Fire Safety

ROCKWOOL is committed to fire safety both through our history of association partnerships as well as with the development of stone wool insulation products that contribute to fire safety.

Download Fire Safety Fact Sheet

Supporting NFPA Fire Prevention Week

Every October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) does a public service by promoting Fire Prevention Week activities that remind people about fire safety and what to do in the event a fire does occur. This year the event runs from October 9th to October 15.

At ROCKWOOL, we work hard year-round to help make homes and places of business more fire resilient. We know when it comes to getting your family to safety, every second counts.

We developed fire safety test demonstrations and tests, completed in partnership with HGTV, and with the help of local fire departments.

Fire Safety Videos

These top videos show what happens when a block of ice or a box of chocolates are enclosed in ROCKWOOL insulation which can withstand temperatures exceeding 1,800º F (1,000º C).

Does it Melt? Block of Ice.

Does it Burn? Box of Chocolates.

Fire safety is all about managing risk. The probability of a serious fire in any building may be low, but the potential consequences are enormous.

ROCKWOOL insulation contributes to fire safety in multiple ways, but first and foremost we should all be educated.

In 2013 U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,755 deaths, 12,200 civilian injuries, and $7.0 billion in direct damage.¹ Canada’s latest report revealed that residential fires accounted for 30% of all fires with cooking as the leading cause.²

Unwanted fires can have many consequences including property damage, business interruption, environmental pollution and most importantly physical harm—even death. Examples and statistics about fires in the United States can be found at the National Fire Protection Association.

ROCKWOOL insulation won’t burn, or release toxic gases or smoke when exposed to high heat. It helps delay the spread of fire and may provide you and your family with precious extra seconds to escape.

Fire spreads quickly—a small fire can turn into a raging inferno within seconds. An escape plan is critical for getting out safely.

ROCKWOOL insulation products are often used in dedicated fire protection systems for buildings and industrial equipment.

¹ Source: National Fire Protection Association

² Source: National Fire Protection Association

Helpful Tips for Fire Safety

Install smoke alarms on every story of your home (including the basement), in every bedroom and outside of sleeping areas.

Be sure to test your alarms monthly, clean them every six months, replace batteries in the spring and fall, and replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
Make sure everyone in your home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.

Develop a fire escape plan for your family and practice it.

A small fire can spread rapidly—you may only have minutes or seconds to escape. When going over the details of your escape plan, check windows and doors to ensure all open easily.
Know your local emergency number (911).
Never stop to gather belongings or re-enter a home after safely outside.

Use fire-rated, non-combustible products when renovating. Your choice of insulation, for example, can be vital.

Place fire extinguishers on every level of your home.

Place them in high-risk areas like the kitchen, near fireplaces, and in the garage.
Use an extinguisher only for small, contained fires that are not spreading rapidly.
Know how to operate it before an emergency occurs using the PASS method: Pull pin, Aim low, Squeeze lever and Sweep from side to side.

The safest option is always to evacuate your home and call for help.

¹ Source: National Association of Fire Protection

²Source: Council of Canadian Fire Marshalls and Fire Commissioners

Fire Safety Associations and Council's we are a part of:

National Fire Protection Association

ROCKWOOL is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The mission of the international non-profit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, the NFPA develops, publishes and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

Learn more about the National Fire Protection Association

NFPA Fire Safety Tips

NFPA Fires in the Unites States Fact Sheet (2012)

National Association of State Fire Marshals

ROCKWOOL is a proud supporter of The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) whose mission two-fold:

To protect human life, property and the environment from fire.
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals' operations.

The membership of the NASFM comprises the most senior fire officials in the United States. State Fire Marshals' responsibilities vary from state to state, but marshals tend to be responsible for fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education and advising governors and state legislatures on fire protection. Some State Fire Marshals are responsible for fire fighter training, hazardous materials incident responses, wildland fires and the regulation of natural gas and other pipelines.

Learn more about The National Association of State Fire Marshals

Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council

ROCKWOOL is a proud sponsor of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing fire safety solutions, strategies and resources in the community with the ultimate goal of improving fire safety.

The council was established in Ontario in 1993 and has since provided over 1 million dollars in services to the public.

Lead by industry fire experts, the council delivers its services and education abiding by these core principles:

That the citizens of Ontario have a right to life in an environment safe from fire
That awareness of fire safety is critical in modifying behaviour that results in injury and loss of life, either directly or indirectly
That to educate the entire population of Ontario in fire safety, we must be sensitive to its particular needs and address them (disabilities, age, vulnerable groups, diverse needs of the community, etc.)
That there is value in consulting with stakeholders in fire safety; therefore, we must promote and develop innovative partnerships with the broader public and private sectors
To provide access to high quality programs
To strengthen the relationship with the Office of the Fire Marshal and other partners

Learn more about the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council

Together with its sponsors; FMPFSC has developed fire safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Remove all clutter from your basement and/or attic
Install smoke alarms on every floor and outside sleeping areas
Replace smoke alarm batteries yearly and replace alarms every 10 years
Ask your local fire department for a home inspection
Never overload electrical circuits
Check every room for electrical hazards
Create a fire escape plan with your family and have two ways out of each room where possible
If your smoke alarm sounds—get out and stay out!
Have a fire extinguisher on every floor and know how to use it
Never leave a stove unattended while it is in use

Source: Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council

Fire Safe North America

ROCKWOOL is a proud member of Fire Safe North America, a coalition of experts, organizations and association members that represents manufacturers and suppliers who provide fire safe products, materials and systems.¹

Among many, ROCKWOOL and the ROCKWOOL group pride themselves on their product's fire-resistant properties. These properties could mean extra minutes to escape in the event of a fire. With the help of Fire Safe North America, we’re able to spread the word about the importance of building with fire-safe materials and the long-term effects these choices have on our buildings and the environment.

About Fire Safe North America

Mission:

Mitigate the immediate and long-term impact of fire and smoke for building stakeholders by promoting effective safety layering through building code and policy development.¹

Vision:

Coalition of stakeholders dedicated to the advancement of resilient building design and construction through safety layering resulting in effective fire and life safety.¹

Fire Safe North America has a strong and active role in the codes and standards development process through the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council, as well as extending their efforts to include codes and standards involvement in Canada. Through various committees and study groups, Fire Safe North America will be a resource for articles, test reports, research documents and other information promoting the need for fire safety layering in building design.¹

More Information

Join Fire Safe America

¹ Fire Safe North America, https://www.firesafenorthamerica.org/about-fire-safe-north-america/

International Firestop Council

ROCKWOOL is a proud supporter of the International Firestop Council (IFC), whose mission is to promote the technology of fire and smoke containment in modern building construction through research, education and development of safety standards and code provisions.¹

Educating industry professionals and consumers about the benefits of building with fire safety in mind is a top priority for ROCKWOOL, and we’re pleased to have found an organization dedicated to the same objectives.

About the International Firestop Council - The source of firestop expertise ^®

The International Firestop Council is a not-for-profit association of manufacturers, distributors and installers of passive fire protection materials and systems in North America.¹

The IFC provides online and live training on several aspects of firestopping. The programs include modules with information on specific firestopping topics as well as full inspection courses.¹

Firestopping is an integral part of fire protection engineering. Firestop systems protect against the passage of flames, deadly gases and toxic smoke through openings that are created for penetrations, joints and gaps in fire-resistive walls, floors and floor/ceiling assemblies. The integrity of fire-rated assemblies is restored by firestop systems. Building codes require third-party tested systems to be installed whenever fire-rated construction is compromised by such openings.¹

For more information, visit www.firestop.org

¹International Firestop Council, https://www.firestop.org/about-ifc.html

Source: Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council