Vermiculite loose fill masonry insulation is an inert, inorganic, lightweight granular material that can be been treated for water repellency. It is non-flammable, non-combustible, economical, and does not emit odors, toxic fumes, or attract vermin. It will not deteriorate or decompose.

Since it is simply poured into the cavities of block cores or in cavity wall areas, it is one of the easiest means of providing a barrier against the transmission of heat, sound, and moisture. As a loose-fill product, it fills the cavities completely, not leaving gaps or openings or bridging.

Basic Product Properties

Thermal Insulation--Vermiculite has been used for over 50 years for insulation in attics, walls, and high temperature industrial applications. In recent testing, vermiculite masonry insulation used in a standard 8" lightweight block performed better than urea formaldehyde foam polystyrene beads, and polystyrene inserts. Generally vermiculite will increase the total insulating value of a block wall by 35% to 60% depending upon the properties of the concrete block.

Water Repellency--If treated to reduce water absorption, vermiculite masonry insulation reduces water migration through both block and cavity walls.

Permanency--Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral and has a sintering point of 2300^o or (1260^o C). Once in place, this product has very minimal settling properties. Vermiculite is free flowing and will fill and insulate all voids.

Economical--Vermiculite is cost competitive and easy to install (virtually foolproof). It significantly reduces heat loss in block wall construction, and can be used in conjunction with other forms of wall insulation to provide a total super-insulated form of construction.

Non-Combustible--In testing following the ASTM E-84 tunnel test, vermiculite has no flame spread, no fuel contributed, or smoke developed.

Improved Fire Rating--Underwriters Laboratory has assigned a four hour rating (U.L. Design nos. U 901, 904 and 905) to concrete block walls constructed of standard 8" x 8" x 16" blocks with all the cores filled with vermiculite. Required fire ratings for elevator shafts and fire walls can now be easily attained with this economical type construction. This eliminates the use of heavy and expensive masonry units used to obtain these ratings in the past.

• Underwriters' Laboratory Design No. U905 shows that a 2-hour rated 8,10, or 12-inch concrete block wall is improved to 4 hours when cores are filled with loose fill vermiculite. (Other four hour designs and ratings for 8-inch blocks are also described in U901 (upgrading 2 and 3 hours blocks to 4 hours), U904 (upgrading 3 hr block to 4 hour), and U907 (upgrading 3 hr block to 4 hour).)