Is Spray Foam Considered Passive Fireproofing?
Fire hazards are always a viable concern for any type of building, but what can you do to help protect yourself should an accident occur? For the best chance of making, it out of an emergency situation safely, you may want to upgrade your property with some passive fireproofing components. Does spray foam insulation fall into that category? The experts at Foam Bear Tampa are here to show you how you can equip your home to better handle fires.
Understanding Class Fire Ratings
When it comes to fire-resistant features, there is a system referred to as the class fire rating. Since most components are resistant to fires rather than being completely fireproof, it’s more practical to judge them by how long they can fend off flames rather than if they’re impervious to flames or not. These class fire ratings typically go by the number of hours a structure can last before combusting. For example, having a “class 1 hour” fire rating means the structure can resist flames for an hour before it’s prone to igniting. This is especially helpful as it can give people enough time to properly and safely evacuate the premises.
Building Components With Fire-Resistant Properties
Having fire-resistant elements with class fire ratings is nice to have for your property, but what type of building features qualify for passive fireproofing? Anything that can slow down the spread of flames is applicable, including:
- Fire doors, window frames, walls, floors, and ceilings that have a fire-resistant coating
- Fire-resistant glass panes
- Coated cables
- Anything that gets in the way of flames entering openings like vents
- Spray foam insulation with a class fire rating
Types of Fire-Resistant Spray Foam Insulation
People often wonder whether or not spray foam insulation is flammable. While spray foam is technically considered flammable, top-grade closed-cell spray foam insulation comes with a class 1 hour fire rating meaning that it can help stop the spread of the fire for a safer means of escape. While you shouldn’t completely rely on it to protect you, it will certainly give you more time to evacuate. This is why spray foam insulation can be considered passive fireproofing to some degree.
Out of the different types of available spray foam insulation, closed-cell foam is the denser type which is how it’s more likely to repel natural elements like fire, air, and moisture. It’s commonly applied to corners and crevices where there’s direct exposure to the outside, ensuring adequate protection. Open-cell spray foam is still a great insulator, but closed-cell is the better choice when it comes to preparing for fire-related accidents.
Where to Get Closed-Cell Spray Foam In Tampa
Want to equip your property with fire-resistant properties? Huntsman-brand closed-cell spray foam from Foam Bear Tampa has a class 1 hour fire rating which can help you in case of a spreading fire. Your safety is our priority which is why we will install your spray foam with the utmost care and precision for the best possible application. Call us today at (727) 580-1090 for a free estimate!
