Warning: cheap spray foam insulation got me a call from the fire marshal

I tried to save a few bucks last fall and used the grocery store brand foam in my basement rim joists. The stuff dripped everywhere and I didn't wait long enough before trimming it. Next thing I know I got a warning from the town because it wasn't fire rated and they spotted it during a gas line inspection. The can was maybe $8 but the fine and redo cost me close to $400. Anyone else run into issues with the cheap stuff catching fire codes wrong?

3 comments

3 Comments

garcia.wren1d ago

My buddy did the exact same thing in his garage last year. He figured it was just foam, what could go wrong. Ended up with the fire inspector flagging it during a routine inspection on his new water heater. Cost him almost $500 to have it all scraped off and redone with the rated stuff.

joseph_green131d ago

Grocery store brand foam in my basement rim joists" is exactly where we're at as a society now. Honestly, that fine was probably cheaper than what you would have paid for the right stuff plus a pro to install it. I've used bargain foam for years in my shed and a crawlspace with zero issues. Fire codes are written by people who sell expensive foam, plain and simple. If you're not sleeping right on top of it, a little exposed foam isn't going to turn your house into a bonfire.

joseph_green131d ago

Fire codes are written by people who sell expensive foam" is kind of a stretch but I get the frustration. The real issue nobody talks about is the offgassing from the cheap stuff, it can actually make your indoor air quality nasty for months after installation. Even if the fire marshal never shows up, that headache and chemical smell might be the bigger hidden cost.