Insulation loft with polystyrene?

alirob12

Hi,

I am thinking of insulating a side loft with polystyrene. Can anyone advise what glue etc i should use to stick it to a bare breeze blocks? Also can i cut the polystyrene around gas pipes? ANy advice would be very welcome. Thank you

dogmaryxx

Fire hazards
Like other organic compounds, polystyrene is flammable. Polystyrene is classified according to DIN4102 as a "B3" product, meaning highly flammable or "Easily Ignited." As a consequence, although it is an efficient insulator at low temperatures, its use is prohibited in any exposed installations in building construction if the material is not flame-retardant.[citation needed] It must be concealed behind drywall, sheet metal, or concrete.[citation needed] Foamed polystyrene plastic materials have been accidentally ignited and caused huge fires and losses, for example at the Düsseldorf International Airport, the Channel tunnel (where polystyrene was inside a railcar that caught fire), and the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant (where fire breached a fire retardant and reached the foamed plastic underneath, inside a firestop that had not been tested and certified in accordance with the final installation)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene

John_Gray

Very good point made by dogmaryxx.

To it should be added the fact that, when burning, highly toxic gases are given off. So going ahead with your idea probably means that you are creating a death trap.

N9eav

Use some Kingspan/celotex type insulation batts and stick them on with expanding foam grab adhesive. It will have far better insulation and fire protection properties.