Maurice Beinat, the Chief Technical Officer at ecoMaster addresses concerns about the compression, water and fire rating of polyester insulation by putting their product to the test.
The video of the test, which can be accessed online, shows how polyester insulation can hold up against water, flame, tearing and compression. These tests should settle the question about the most durable and safest insulation option for homes.
What is the fire rating of polyester insulation?
Selling insulation that can carry a flame is illegal in Australia. ecoMaster’s polyester insulation will not catch fire, being compliant with the ISO 9705 standard. The tests also measure smoke, which is the main cause of casualties in a fire event.
ecoMaster’s polyester rates below the maximum 100 as required for buildings without sprinklers (which have the strictest regulation AS ISO 9705 – 2003).
Test results
Australian Group Number: Group 1; SMOGRARC: is less than 100m²/s²; Report Number: FAR4045; AS1530.3; Ignitability Index (0-20) 0; Heat Evolved Index (0-10) 0; Spread of Flame Index (0-10) 0; and Smoke Developed Index (0-10) 3
This insulation is acceptable for use in passenger rail cars that carry passengers and travel through underground tunnels.
Polyester insulation and water damage
If polyester insulation becomes wet from a water spill inside the home, the water will pass through the insulation and wick away. There is no risk of the insulation holding moisture against the timber joists or floorboards. Even after it gets wet, polyester insulation will retain its loft (thickness) and remain in its original condition.
How does polyester insulation cope under pressure?
Polyester insulation always springs back into shape unlike conventional types of insulation. If the insulation remains squashed, it’s time to revisit your choice.
Watch in this video, how ecoMaster’s Chief Technical Officer, Maurice Beinat, puts polyester insulation to the test.
