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THERMAFIBER®Safing Insulation is a mineral-wool-type insulation that resists temperatures up to
2,000 °F (1,093 °C), thus offering superior fire protection in a wide variety of fire-rated applications. It is
a UL- and OPL-labeled product especially intended for tested UL and OPL Designs, as well as many other
fire- and smoke-tested assemblies. This product is noncombustible per Standard NFPA 220 when tested
in accordance with ASTM E 136, and moisture-resistant, noncorrosive, nondeteriorating, mildew-proof
and vermin-proof. It permits dry construction for all-year-round work. Also, THERMAFIBER Safing
Insulation is available plain, or with scrim-reinforced foil facing (FSP) that serves as a vapor retarder
and/or smoke barrier.
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation is compatible with both THERMAFIBER®Curtain Wall CW Insulations and
THERMAFIBER FIRESPAN™Insulations.
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation is a key element in a wide variety of fire-tested construction assemblies.
It is used with THERMAFIBER Curtain Wall and FIRESPAN Insulations in applications to contain both fire
and smoke to the area of origin. Especially for mid- and high-rise buildings, where fire and smoke must
be prevented from spreading to the next floor. Since the floor assembly is typically fire-rated, one route
for the fire spread is through and up the exterior curtain wall system. THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation is
also used in conjunction with various sealants and caulks, in wall and floor penetration (poke-through)
applications, head-of-wall construction joints, and other construction joints.
It is important to note that one of the most valuable yet misunderstood applications of
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation is its use in exterior curtain wall assemblies to safe-off the opening
between concrete floor slabs and the curtain wall assemblies. Many people still believe the myth that all
thermal insulations are the same when used in the curtain wall spandrel panels as long as
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation is used in the assembly. This is simply not true. Actual fire tests have
proven that low-melt-point insulations, such as glass fiber types, will disintegrate quickly once exposed
to fire, leaving the curtain wall unprotected. Then, as the now-unprotected curtain wall disintegrates or
falls away, the safing insulation will no longer be supported, and the fire will spread to the floor(s) above.
Effective perimeter fire containment can only be achieved when a fire-compatible product with the ability
to resist high temperatures (such as THERMAFIBER Curtain Wall Insulations or THERMAFIBER
FIRESPAN Insulations) is used in conjunction with the THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation, acting together as
a system. (See TF685, TF686 and TF871 for additional information).
In curtain wall fire-containment applications, THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation fills the void between the
slab edge and the curtain wall insulation to contain fire. Foil-faced insulation impedes the passage of
smoke and noxious gases. Install THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation, of proper width (2" to 8" max.
opening), compression fit in safe-off area (foil side up, if required) between THERMAFIBER FIRESPAN or
CW Curtain Wall Insulation and floor slabs, on safing "Z" clips spaced as required in the design (24" or
12" o.c. maximum), leaving no voids. Compression fitting the safing insulation is critical to assuring a
tight seal. See specific test description for proper installation details. Install proper topping material,
such as THERMAFIBER SMOKE SEAL Compound, or other approved smoke sealants as indicated in the spe-
cific test description or architectural specification.
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation provides a noncombustible, fire-resistant forming/packing material for
many types of penetrations in walls and floor/ceilings. In all poke-through penetrations, clean substrate
of dirt, dust, grease, oil, efflorescence, loose material or other matter. With a serrated knife, cut
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation slightly wider than the opening. Compress and tightly fit the minimum
thickness and density of insulation required (per system specification) completely around penetrant. For
floor slab openings, compress or install THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation according to details indicated in
the specific test description or architectural specification to seal completely around cables, ducts, piping
or other utilities.
THERMAFIBER Safing Insulation is also used as a forming material in head-of-wall, floor to floor, floor to
wall, and wall to wall construction joints. It is compressed and slid into joint openings to completely fill
the gap between the intersection of the walls, floor, etc.
THERMAFIBER
®SafingInsulation
UL- and OPL-labeled* safing insulation for firestops and fire-containment systems
•Firestop product for curtain wall fire and smoke containment systems, floor and wall penetrations,
head-of-wall, and other construction joint systems.
•Fire resistant and noncombustible.
•Economical; installs quickly and easily.
•Aids sound control in many assemblies.
•Available in unfaced felt (plain) or with a tough scrim-reinforced foil facing (FSP).
•Durable; nondeteriorating and noncorrosive.
Description
Perimeter Fire Containment,
Penetrations and Construction Joints
Installation
Perimeter Installation
Penetration Application
Construction Joint
Application
*UL is an abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; OPL is an abbreviation for Omega Point Laboratories, Inc.
Submittal Sheet
07840