Blown-in Insulation

drb9

Can anyone help identify this insulation material that is blow into the walls? (I've tried to attach a picture, first time, so hopefully I've done it right.) Is this a certain brand? Is it fiberglass or cellulose?

It looks like there are bits of paper in otherwise manila-colored paper. I can still make out some of the print on the white paper pieces.

Any help?

Attached Thumbnails

 

SLSTech

Cellulose

Per Wikipedia
"While in 1976 there were roughly 100 cellulose insulation firms with 125 plants, by 1978 there were more than 350 firms with more than 500 plants1. Cellulose insulation was produced locally by small manufacturers who purchased ready-to-operate machines and offered a cheap and easy low-tech production process. Other than some constraints created by a shortage of boric acid for use as fire retardant, cellulose captured an increased share of the market due to lower costs and its suitability for retrofits. Meanwhile fiberglass and rockwool producers found it difficult to keep up with the demand for insulation from their customers.

Due to complaints by retailers, contractors and consumers about price, safety and quality control problems, the federal government began enacting insulation standards beginning in 1978. There was a great concern that the growth in cellulose manufactures was leading to improperly or insufficiently treating insulation against the threat of fire even though reliable statistics on a national basis did not exist. This led to the Federal Consumer Products Safety Commission passing 16 CFR Part 1209, which sets safety standards covering four product attributes for cellulose insulation only: settled density, corrosiveness, critical radiant flux and smoldering combustion. Another regulation passed was the “R-value Rule,” placing clear limitations on the claims that manufacturing and marketing firms can make about their product.

The effect of regulations by the CPSC put most of the small producers of cellulose insulation out of business. The costs incurred by increasing fire testing made cellulose more expensive and the bad publicity helped decrease demand. They were either unable to meet the testing requirements or they merged with other small manufacturers. In 1985 the CPSC asked Congress to repeal the flammability standard after further studies. By 1991 only 61 cellulose producers still remained in the US."

So it was probably made by 1 of those 350 plus companies - there's no inspected bv stickers in there?

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drb9

Just to clarify--this stuff was blown in recently! In the past couple months.

I thought modern cellulose was gray, because it was treated for fire retardancy.

joasis

I really am curious about your stated occupation, "general", like meaning general contractor? Questions like this and your other posts indicate lack of subject knowledge, especially for anyone claiming to be a general contractor.

BTW, the color of the cellulose indicates that is "wall mat", or intended to be blown in a wall with or without glue in the water. Gray is typically loose fill for attics. Color has nothing to do with the fire retardant treatment.

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drb9

Jeez. For what it's worth, I've seen more basic questions on here. I search the archives pretty thoroughly for answers to questions I have before I post. I am at the very beginning of things, tagging along with someone more experienced, but not wanting to ask lots of questions. I hesitate to post many questions here, given where I am in the profession. (Only 9 posts in the 4 months I've been registered.) Some day, I might be on my own, though with the uncertainty in the economy, and the more established contractors likely to do better than newbies, maybe not for a while. If I'm not welcome here, I can leave, but I really appreciate the give and take here, and hope that soon I can give more and take less.

joasis

No problem, if you are in the trade, you are more then welcome. The larger point in this: Everyone has to start somewhere, and learning is a lifelong process. That said, what you must mean by "general" is not was our profession means by general, as in general contractor. You must mean you are in "general" construction work, although that isn't really a field.

A general contractor usually has the experience, or lacking this, calls the experience in.

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Ivinni

Taking things a little too seriously are we?

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sawyerEd

Good picture. Looks like a mixture of chopped glass fiber and recycled paper product. Doesn't look like any asbestos that i've seen. Why do you ask? Does the HO want you to do something with it?

parts

Bags of gray cellulose get that color also if left in the sun too long. Had a few in the back of my pick up last summer all brown on the outside