always make use of the fire extinguisher.
•Don’t mess with fiberglass
The toughest insulation material is fiberglass. It has a melting temperature of 2700 degrees Fahrenheit. Burning it is not easy. Even when excessive heat is given to fiberglass insulation, it melts. But that releases toxic substances into the atmosphere, so it should not be done.
How can you get rid of old insulation?
The most important thing a person should keep in mind is that old insulations should never be burnt. Burning old insulations would be more dangerous as the insulations might have degraded over time.
As a result, you should always call a professional who specializes in removing old insulation. To get rid of old insulations, you can follow the below-given steps-
•Asking for professional help
When you are to get rid of old insulation, you should ask for professional help rather than burning the insulation. Contact a specialist or a recycling company for the same.
•Use biodegradable insulation
Insulation materials made of cellulose or foam are easily biodegradable. Hence, in the first place, you should be considerate in using biodegradable insulations so that they can be disposed of easily.
•Know about the insulation type
Fiberglass insulation is difficult to get rid of. Even burning this type of insulation is a troublesome process. Therefore, always know about the type of insulation before deciding to get rid of them. If the insulation is easy to get rid of, do it on your own.
•Recycle them
Lastly, the most effective method to get rid of old insulations is by recycling them. Either contact a specialized person or company to take off the old insulations properly, else follow precautionary methods before you decide to get rid of the insulation on your own.
Which type of insulation is the most fireproof?
Fiberglass and mineral wool are the most fireproof types of insulation. Fiberglass is made with a combination of glass and plastic polymers. Therefore, it is naturally fire-resistant. However, if a temperature more than 2500 degrees Fahrenheit is given to a material made of fiberglass, it will melt and gradually burn.
On the other hand, mineral wool insulation has a high melting temperature and amazing fire-resistant properties. It is naturally inflammable and so it is widely used for thermal applications. Thus, mineral wool and fiberglass are the two most fireproof insulation. They are highly inflammable and fire-resistant.
What does burning insulation smell like?
Burning insulation smells like burnt cookies, burnt sugar, or burnt cotton candy. The odors that are spread as a result of burning insulation are quite strong and they can be quickly sensed. The poor and strong odor is a major problem faced by contractors.
FAQ’s
1) Is fiberglass insulation flammable?
Fiberglass insulation is the most inflammable and fire-resistant insulation. It is fireproof and melts only if a temperature of 2700 degrees Fahrenheit is given to the fiberglass insulation material. Hence, fiberglass insulation is not flammable.
2) Is burning fiberglass insulation toxic?
Yes, burning fiberglass insulation is toxic. The reason that fiberglass insulation is fireproof and melts when large amounts of heat are given to the insulation indicates that it is toxic.
Excessive heat results in the emission of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide when fiberglass is burnt. It causes serious hazards to the environment as well as to one’s health.
3) Can you burn insulation foam?
Insulation foam is not as fire-resistant as fiberglass insulation is. It can easily and conveniently be burnt if only a little heat and a temperature of around 700 degrees Fahrenheit is given to the foam insulation. Insulation foam should not be burnt within the boundaries as toxic gases will be released when it is burnt.
4) Will blown-in insulation burn?
Blown-in insulation made of fiberglass does not burn easily. The melting point of fiberglass is nearly 2500 to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes an excessive temperature to be able to burn a fiber blown-in insulation. On the other hand, if blown-in insulation is composed of cellulose then it will burn more easily. It is because cellulose is formed from recycled materials such as newspapers.
Conclusion
Insulations should rather be recycled or given to specialists than burnt. Burning insulation releases toxic chemicals into the surroundings. These chemical substances are hazardous to health. They cause excessive environmental pollution and itching in the eyes too.
