ShareUK: hydrocarbon-blown insulation foam to be considered as hazardous waste
The UK Environment Agency has advised that all waste refrigerator insulation foam produced using a hydrocarbon blowing agent should be considered highly flammable and, as such, should be classified as hazardous waste.
The UK Environment Agency has advised that all waste refrigerator insulation foam produced using a hydrocarbon blowing agent should be considered highly flammable and, as such, should be classified as hazardous waste.
The announcement is based on tests carried out on 20 refrigerators containing insulation blown using cyclopentane, i-pentane, n-pentane or mixtures of these gases. The study found that all tested foam samples should be considered "highly flammable" under European Test Method A10 Flammability (Solids).
The Agency says that the results of the study will be used to identify options for minimising or preventing accidents and incidents and to ensure that fridges containing hydrocarbon blown foams are sent to appropriate permitted treatment facilities.
Specifically, this means appropriate measures for waste separation/segregation, such as fire breaks/walls and the prevention of flammable atmospheres.
The announcement is based on tests carried out on 20 refrigerators containing insulation blown using cyclopentane, i-pentane, n-pentane or mixtures of these gases. The study found that all tested foam samples should be considered "highly flammable" under European Test Method A10 Flammability (Solids).
The Agency says that the results of the study will be used to identify options for minimising or preventing accidents and incidents and to ensure that fridges containing hydrocarbon blown foams are sent to appropriate permitted treatment facilities.
Specifically, this means appropriate measures for waste separation/segregation, such as fire breaks/walls and the prevention of flammable atmospheres.