When people think of insulation, they often think of it only in terms of energy savings and occupant comfort. What they don’t realize is that insulation can play an even bigger role as passive fire protection. Insulations like fiberglass or mineral wool are noncombustible and have a melting points significantly above most acceptable 1-hour rated assemblies. As a result insulation can serve as an effective passive fire protection measure in many applications. A well-planned and well-installed insulation system can work to slow or even halt the spread of fire.
In this article, JR Babineau, Research Manager and the Principal Building Scientist for Johns Manville, discusses how using mineral wool and fiberglass can help slow the spread of fire from one space to the next. Click here.
