While Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam, offers a lightweight and cost-effective solution for insulation and panels, its inherent fire hazards present possible risks that building professionals and owners must address. The material’s presence in construction can turn a small fire into a catastrophic event.

EPS is a petroleum-based plastic that is highly flammable and ignites easily upon exposure to sufficient heat. When combustion occurs, the danger escalates rapidly. Burning EPS not only accelerates the blaze but can also melt and shrink away, creating molten, burning droplets that fall and spread the fire to other floors and areas below. In external applications, this often leads to rapid, uncontrollable vertical flame spread.

The consequences of this rapid spread are severe. Investigations into recent deadly high-rise fires, such as those in Hong Kong, have cited highly flammable polystyrene boards as a primary factor in the ferocity of the blaze. In these incidents, the non-compliant use of EPS, combined with other materials, created a “deadly chimney effect” that accelerated the fire across multiple levels.

Furthermore, burning EPS produces dense, black, and toxic smoke containing hazardous gases, including styrene monomer. This smoke severely obstructs escape routes, hindering evacuation efforts and posing significant health risks to both occupants and emergency responders. Regulatory bodies are increasingly scrutinizing and, in some cases, prohibiting the use of certain types of EPS cladding due to these significant safety concerns. Prioritizing non-combustible alternatives is essential to protect lives and structural integrity.