FIRE SAFE OR NOT?🔥
This is probably the most common myth about foam plastic, which is spread in the market of thermal insulation materials by competitors. Let’s destroy another myth about EPS together!
Styrofoam does have the ability to burn, but its self-burning time does not exceed 4 seconds, if there is no additional source of fire. Modern expanded polystyrene EPS contains flame retardant additives, which ensure its self-extinguishing and fire resistance.
The legend that styrofoam is fire-hazardous has its roots in Soviet times, when the quality and production technology of styrofoam differed significantly from modern standards. Today’s Styrofoam is a high-quality, self-extinguishing material that does not spread flames. On the contrary, it is the most common thermal insulation material in Europe, especially in ETICS facade systems.
It is important to note that many studies and tests have already proven the fire safety of EPS foam. This material is classified by the group of flammability as a material of group G1 according to DSTU 8829:2019 and as a class E material according to the class of reaction to fire according to DSTU EN 13501-1.
The reaction to fire of EPS foam is best evaluated not as a single product, but as a whole system, as is done in Europe. EPS foam in ETICS facade systems demonstrates excellent behavior, which is confirmed by numerical tests. ETICS systems with EPS polystyrene according to EN 13501-1 are classified not lower than the reaction to fire class – B-s1, d0, which confirms their high level of fire safety. Systems of this class have practically no restrictions for use in Europe.
Fire safety testing of EPS foamed polystyrene by the Association of Polystyrene Manufacturers of Lithuania: ETICS su EPS natūriniai degumo bandymai prisilaikant DIN4102-20 standarto prēšanas – PPA (epsa.lt)
It’s time to discard outdated stereotypes about Styrofoam. Polystyrene EPS is a modern, effective and safe material for construction!
