Has anyone ever seen this???

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

I did this one today and was totally amazed at what I found in the attic.These are molded Styrofoam sections. They were probably available to this homeowner and he/she decided to use them in place of proper insulation.

A'm I wrong in assuming that this is wrong?
I would appreciate some feedback.


Thanking you in advance.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

These are molded Styrofoam sections. They were probably available to this homeowner and he/she decided to use them in place of proper insulation.

That looks like what they did.

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

I'm I wrong in assuming that this is wrong?

No, you are right, this is wrong.

Don't forget the venting.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Larry

I will not forget the vent. It is from the second floor bathroom.

I did some quick research into this and found a ton of evidence against the use of Polystyrene.

http://www.comfortncolor.com/HTML/Prevention.html

[Barry Adair]

Here's how they insulate the attics in Arkansas around the chicken farms.

Not really that uncommon. People are resourceful when it's free and don't know or disregard the consequences.

I'll try and find the photo of almost 2' of packing peanuts for insulation.

[Kenneth Lott]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

I did this one today and was totally amazed at what I found in the attic.These are molded Styrofoam sections. They were probably available to this homeowner and he/she decided to use them in place of proper insulation.

A'm I wrong in assuming that this is wrong?
I would appreciate some feedback.


Thanking you in advance.

Looks like packaging materials, someone is trying to be resourceful.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Barry

And I thought [to my inspection]this was unique!!

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by klott

Looks like packaging materials, someone is trying to be resourceful.

Ken

It is one thing to be resourcefull and another to potentially put your family at risk!!

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

I did this one today and was totally amazed at what I found in the attic.These are molded Styrofoam sections. They were probably available to this homeowner and he/she decided to use them in place of proper insulation.

A'm I wrong in assuming that this is wrong?
I would appreciate some feedback.


Thanking you in advance.

Mario:

I have a few (4,5,6) under 14 or so inches of fiberglass and blown cellulose in my attic now. I'm so Scottish and green I couldn't throw them out and they are good insulation!!! Remember in the winter of 05/06, my paid-for heat for about 2600 finished sq ft was about $280. Haven't accurately calculated last years yet but it is under $450.......and this is a house with 2x4 walls.....but with 1" polyisocyanurate foam board instead of wood sheathing, regular windows, an air exchanger (0% heat recovery) operating 24/7 and is looser than an R2000 house.

Don't see any real problem with using them except they're not that efficient as is. Rather than throw them out (not green), I would airseal where necessary and then blow about R40 cellulose over them and forget'em. Doesn't sound very professional but neither did public composting, re-cycl;ing and organic food in 1968.

The concern about styrene is in food trays, foam cups and other iotems of styrene used in food storage and delivery. If styrene is so bad why is it used for Dow SM, Protec, Celfort, Trufoam, Thermalite and may other foam boards???

[Barry Adair]

Not very scientific I'll admit

I don't know about Mario's or your foam, Brian but the egg carton stuff is highly flammable and the off gassing and soot particulate from this small piece was enough to convince me that usage of these materials unless tested and approved should be called out until proven differently.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

It is no good, The attic is considered a confined space and unless that stuff has a flame spread rating acceptable (it don't) and is so rated and marked for this installation it is a violation of code. Also if this place ever does catch on fire the noxious fumes and dripping hot residues falling from the ceiling just might be a problem for the occupants and others trying to save them. Recycle old stuff by turning it in for recycling. Homeowners who get inventive like this are the reason buyer's hire us.

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

Barry

And I thought [my inspection]this was unique!!

it is for north of the GREAT 48

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

It is no good, The attic is considered a confined space and unless that stuff has a flame spread rating acceptable (it don't) and is so rated and marked for this installation it is a violation of code. Also if this place ever does catch on fire the noxious fumes and dripping hot residues falling from the ceiling just might be a problem for the occupants and others trying to save them. Recycle old stuff by turning it in for recycling. Homeowners who get inventive like this are the reason buyer's hire us.

Brian

I totally agree with you!!

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

Mario:

I have a few (4,5,6) under 14 or so inches of fiberglass and blown cellulose in my attic now. I'm so Scottish and green I couldn't throw them out and they are good insulation!!! Remember in the winter of 05/06, my paid-for heat for about 2600 finished sq ft was about $280. Haven't accurately calculated last years yet but it is under $450.......and this is a house with 2x4 walls.....but with 1" polyisocyanurate foam board instead of wood sheathing, regular windows, an air exchanger (0% heat recovery) operating 24/7 and is looser than an R2000 house.

Don't see any real problem with using them except they're not that efficient as is. Rather than throw them out (not green), I would airseal where necessary and then blow about R40 cellulose over them and forget'em. Doesn't sound very professional but neither did public composting, re-cycl;ing and organic food in 1968.

The concern about styrene is in food trays, foam cups and other iotems of styrene used in food storage and delivery. If styrene is so bad why is it used for Dow SM, Protec, Celfort, Trufoam, Thermalite and may other foam boards???

Brian

My concerns were answered by Brian H.

Polystyrene (Styrofoam) releases styrene and Benzene,a carcinogen. When burned,dioxins and chlorinated furans are formed which are also carcinogenic.

Given this information would you have this in your attic?

Our Ontario Building Code states that Styrofoam should be covered with Drywall or similar wall covering. It addresses this issue.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

Mario:

I have a few (4,5,6) under 14 or so inches of fiberglass and blown cellulose in my attic now. I'm so Scottish and green I couldn't throw them out and they are good insulation!!! Remember in the winter of 05/06, my paid-for heat for about 2600 finished sq ft was about $280. Haven't accurately calculated last years yet but it is under $450.......and this is a house with 2x4 walls.....but with 1" polyisocyanurate foam board instead of wood sheathing, regular windows, an air exchanger (0% heat recovery) operating 24/7 and is looser than an R2000 house.

Don't see any real problem with using them except they're not that efficient as is. Rather than throw them out (not green), I would airseal where necessary and then blow about R40 cellulose over them and forget'em. Doesn't sound very professional but neither did public composting, re-cycl;ing and organic food in 1968.

The concern about styrene is in food trays, foam cups and other iotems of styrene used in food storage and delivery. If styrene is so bad why is it used for Dow SM, Protec, Celfort, Trufoam, Thermalite and may other foam boards???

Please don't post things which justify improper, illegal construction practices. We never know which of us with less experience may be viewing and think your post has a definitive answer and runs with it, leading to a lawsuit. Unless the products we observe are familiar to the inspector it's time to step back, think, conduct a little research and maybe learn something before the toungue starts a waggin. Because materials can be drastically altered by a few chemical additives the prescence of a particular compound in their structure is inconsequential and not a determinating factor. The products which are listed for applications have been TESTED and proven satisfactory. If not rated for the application they should not be utilized. Cellulose fiber insulation is a good example of how chemical treatments can turn a highly flammable substance into a safe product. Mario I just edited this to let you know we were both typing at the same time.

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

Please don't post things which justify improper, illegal construction practices. We never know which of us with less experience may be viewing and think your post has a definitive answer and runs with it, leading to a lawsuit. Unless the products we observe are familiar to the inspector it's time to step back, think, conduct a little research and maybe learn something before the toungue starts a waggin. Because materials can be drastically altered by a few chemical additives the prescence of a particular compound in their structure is inconsequential and not a determinating factor. The products which are listed for applications have been TESTED and proven satisfactory. If not rated for the application they should not be utilized. Cellulose fiber insulation is a good example of how chemical treatments can turn a highly flammable substance into a safe product. Mario I just edited this to let you know we were both typing at the same time.

Gee I would love more information on this where did you find out it is improper and illegal.
I have for years recommening to people that they gasket and put 6 inches of foam on their attic entrance door .

...... Cookie