In the past decade there have been several large and catastrophic international fires that have increased efforts to prevent them or retard their spread if they start. One building component that has received attention for its combustibility is insulation. Building insulation conserves energy, but can also be a fire risk. There are many types of insulation material, and each has its own degree of combustibility. Why is insulation combustibility an important issue? "With ever-increasing energy codes requiring more insulation or more efficient types of insulation to be used in construction, insulation can also increase the risk of fire spread and/or smoke and toxic gases depending on the materials being used," says Mike Smith, technical manager, Silvercote LLC, Greenville,. S.C.
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