So I started my walls an drop ceiling build in my garage to keep heat an a/c in. I laid my r-13 in ceiling an I have a radiant tube heater 4" from ceiling that's the dimensions it says stay away. My problem is I had it running an I noticed the paper of r-13 turning black from the heat so it's getting hot. But I'm also using styrofoam 1/2" board with reflective Shiny foil faced above over the insulation will this be fine?
Insulation and heat
- Thread starter Blkctsv05
- Start date
Dragster Racer
Well-known member
If it is turning black I think that tells you something. I don't know that I would trust the foam board at that distance either. I would be tempted to at very least put a sheet of corrogated metal sheeting above the heater.
Fueler
Well-known member
That might not be directly heat related. What about moisture turning the paper? Seems to me if it was heat that the paper should crumble to the touch. Either way further investigation is warranted.
bczygan
Well-known member
I think that distance may be for a drywall ceiling, which is fire resistant.
Does the radiant tube heater have a shield?
Does the radiant tube heater have a shield?
harvero
Well-known member
What is the heat source of your tube heater? Is it external like a water heater, or is is a gas or propane fired heater? If it is one of that latter, then is there a external exhaust, or does it vent inside?
Highbeam
Well-known member
Clearance to combustibles means clearance to combustibles. It doesn't matter if that is balsa wood or sheetrock. If you properly measured and met the required clearances then something may be broken causing a hot spot on the heater.
I would not be happy if the combusibles located outside of the minimums were charred.
I would not be happy if the combusibles located outside of the minimums were charred.
bczygan
Well-known member
Let me be very clear.
I just looked up an installation manual for an infrared tube heater. They have very specific instructions for mounting as we as what materials can be placed near them, and how close these things can be.
Get a copy, or look one up on line, for exactly your make and model. Read and follow all instructions exactly.
Personally, I would like a non-combustible shield or material of some kind, above the heater, even if the heater had it's own shield. But the instructions I read did not specifically say that. I've experienced the loss of a building from a heater, so I'm a little gun shy. Not a bad thing.
Bill
Fueler
Well-known member
That looks a bit close. My reverbarray book says 6".
Fueler
Well-known member
I think you will be fine with the reflective material. If you want to experiment, take a piece of the materials in question, set it in front of an open oven and say set it for 100 degrees and see what it takes to discolor it.
I suppose you could also look up facts on the material and see what it's combustible point is.
I suppose you could also look up facts on the material and see what it's combustible point is.