Insulation on/around ventilation fan?

[Gettysburg150]

Hello all,

Hopefully this is in the correct location, I figured insulation qualifies as a HVAC topic, if I'm wrong feel free to let me know.



Question at hand:


I installed 2 ventilation fans in the upstairs of our detached garage. These are the cheap bathroom type you can get at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. The goal of these fans is to remove smoke (cigarette/cigar) from our "lounge" area in the upstairs of our garage. I'm in the process of finishing the insulation of the ceiling.

Everywhere I've seen online says that I can run insulation right up to and over the housing of the fan unit. Is this in fact safe? Nowhere in the instructions or manufacturer sheet does it say anything about insulation or being an IC unit, but is that more a can light issue than a fan issue? Thanks for the assistance.

Jason

 

[Radix2]

If you think about it, when it is on, there is air moving though it which would prevent it from overheating...also insulate the duct, water can condense there and drip back down or collect in the piping in cold weather (more of an issue for humid bath/shower areas tho.)

 

[Gettysburg150]

Radix2, thanks for the insight. I had the same thought about air movement, figured it "in theory" couldn't overheat since it will be moving air unless the fan jammed up or something. I think we'd notice that though since they'll only be used when someone is present. This is not my expertise by any mean and I just want to make sure I don't cause a fire or rot hazard

 

[Radix2]

The units I have looked at lately also have a fuse inside that should open in case of overheat or current (like IC cans).

 

[Gettysburg150]

Hmm, I didn't see any fuse on mine but maybe it was on the motor, I didn't look too close but I know the wiring was just straight wiring. Hopefully it'll be ok. Thank you