Building Insulation

Question 1

best insulation

Answer 1

vacuum

Question 2

2nd best insulation

Answer 2

motionless air

Question 3

sizing of air pockets

Answer 3

small enough to prevent convection,

large enough to prevent conduction.

Question 4

conductivity vs conductance

Answer 4

conductivity is per 1” of material,

Question 5

LTTR (long term thermal resistance)

Answer 5

r-value of closed cell foam measured after storage 5yrs under lab conditions.

(equivalent to 15yr service condition)

Question 6

thermal drift:

Answer 6

diffusion of air into foam cells,

and diffusion of blowing agents out of the cells.

Question 7

loose-fill insulation:

Answer 7

shreds, granules, nodules,

poured or blown.

Question 8

loose-fill insulation req’s:

Answer 8

vapor barrier/retarder.

Question 9

loose-fill insulation uses:

Answer 9

spaces difficult to install,

ex. cells of concrete block, plumbing chases, attics, retrofit spaces.

Question 10

types of loose-fill insulation::
settles 2-4%,
fibrous mat’l formed blowing molten basalt rock under pressure

Answer 10

rock wool

Question 11

types of loose-fill insulation::
settles 2-4%,
fibrous mat’l formed blowing molten blast furnace slag under pressure

Answer 11

slag wool

Question 12

both rock wool and slag wool produces from sources that would be :

Answer 12

wasted

Question 13

types of loose-fill insulation::
settles 20%,
shredded wastepaper or wood fibers.

Answer 13

cellulose

Question 14

cellulose is combustible, but chemicals make resistant to:

Answer 14

fire/fungus/rodents.

Question 15

types of loose-fill insulation:
>75% recycled materials.
less energy to produce than others.

Answer 15

cellulose

Question 16

types of loose-fill insulation:
produced by spinning molten glass into fibers.
20-30% recycled.

Answer 16

fiberglass

Question 17

types of loose-fill insulation:

volcanic rock expanded by heating.

Answer 17

perlite

Question 18

types of loose-fill insulation:

hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminium-iron silicate.

Answer 18

vermiculite

Question 19

types of loose-fill insulation: process: heated, forms small worm-like pieces.

Answer 19

vermiculite

Question 20

types of loose-fill insulation: may contain asbestos.

Answer 20

vermiculite

Question 21

too thick / heavy a load of loose-fill insulation can cause

Answer 21

ceiling drywall to sag

ex. cellulose/rock wool not recommended @ ½” wallboard 24” oc.