Good evening.

Two of my lofts (it's a funny house) are insulated with what
looks like old newspaper, kind of macerated or pulped to
make something vaguely like vermiculite. But fluffier.

I did a flammability test in the living room grate, and found
that it does burn, rather slowly (i.e. not vigorously like
ordinary paper), but then again, it did not refuse to burn
either.

Can anyone tell me if this stuff is safe? My guess is not,
and I should take it all out and replace it with something
else. But if anyone can give me an informed opinion,
I will be grateful.

-David Pearson
(a bit worried in Taunton)

David Pearson wrote:

> Two of my lofts (it's a funny house) are insulated with what
> looks like old newspaper, kind of macerated or pulped to
> make something vaguely like vermiculite. But fluffier.
> I did a flammability test in the living room grate, and found
> that it does burn, rather slowly (i.e. not vigorously like
> ordinary paper), but then again, it did not refuse to burn
> either.
> Can anyone tell me if this stuff is safe? My guess is not,
> and I should take it all out and replace it with something
> else. But if anyone can give me an informed opinion,
> I will be grateful.


It's probably reasonably safe. It should be very unlikely to be at the 
source of a fire anyway, and if there's a fire anywhere else in the 
house you should have got out (thanks to your smoke detectors) long 
before the flames reach the loft.

I'd be more worried if you had stuff like that under the stairs which 
form your means of escape.

Owain

"David Pearson" <spam.lords@go.tickle.yourselves> wrote in message
news:d6o1vd$spt$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...

> Good evening.
>
> Two of my lofts (it's a funny house) are insulated with what
> looks like old newspaper, kind of macerated or pulped to
> make something vaguely like vermiculite. But fluffier.
>
> I did a flammability test in the living room grate, and found
> that it does burn, rather slowly (i.e. not vigorously like
> ordinary paper), but then again, it did not refuse to burn
> either.
>
> Can anyone tell me if this stuff is safe? My guess is not,
> and I should take it all out and replace it with something
> else. But if anyone can give me an informed opinion,
> I will be grateful.


If it's Bitvent,which is the only pulped paper insulation I know, it should
burn for a few seconds then extinguish the fire itself with the fumes.
However from your description it may not be this.  I would suggest you look
up Bitvent's address on the web and send them a sample to confirm if it is
their product or not.




>
>
>

"Owain"  wrote in message 
news:1116712687.92590.1@dyke.uk.clara.net...


> David Pearson wrote:
>> (snip)
>> Can anyone tell me if this stuff is safe? (snip)

> It's probably reasonably safe. It should be very unlikely to be at the 
> source of a fire anyway, and if there's a fire anywhere else in the house 
> you should have got out (thanks to your smoke detectors) long before the 
> flames reach the loft.


Well, cables and junction boxes could form a source
of ignition in the roof space.



> I'd be more worried if you had stuff like that under the stairs which form 
> your means of escape.


Good point, I do have some boxes etc. under the stairs.
I should put smoke detectors in those cupboards.


Thanks Owain,
David P.

"Mike"  wrote in message 
news:d6odrg$j3q$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...

> If it's Bitvent,which is the only pulped paper insulation I know, it 
> should
> burn for a few seconds then extinguish the fire itself with the fumes.
> However from your description it may not be this.  I would suggest you 
> look
> up Bitvent's address on the web and send them a sample to confirm if it is
> their product or not.


Good idea, thanks Mike.

-David P.

Owain wrote:

> David Pearson wrote:
> > Two of my lofts (it's a funny house) are insulated with what
> > looks like old newspaper, kind of macerated or pulped to
> > make something vaguely like vermiculite. But fluffier.
> > I did a flammability test in the living room grate, and found
> > that it does burn, rather slowly (i.e. not vigorously like
> > ordinary paper), but then again, it did not refuse to burn
> > either.
> > Can anyone tell me if this stuff is safe? My guess is not,
> > and I should take it all out and replace it with something
> > else. But if anyone can give me an informed opinion,
> > I will be grateful.
>
> It's probably reasonably safe. It should be very unlikely to be at
the
> source of a fire anyway, and if there's a fire anywhere else in the
> house you should have got out (thanks to your smoke detectors) long
> before the flames reach the loft.
>
> I'd be more worried if you had stuff like that under the stairs which

> form your means of escape.
> 
> Owain


keep it clear of recessed ceiling lights.

NT

David Pearson wrote:

>>It's probably reasonably safe. It should be very unlikely to be at the 
>>source of a fire anyway, 
> Well, cables and junction boxes could form a source
> of ignition in the roof space.


Possibly, but statistically unlikely compared to the major causes of 
fire i.e. smoking, chip pans, candles.


>>I'd be more worried if you had stuff like that under the stairs which form 
>>your means of escape.
> Good point, I do have some boxes etc. under the stairs.
> I should put smoke detectors in those cupboards.


No, move the boxes :-) Especially if your consumer unit is there, and 
double especially if you have rewirable fuses. (Although if you have 
rewirable fuses maybe the wiring in your loft is manky enough to be a 
source of ignition...)

Owain