Field Observations of
Building Damage & Cellulose Insulation
John Certuse P.E.
ISE Engineering Inc.
Presentation to Owens Corning Inc.
15 October 2009
Intended for private viewing to Owens Corning Inc. Only
John Certuse P.E.
•
President/Owner of ISE Engineering, Attleboro MA. Forensic Engineering firm investigating
causes of damage to buildings as a result of frozen pipes, mold, fires, construction
deficiencies and appliance failures.
•
BS Marine Engineering Massachusetts Maritime Academy
•
Registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical) MA, ME, NH, VT, RI, CT, NY, VA, MD
•
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
•
Licensed Pipe-fitter, Oil Burner Technician, Stationary Engineer.
•
Author of several articles for plumbing & heating trade publications as well as technical
paper entitled “Forensic Engineering Investigation into Freeze Damage to Buildings”
for the National Academy of Forensic Engineers.
15 Extension Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
(508) 226 8800
[email protected]
Cellulose Insulation
and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Issues
What is cellulose and what does it contain?
Paper fibers from:
Recycled newspapers magazines etc but also:
Ink
Binders
Preservatives
And possible unknown substances as well.
Recycled paper contaminates reportedly also include:
Food Waste
Hazardous Products (Hydrogenated terphenyls
(HTP),diisopropylnaphthalane DIPN)
Adhesives
Plastics
Pet Waste
Forced Hot Air System ductwork
Contamination of Cellulose fibers
Cellulose insulation in
ductwork
Depressurization induced transport of contaminates
Cellulose Insulation
+ Positive
Pressure
Negative Air Pressure
causes an inward flow
of air taking cellulose
dust with it.
This accumulates over
time
- Negative
Pressure
Pressure Graph of Building Depressurization
Depressurization Induced
IAQ Problems
• Pressure
magnitudes will
cause air and
entrained
particle
movement to
allow
unintended
migration into
homes.
Convective Air Current Flow distributes
airborne contaminate through
baseboard. Temperature differences
cause contaminate to adhere to wall.
Our investigations have found that Laboratory Analysis of contaminates are often products
of combustion from the heating appliance re-entering and accumulating within the structure.
There is however also a large number of tests where the lab samples show that in addition
to soot, Cellulose is contaminating the living spaces of the home.
Fiberglass particles are rarely seen to the levels of cellulose.
Lab report of analysis
of debris contributing
to poor IAQ in home.
“25% Cellulose Fibers”
Future Tests will seek
presence of Boric Acid
and other cellulose
insulation identifiers
Cellulose Insulation
and
Mold Formation in Buildings
Moisture
+ Food (Digestible Material)
+ Heat
Mold
Regardless of the building material
However….
Moisture is caused by:
Water leaks & Condensation
Any home utilizing any building material will be susceptible to mold
formation in the event of a water leak caused by building envelope
(roofing) failures or leaking or burst pipes.
Condensation however is often caused by the method in which a
building is insulated. Air gaps and voids within wall cavities leads to
enhanced heat loss and condensation within wall cavities leading to
mold growth.
One study has shown that cellulose insulation will settle
over time as much as 16 to 21 percent.
Installation Error or Product
Settling?
It depends on who you ask…
Cellulose more susceptible
to Moisture Problems than Fiberglass
Shrinkage & Settlement
Lower R Value
Air Gaps & Voids
Mold formation
Before and After Test of equal masses of
fiberglass and cellulose insulation after
contact with equal volumes of water.
Shrinkage was extensive in cellulose
after contact with moisture.
Cellulose Insulation
and Fire Propagation Observations
Cellulose Insulation in contact with metal chimney fire,
Cape Cod MA
Cellulose Insulation was in contact with the
metal zero clearance chimney flu and had
been installed the day of the fire.
The point of ignition was identified as cellulose insulation that was in contact with the
metalbestos II zero clearance chimney flue. The insulating contractors mistakenly
allowed the cellulose to fill the area around the chimney metal flue.
The cellulose that ignited was new the day of the fire. The chimney had been used for years
prior. Clearly, the addition of the insulation caused the fire regardless of manufacturers
claims of inflammability. This is one of three fires ISE has investigated of this type.
In this fire, spilling of the cellulose
into the airspace of the chimney
chase-way caused the cellulose to
char and for heat to build up
between the insulation and chase
way framing eventually igniting the
framing and plywood.
“Missing The Target”
Major Contributing Factor in Cellulose Insulation Related Fires
Cellulose being placed in areas of an ignition heat source
Messy
Difficult to Control
Difficult to fully contain without movement
What if the chimney was in contact with
fiberglass blown in insulation and not
cellulose blown in insulation?
Would the fire have still occurred?
Cellulose
Insulation
Owens Corning
Fiberglass Insulation
Side by Side Hot Surface Test (As Per ASTM Standard) compared
conductive heat effects of Cellulose and Fiberglass Insulation. This
mode of heat transfer has been identified in fires our firm has
investigated involving cellulose insulation.
Ignition Quality Comparison
Flash Point Cellulose > 550F
Flash Point Fiberglass… Does Not Exist
Heat Release Ratio (HRR) – The rate of which heat energy is generated by
burning.
As this basic hot surface test shows, The property of the insulation’s Heat Release Ratio (HRR)
caused the cellulose to consume itself, since it’s mass, when ignited released heat. This added to
the process of it’s combustion and in turn, generated more heat. This heat could (and has) ignited
building structural components.
The Fiberglass however contained no combustible material and even as it melted due to contact
with the hot surface created a dense layer that had more resistance to conduction. The latent heat
of fusion property of melting the fiberglass absorbed heat as opposed to producing heat, lowering
the Heat Release Ratio.
Forensic Engineering and Fire Investigation
Published Documents addressing
Age Related Degradation and Flammability of
Cellulose Insulation
Forensic Engineering and Fire Investigation
Publications and references to
Cellulose Insulation and Fires
The Ignition Handbook - Vytenis Babrauskas, Ph.D
Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation (Protocols in Forensic Science)
- John J. Lentini
“A Field Study of the Fire Resistance Characteristics of Aged Loose-Fill Insulations:
An Update” T.J. Dowds, L.J. Infante and E. Pentz, (Certainteed Corporation)
Journal of Thermal Insulation Volume 15 July 1991
Fire Findings – Special Report Nathan Dwyer, Volume 15, No. 4 Cellulose Insulation Tests
Forensic Engineering/Fire Investigation references to Cellulose Insulation Fires
The Ignition Handbook - Vytenis Babrauskas, Ph.D
Cited several studies that found that aged in place insulation,
when tested, failed present day flamability tests. Also notes an
NIST study that stated the effectiviness of flame retardent is
reduced by settling, subliming,or moisture.
Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation (Protocols in
Forensic Science)
- John J. Lentini
Case study where a doorbell transformer buried in cellulose
insulation shorted and started a fire. Goes on to state that
contributing factor may have been a prior roof leak that wetted
cellulose insulation making it more prone to igniting later on.
“A Field Study of the Fire Resistance Characteristics of
Aged Loose-Fill Insulations: An Update” T.J. Dowds,
L.J. Infante and E. Pentz, (Certainteed Corporation)
Journal of Thermal Insulation Volume 15 July 1991
Concluded that fiberglass and rockwool samples easily met the
smoldering and critical radiant flux and flaming requirements of
the testing.
Concluded that of 23 cellulose samples tested, 15 (65%) failed
smoldering tests while 53% failed critical radiant flux tests.
Only 17% passed both tests
Fire Findings – Special Report Nathan Dwyer, Volume 15,
No. 4 Cellulose Insulation Tests
Fire Investigation Forum that addresses particular fire cause
issues. Performed several tests of cellulose insulation ignition
properties with modified ASTM testing procedures.
Attempted to create accelerated aged cellulose for testing.
Concluded that thermal aging did effect cellulose insulation
performance
Working together, a common theme!
Poor placement of cellulose and qualities of Cellulose Insulation as well
as possible degradation of fire retardant capabilities work together to
enhance possibility of building fires
Fire!
Difficulty in pinpoint
application of cellulose
blown in insulation allowing
flow into potential ignition
sources
Reported
degradation of fire
resistant qualities
over time
Industry reports From Cellulose Insulation
Manufacturers are very prevalent!
Pro Cellulose Insulation Publications
CIMA Special Report No. 1
“The Truth about Cellulose Insulation and Fire
Proposed independent field study of
Cellulose Installations and properties
From the forensic engineering perspective
Seek additional real life data regarding Cellulose
Insulation Related Fires from outside sources within
the Fire Investigation and Forensic Engineering
Community
National Academy of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Independent Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
National Law Firms dealing with fire litigation
National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)
International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science & Technology
IDENTIFY SPECIFIC CAUSES AND PROGREESSION OF FIRE
Independent Analysis of Cellulose Insulation in:
Existing Homes
Accelerated Aged Insulation
Cellulose
Insulation
Existing Samples from
various homes
New Cellulose subjected
to simulated aging by
long term low heat
application
Random Sampling of Existing Cellulose Insulation
Through ISE’s normal course of business in investigating building
problems with IAQ or mold issues, random samples can be
obtained.
Requests for samples can also be solicited.
Identify
-Age of Home
-Age of Insulation
-Location of Sample
-Properties of sample (chemical additive) and chemical content.
Conditions of Installation (Settling etc.. Infrared Imaging study)
Fire Resistance Testing
A) Perform basic tests for ignition capability such as Cigarette Ignition,
Hot Surface, Radiant Heat and High Resistance
Random Sampling of New Cellulose Insulation
Identify
Chemical Content for comparison to listed materials
Extend aging simulation
Prepare in oven however exceed aging length
as set forth by Dwyer’s testing.
Report on findings
Consider submitting technical paper to appropriate publication
depending on results of study
Simplified and modified tests demonstrating insulation’s fire resistance
capability in various modes of heat transfer
Cigarette Ignition
Test
Hot Surface
Test
Radiant Heat High Resistance
Test
Connection Test
As part of ASTM C739, this
test determines insulations
ability to be lit by a
cigarette
Examine
differences when
exposed to hot
surfaces such as
a chimney flue
Examine
differences when
exposed to a
radiant heat
source
Examine performance
when exposed to direct
contact with a high
resistance connection
Perform tests with actual aged cellulose insulation and also with
accelerated aged insulation.
Consider thicknesses and geometric shapes of test samples outside of
established test procedures.
Established ASTM and other tests should be recognized however
independent testing should also consider real life conditions that are not
represented by existing testing procedures that could or have lead to fires.
Existing ASTM Tests for Cellulose Insulation Testing
ASTM C739 - 08 Standard Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation
ASTM E84 - 09b Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E970 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy
Source
C1363 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a
Hot Box Apparatus
B152/B152M Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Rolled Bar
C1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Properties Under Steady-State Conditions
C1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater
Apparatus
C1338 Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of Insulation Materials and Facings
C1374 Test Method for Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building
Insulation
C1485 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using an Electric Radiant Heat
Energy Source
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means
of the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter
Apparatus
C687 Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building Insulation
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ASTM C739 - 08 Standard Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
Insulation
Abstract
This specification covers the composition and physical requirements of
chemically treated, recycled cellulosic fiber loose-fill type thermal insulation for
installation in attics or enclosed spaces in housing and other buildings by
pneumatic or pouring method. While the products are used in various
constructions, they are adaptable primarily, but not exclusively, to wood joists,
rafters, and stud constructions. The basic material shall be made from
selected paper, paperboard stock, or ground wood stock, excluding
contaminated materials, which may reasonably be expected to be retained in
the finished product. Suitable chemicals are introduced to provide properties
such as flame resistance, processing, and handling characteristics.
Products shall be prepared suitably to undergo test methods, for which they
should comply with the following physical and chemical property requirements:
corrosiveness;
critical radiant flux; fungi resistance; moisture vapor sorption; odor emission;
smoldering combustion; and thermal resistance.
Fire Investigation Publications
regarding fires involving Cellulose
Building Insulation
This publication contained
substantially more technical
information that was omitted
from presentation.