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Dow Safe Touch

nycpa
nycpa Member Posts: 108
in Strictly Steam
Does anyone know if its safe to wrap the main insulation on Steam Heating systems using Dow Safe Touch insulation.  I am trying to avoid fiberglass because my boiler is located in the same room as the laundry.  I know Fiberglass has a melting point of 500 degrees but I can't find out what Safe touches melting point is.  I asked the company but they won't tell me.    

Comments

  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,502
    Find the MSDS sheet

    It's made of PET which is a polyester fiber. I would be leery of putting it on a boiler without knowing how it would react to high heat in the long term. now if you could put a thin layer of fiberglass underneath it you would probably be ok.



    See if you can find a MSDS sheet, that should list the pertinent safety information.



    Someone makes a denim based insulation but I think it's for blown in application only.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
    Polyester Insulation

    One of the things that would concern me is that even though the melting temperature of PET is quite high 260C (500F) , plastics melt and burn. PolyEthylene Terephthalate is a very common plastic and is used for drinking water,soda, milk bottles, Dacron (polyester) fibers and numerous other items.  I know they were recycling it into fibers for carpeting but I read in a trade magazine that the Dow stuff was made from virgin material but Dow was planning on adding recycled raw stock somewhere in the future. (to appeal to the green people). You might want to look up Enguard  http://enguardinsulation.com/ which is also a polyester insulation. They are a smaller company so you might be able to get a "real:" person to answer your questions.

    -Rod
  • David Nadle
    David Nadle Member Posts: 624
    Concerns?

    What is the concern about fiberglass in the laundry room?
  • nycpa
    nycpa Member Posts: 108
    Would rather have fiberglass sealed

    I was told that fiberglass out in the open is not a good thing.  Breathing and skin irritation.  My laundry and pantry are located in the same room as the boiler and a good part of my main.  
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    Don't use loose fiberglass...

    Use fiberglass pipe insulation that is manufactured for that purpose.  It will be safe.  It will not give off fiberglass particles.

    Here is a picture.  http://store03.prostores.com/buyinsulationproducts/media/02/a20791a12912668486203f_m.png  
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • David Nadle
    David Nadle Member Posts: 624
    Dave's right

    Fiberglass pipe insulation is specially molded and jacketed. You won't have loose fibers.
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