Types and Benefits of Fireproof Insulation

Fireproof insulation should be an essential part of the family home to guard against the many causes of house fires; there are a number of different types of fireproof insulation that could make your home a safer place to live in. Fire retardant properties can be added to a commonly used insulation for reasons of safety. Although you have been constantly made aware of the importance of smoke alarms in the home, the use of fire retardant insulation is not so well publicized but is no less important.

Fire retardant materials are available in many forms and can be added to a host of different insulations to give ultimate protection to the home. They can work in a host of different ways but their prime function is to harness the combustibility of the material that they are added to. A layer can be formed that can protect a substance from extreme heat or water vapors can be released to retard the burning process. Regardless of how it is achieved, these different types of fireproof insulation are extremely effective when it comes to the protection of your home.

The many forms that fireproof insulation is available results from making use of products such as foils, foam, film, glass wool, chopped fibres, fibrous mats and in boards or blocks. Fireproof mats are produced by knitting, weaving or braiding a material to an existing mat. Different products have different fire ratings due to the variation in the insulation used and this must be taken into account when purchasing any type of fireproof product. All insulation has what is known as an R value which indicates the temperature that can be reached before it becomes ineffective.

For example fibreglass insulation remains effective in temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius.

Polymers insulation can withstand temperatures up to 1215 degrees Celsius.

Glass wool insulation is efficient when exposed to temperatures between 100 degrees and 660 degrees Celsius.

Asbestos insulation can be used where temperatures in excess of 1649 Celsius can be expected.

Cellulose insulation is only proven to remain effective in temperatures up to 149 degrees Celsius.

When researching the different types of fireproof insulation it is important to be aware of the temperatures that the various products remain effective, and the safety aspects when handling the various insulations.