Fire And Moisture Resistant Insulation
by Mark Row
Keeping your home safe and dry
Fire and moisture resistant insulation is an essential part of proper insulation in both residential and especially commercial and industrial buildings where there is a much higher risk of fire or deterioration caused by moisture. This is why it is crucial to take into account fireproof and waterproof properties of insulation materials you are installing in your home or office. Although many of the insulation products available in the market today can be classified as fire and moisture resistant insulation, it is important to know that fire and moisture resistance properties are not at the same level with every of these insulating materials which can easily make a big difference when it comes to protecting and prolonging the life of your building, material assets of even your own. We herewith offer you some basics on fire and moisture resistant insulation.
Fire resistant insulation implies the use of fire retardant materials, especially designed to provide fire protection and used in any other way or simply providing a fireproof coating for other commonly used insulation materials. These retardant materials usually include fiberglass, polymers, glass wool or some natural insulation products, used individually or combined with some other substances, all available in different forms from foam, block and board insulation, chopped fibers and fibrous mats to foils and films. However, as mentioned before, not all fire resistant insulation products have the same level of fireproofing, that is there is a difference in temperatures that these products can be exposed to without loosing their performance. For instance, fiberglass materials can be exposed to temperatures not higher than about 100°C, glass wool can sustain temperature of up to 700°C, while some types of polymers can be exposed to temperature of even more than 1000°C. One should always keep in mind the basic characteristics and appliances of every type of insulating material, since fiberglass itself will not burn, but its covering may, just as fibrous mats as being made from minerals called asbestos have high heat resistance but have some health risks, while films and foils are best used in securing electronics from different heat sources.
When it comes to fire and moisture resistant insulation, moisture resistant insulation is equally important since it can prolong the life of your home or office building and stop their deterioration caused by moisture, water, mold or flooding. Insulating products with high moisture resistance are of particular importance in areas exposed to flooding and other natural disasters such as hurricanes. The right choice of insulating material may depend on the location of the building, the surface it is being applied to as well as its ability to be combined with other materials, as well as does the whole system inhibit drying, which can be especially important. There are many moisture resistant materials available, such as foam and rigid insulation (including polystyrene insulation) or fiberglass which however, though is water resistant and will not be damaged, can hold water and thus prolong the drying time.
Right here at InsulationLondon, you can find amazing fire and moisture resistant insulation products, available in many different sizes, made in compliance with the 
applicable regulations and standards, properly certified, which can help you properly protect and insulate your home. For instance, you can opt for Cembrit Cempanel which is produced fine wood particle, Portland cement and mineralizing agents, very durable and 
eco-friendly with very high moisture resistance performance due to its manufacturing process or choose Knauf Fireshield Plasterboard, with superior fire resistance performance, especially designed for use in partition, ceiling and lining systems, with, depending on the thickness, 0,5 to 4 hours of fire resistance, where its glass fiber allow the board to maintain integrity in fire.
On the other hand, you can always go for Promat calcium silicate reinforced insulation boards, formulated without inorganic fibers, providing up to 30 or 60 minutes fire protection (Masterboard and BluClad ) or even up to 240 minutes of fire resistance (Supalux), or Xtratherm Phenolic Insulation Board, consisting of a Class O phenolic foam core with negligible smoke obscuration, to British Gypsum Glasrock Multiboard, as non-combustible glass reinforced gypsum board, used in both wall and partition linings, all providing both high fire and moisture resistant insulation.
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