The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to propose a label for cellulose home insulation underscoring the importance of proper installation to prevent fires.
According to Commission staffers, improper installation of cellulose insulation over recessed light fixtures and close to hot exhaust flues can cause fires.
The proposed label, to be displayed on all cellulose insulation made, imported, packaged or sold by manufacturers after August 31,1979, would alert installers and consumers to the dangers of improper installation.
The label reads:
Warning
To Prevent Fires: Keep cellulose insulation at least three inches away from recessed light fixtures. Do not place insulation over such fixtures.
Also keep this insulation away from exhaust flues of furnaces, water heaters, space heaters or other heat-producing devices.
To be sure that insulation is kept away from light fixtures and flues, use a permanent, open top barrier around these items.
During installation, a removable lid may be placed over the permanent barrier so that insulation cannot get inside the barrier and against a fixture or flue. Remove the lid after the insulation is installed to prevent heat buildup in the barrier.
Request to Installer: Remove this label and give to consumer at completion of job.
In tests conducted by CPSC, eight samples of cellulose insulation, some of which reportedly passed minimum safety tests, were packed over recessed lights carrying the recommended wattage bulb. Six samples began to smolder in less than eight hours, and two caused open flames within 11 hours.
Twenty-eight reports on file at the Commission have also identified recessed lights as the ignition source of cellulose insulation fires.
Other findings from laboratories and fire departments around the country have pointed up the possibility of ignition of cellulose when put over recessed light fixtures even if the insulation did not burn in a flame test.
If approved, the rule will become effective September 1,1979. It will be proposed for a 60-day comment period when published in the Federal Register, expected shortly. Interested persons should send their views to: Cellulose Insulation, Section 27(e) Proposal, Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our email alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, Threads, LinkedIn and Truth Social.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
- Contact a media specialist.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800