Insulation and Interior Inspection Section#1 Insulation and Ventilation Quiz#5

This study session covers common insulation materials and their characteristics. The estimated completion time for this study session is sixty minutes. Objectives At the end of this study session, you should be able to: Describe in one sentence the function of insulation. List eight characteristics of an ideal insulation material. Define in one sentence thermal bridges. Explain in two sentences the effect of convective hoops and voids in insulation on R-values. Describe in one sentence wind washing. List four common forms of insulation materials. List eight common insulation materials. List the forms that each of the eight materials are commonly found in. List one, two or three advantages and disadvantages of each of the various insulation materials. Describe in five sentences the issues surrounding urea formaldehyde foam insulation.

• Question 1

  Needs Grading

  	Define thermal bridges.
  	Selected Answer: Solid, high-density materials like wood studs conduct heat readily through walls. Thermal bridges occur at studs, top plates, sill and etc, where the insulation is not continuous.  Correct Answer:   Points where insulation is not continuous, allowing heat to leak out. Wood wall studs form thermal bridges, for example. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 2

  Needs Grading

  	How do convective loops and insulation voids affect R-values?
  	Selected Answer: Convective loops can be established if insulation doesn't completely fill stud cavities. Voids can allow a great deal of heat through the wall.  Correct Answer:   If there are gaps in the insulation, convective loops can allow air to move freely through the wall cavity, lowering the R-value. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 3

  Needs Grading

  	How is urea formaldehyde foam insulation installed? Why is it controversial?
  	Selected Answer: It was typically injected as a mixture of urea formaldehyde resin, an acidic foaming agent, and a propellant such as air. The foam was machine-mixed on-site and injected into wall cavities, where it expanded to fill the cavities.  Poorly mixed, half-foamed UFFI is found in a extremely air-tight and poorly ventilated mobile home.  Correct Answer: 1. Installed as a resin with an acid foaming agent, and air as a propellant. Used primarily in existing buildings 2. Controversial because the formaldehyde gas released during installation and curing was said to have long term health implications, although it was never proven Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 4

  Needs Grading

  	List 10 common insulation materials. For each material, name the form that it comes in, and list at least two advantages/disadvantages. (Hint: vermiculite and perlite only count as one. There are two types of polystyrene.)
  	Selected Answer: 1. Fiberglass.  2. Mineral Wool 3. Cellulose 4. Vermiculite or perlite 5. Polystyrene 6. Phenolic Board 7. Polyurethane and Isocyanurate Boards 8. Foamed-in-place Polyurethane 9. Foamed-in-place Polyisocyanate 10. Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) Correct Answer: Fibreglass: Loose, fill, batt, board. Advantages: Inexpensive, Versatile, Non-combustible, Commonly used. Disadvantages: Skin/lung irritant, R-value may vary depending on installation, Can get wet and reduce R-value, Compressible. Cellulose fibre: Loose fill. Advantages: Treated to resist fire, Recycled material, Less susceptible to wind washing and convective air movement than fibreglass. Disadvantages: Absorbs water, Reduced R-value, Combustible if not treated. Mineral wool: Loose fill, batt, board. Advantages: Non-combustible, Water resistant, Rot resistant, Inexpensive. Disadvantages: Combustible, Not an air/vapour barrier. Vermiculite or Perlite: Loose fill. Advantages: Non-combustible, Resists sunlight. Disadvantages: Heavy and expensive, Absorbs moisture if not treated, Not common on new construction. Expanded polystyrene (EXPS): Board. Advantages: Used in pre-fabricated wall panels, Almost an air/vapour barrier, Good R-value per inch Disadvantages: Damaged by sunlight & chemicals, Combustible. Extruded polystyrene: Board. Advantages: Better than expanded polystyrene, Higher R-value, Can be used below grade, Water resistant. Disadvantages: Damaged by sunlight & chemicals, Combustible. Closed cell phenolic plastic: Board. Advantages: High R-value per inch, Air barrier if joints taped. Disadvantages: Combustible, Expensive, Corrosive acids form if wetted, Not a vapour barrier. Polyisocyanurate: Board. Advantages: High R-value, Air/vapour barrier. Disadvantages: Expensive, Combustible, Not resistant to moisture. Polyurethane: Foamed-in-place. Advantages: Expands to reach tough-to-insulate spaces, Air barrier. Disadvantages: Deteriorates in sunlight, Combustible, R-value deteriorates over time, Can?t be used in closed cavities. Isocyanate/polyisocyanate: Foamed-in-place Advantages: Blow into tough-to-insulate spaces, Air/vapour barrier, Resists sunlight Disadvantages: Combustible, Can?t be used in closed cavities. Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 5

  Needs Grading

  	List at least eight characteristics of an ideal insulation. (You may come up with nine.)
  	Selected Answer: 1. High resistance to heat flow (R-value) 2. Inexpensive 3. Durable (lasts the life of the home) 4. Completely fills cavities 5. Air barrier (stop air leaks) 6. Vapor barrier (stops vapor diffusion) 7. Moisture and rot resistant (because all houses eventually leak) 8. Non-combustible  9. Chemically inert Correct Answer:   1. High resistance to heat flow 2. Inexpensive 3. Durable 4. Completely fills cavities 5. Air barrier 6. Vapour barrier 7. Moisture and rot resistant 8. Non-combustible 9. Chemically inert Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 6

  Needs Grading

  	List four common forms that insulation materials may be found in.
  	Selected Answer: 1. Loose fill 2. Batts or blankets 3. Rigid boards 4. Foamed-in-place insulation Correct Answer:   1. Loose fill 2. Batts or blankets 3. Rigid boards 4. Foamed-in-place Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 7

  Needs Grading

  	What is the function of insulation?
  	Selected Answer: The purpose of insulation is to slow the rate of heat transfer.  Correct Answer:   To slow the rate of heat transfer Response Feedback: [None Given]

• Question 8

  Needs Grading

  	What is wind washing?
  	Selected Answer: Considerable air movement that could blow through the insulation.  Correct Answer:   On a windy day, a lot of air can blow through the insulation, reducing its R-value. Response Feedback: [None Given]