Title 16—Commercial Practices--Volume 1
PART 1404—CELLULOSE INSULATION
§ 1404.1   Scope, application, and effective date.
(a) Scope. This part 1404 establishes a requirement for manufacturers, including importers, of cellulose insulation to notify (1) prospective purchasers of such products at the time of original purchase and (2) the first purchasers of such products for purposes other than resale (installers and consumers) of ways to avoid the fire hazard that exists where cellulose insulation is installed too close to the sides or over the top of a recessed electrical light fixture or where cellulose insulation is installed too close to the exhaust flues from heat-producing devices or apparatus such as furnaces, water heaters, and space heaters. The notification consists of a warning label on the containers of cellulose insulation.
(b) Application and effective date. This rule applies to cellulose insulation that is for sale to consumers for installation in households or residences, as well as insulation that is produced or distributed for installation by professionals in households or residences. Cellulose insulation that is labeled as, marketed, and sold solely for nonresidential installation is not included within the scope of this proceeding. The rule applies to all products manufactured after October 15, 1979.
§ 1404.2   Background.
Based on available fire incident information, engineering analysis of the probable fire scenarios, and laboratory tests, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that fires can occur where cellulose insulation is improperly installed too close to the sides or over the top of recessed electrical light fixtures, or installed too close to the exhaust flues from heat producing devices or apparatus such as furnaces, water heaters, and space heaters. These fires may result in serious injuries or deaths. Presently available information indicates that fires may occur where cellulose insulation is improperly installed even though the cellulose insulation complies with the Commission's amended interim standard for cellulose insulation (16 CFR part 1209) based on GSA Specification HH-I-515D. The Commission has determined that it is necessary to require labeling to inform persons installing cellulose insulation and consumers in whose homes the insulation is installed of the fire hazard associated with improperly installed cellulose insulation and the method of properly installing the insulation to prevent this hazard. The Commission anticipates that this regulation will accomplish the purpose of helping protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury associated with improperly installed cellulose insulation.
§ 1404.3   Definitions.
The definitions in section 3 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052) apply to this part 1404.
Cellulose insulation is cellulosic fiber, loose fill, thermal insulation that is suitable for blowing or pouring applications.
Manufacturer means any person who manufactures or imports a consumer product. The term includes both a person who manufactures the product at the direction of another (such as a packager) and the person at whose direction the product is manufactured (such as the marketer of the brand).
§ 1404.4   Requirements to provide performance and technical data by labeling—Notice to purchasers.
(a) Manufacturers of cellulose insulation shall give notification of performance and technical data related to performance and safety (1) to prospective purchasers at the time of original purchase and (2) to the first purchaser of such products for purposes other than resale in the following manner. Manufacturers of cellulose insulation shall label all containers of cellulose insulation with the following statement, using capital letters as indicated:
Potential Fire Hazard: Keep cellulose insulation at least three inches away from the sides of recessed light fixtures. Do not place insulation over such fixtures so as to entrap heat.
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 barrier to permanently maintain clearance around these areas. Check with local building or fire officials for guidance on installation and barrier requirements.
Request to Installer: Remove this label and give it to the consumer at completion of job.
Manufacturers of cellulose insulation may substitute the phrase “TO HELP AVOID FIRE” for the phrase “POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD” in the label described above. Manufacturers may also delete the word “cellulose from the first sentence of the label and may delete the word “this” from the third sentence of the label. The remainder of the label statement shall appear exactly as described above.
(b) The labeling statement required by § 1404.4(a) shall appear prominently and conspicuously on the container. The word “CAUTION” shall appear in capital letters at least one-fourth inch in height. The words “POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD” and “REQUEST TO INSTALLER” shall appear in capital letters at least three-sixteenths inch in height. The remainder of the statement shall appear in capital letters at least three-sixteenths inch in height, with lower case letters in corresponding proportion but at least one-eighth inch in height. The labeling statement shall be enclosed within a rectangle formed with lines at least one-sixteenth inch in width. The labeling statement shall be printed with legible type in a color which contrasts with the background on which the statement is printed.
(c) To meet this requirement, manufacturers may use any type of label, including one which is pressure sensitive or glued-on, provided the label is made in such a manner that it will remain attached to the container for the expected time interval between the manufacture of the product and its installation.