Self-sealing insulation safe adjacent to boiler?

Previously, I asked whether it was safe to put pipe insulation right up to the point at which the pipe goes into the boiler. I was advised that I can and should put fiberglass insulation right up to where the pipe comes out of the boiler. I am lazy and I never did it. When I went to buy the insulation, I found that all of the insulation seems to be the "self-sealing" type installed higher up, which is surrounded by paper. Is this safe for that paper to go right up to where the pipe meets the boiler? I should say that the water line is about a foot below the place where the pipe comes out of the boiler.

Also: how do you insulate the elbows?