HSE guidance document fire retardant grade EPS foam,

Expanded Polystyrene foam (EPS), Fire Retardant Grade

Date of 1st issue: November 1998

Revision (number and date) 04 published December 2008

The information in this document can be made available to all who handle the product.

1. Identification of the substance and of the company

1.1 Identification of the substance

Product Name: EPS70E / EPS100E / EPS150E / EPS200E / EPS250E / EPS300E / EPS350E / EPS400E / EPS500E

Loose Polystyrene Bead (in Bags)

Product Code: EUMEPS 01 FR (-SE)

Product Type: Thermoplastic

1.2 Use of the substance

The substance is used as an insulation / building material in construction works / road construction and as packaging material.

1.3 Manufacturer / Supplier Identification (should be the person that places it on the Market)

Manufacturer

Name: Kay-Metzeler Ltd

Address: Brook Street, Chelmsford

Essex CM1 1UQ

Phone number: 01245 342100

E-mail address: Kay-Metzeler-EPS-Sales@kay-metzeler.co.uk

Web Site: www.kay-metzeler.com

1.4 Emergency telephone

Manufacturer/Supplier: 01245 342100 (during office hours)

2. Hazards identification

Human health hazards: No specific hazards

Safety hazards: Freshly moulded EPS releases residual pentane which may

form explosive vapour-air mixtures in confined spaces, e.g.

during transport and in storage.

Environmental hazards: No specific hazards.

3. Composition/information on ingredients

Name: Expanded Polystyrene

Synonyms: EPS, poly (phenylethene)

CAS-number for polymer component (>=97 wt-%) =

9003-53-6 (polystyrene)

Dangerous components CAS number Content range EC no. EC hazard R-phrases

Pentane 109-66-0 and < 2 wt.-% F R11

Hexabromocyclododecane 25637-99-4 0,5 -1,0 % (w/w) 247-148-4 N 50/53

or 3194-55-6 or 221-695-9

Mixed isomers 78-78-4

Other information:

4. First Aid Measures

Symptoms and effects: None

First Aid – Inhalation: No specific measures

First Aid – Skin: No specific measures

First Aid – Eye: No specific measures

First Aid – Ingestion: No specific measures

Advice to First-Aiders: Treat symptomatically

5. Fire-fighting Measures

Specific hazards: Combustible, but will not sustain spread of fire after removal of

ignition source. Combustion products include carbon

monoxide, carbon dioxide. Smoke , which may reduce

visibility, and traces of styrene may also be released.

Extinguishing media: Foam, water spray or fog

Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, sand or earth may be

used for small fires

Unsuitable extinguishing media: Water in a jet

Protective equipment: Full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus

Other information: Keep adjacent products cool by spraying water.

6. Accidental release measures

Not applicable

7. Handling and Storage

7.1 Handling

Handling: Keep away from ignition sources e.g. naked flames or sparks

In case of hot work being necessary: keep fire extinguisher at hand

No smoking

Do not breathe fumes or vapours from heated product.

Use local exhaust ventilation over hot-wire cutting area

Avoid generation or accumulation of dusts

All equipment to be earthed

Handling temperatures: Ambient

7.2 Storage

Storage; Keep away from sources of heat or ignition

(see also section 10).

Keep away from organic solvents

Storage temperature: Less than 85°C

Product transfer: See handling

7.3 Specific use(s)

Not applicable

8. Exposure controls /Personal protection

8.1 Exposure Limit Values

Exposure Limit Values: Non established

8.2 Exposure controls

Occupational exposure controls : None established

Respiratory protection: No specific measures

Hand protection: No specific measures

Eye protection: No specific measures

Skin protection: Standard issue work clothes

Safety shoes or boots

Environmental exposure controls: none established

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

9.1 General information

Physical state: Rigid foam with a closed cellular structure

Form: Block, Board or moulded product, consisting of small fused

spherical foamed beads

Density: circa 8 – 60 kg/m3 at 20°C

Odour: None

9.2 Important health, safety and environmental information

pH: neutral

Boiling point: none

Flash point: 370°C (based on no residual pentane)

Flammability: Euroclass E

Explosion limit – upper: 7,8% (v/v) based on residual pentane)

Explosion limit – lower: 1, 3% (v/v) based on residual pentane)

Oxidising properties: none

Vapour pressure: not relevant

Relative density: circa 8 – 60 kg/m m3 at 20°C

Solubility: Soluble in aromatics and halogenated solvents and ketones

Water solubility: Insoluble

Partition coefficient n-octanol/water: not relevant

Viscosity: not relevant

Vapour density: None

Evaporation rate: None

9.3 Other information

Softening point: 85 – 100°C

Auto-ignition temperature: 450°C

10. Stability and Reactivity

The product is stable and not reactive in normal use, storage and handling conditions.

10.1 Conditions to avoid

Conditions to avoid: Heat above 100º C, flames, sparks and direct contact with

electrical cables

10.2 Materials to avoid

Materials to avoid: Avoid contact with aromatics and halogenated solvents and

ketones

Toxicological information

Basis for assessment: Information given is based on knowledge of the constituents

and the toxicology of similar substances

Acute toxicity – oral: None

Acute toxicity– dermal: None

Acute toxicity– inhalation: Thermal decomposition at high temperatures, e.g. hot wire

cutting, may result in the release of styrene in which case the

Occupational Exposure limit for styrene should be taken into

account (e.g. hot wire cutting)

Eye irritation: Not expected to be irritating

Skin irritation: Not expected to be irritating

Skin sensitisation: Not expected to be a skin sensitizer

Human effects: None

Ecological information

Basis for assessment: Information given is based on knowledge of the constituents

and the ecotoxicology of similar substances

12.1 Ecotoxicity

Sewage treatment: Not dangerous

12.2 Mobility

Mobility: Floats on water.

12.3 Persistence and degradability

Persistence and degradability: Not inherently biodegradable

12.4 Bio accumulative potential

Bioaccumulation: Does not bioaccumulate

12.5 Results of PBT assessment

This product contains a substance, HBCD, which is classified as dangerous for the environment. However recent studies on aquatic organisms have shown that articles such as PS foams, while containing this substance, do not need to be classified for environmental hazard.

12.6 Other information

Small EPS particles may have physical effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms

Typical EPS particles pass through the digestive systems of animals chemically unchanged.

Disposal considerations

Precautions: None

Waste disposal: Recover or recycle, if possible.

Otherwise incineration in a state-of-the-art waste incinerator or

licensed landfill.

Product disposal: Recover or recycle, if possible.

Otherwise incineration in an appropriate waste incinerator or

licensed landfill.

Packaging disposal: Remove all packaging for recovery or waste disposal.

Local legislation: Not classified as chemical waste.

Transport Information

General information: Not classified under international / national regulations for

road / maritime / air transport and inland navigation.

Shipping name: Not applicable

Local regulations:

Other information: Packages must be marked “Keep away from sources of

ignition”. Hazard symbol not legally required for sea transport.

Regulatory information:

EC label name: -

EC classification: -

EC symbols: -

EC risk phrases: In use may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture,

based on residual pentane.

EC-safety phrase: -

EINICS (EC): All components are listed or are polymer exempt.

REACH, (EC) No 1907/2006: This product is an Article.

This product contains Hexabromocyclododecane above 0.1% (w/w) listed in the Candidate list for Authorisation established in accordance with article 59.1.

MITI (Japan): All components are listed.

TSCA (USA): All components are listed.

AICS(Australia): All components are listed.

DSL(Canada) : All components are listed.

National legislation: -

Other information

Uses and restrictions: The substance is used as a isolation/building material in

construction works / road construction.

For further information, contact:

EUMEPS

Av. E. van Nieuwenhuyse 4/3

B- 1160 Brussels

Belgium

Telephone : +32 2 7927522

Email : e.meuwissen@eumeps.org

Website: www.eumeps.org

VAT reg. no. BE453127976

International/non-profit association

Disclaimer: This information is based on our current knowledge and is intended to describe the product for the purpose of health, safety and environmental requirements only. It should not therefore be considered as guarantee for a specific property of the product.