Fire Department Incident Safety Officer Practice Test

What type of insulation is commonly used in Type V buildings?

1. Fiberglass

2. Concrete

3. Steel

4. Spray foam

The correct answer is: Fiberglass

In Type V buildings, which are typically constructed with wood framing and are often found in residential settings, fiberglass insulation is commonly used due to its thermal properties and ease of installation. This type of insulation is lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and provides effective thermal resistance, making it suitable for the construction of these structures. Fiberglass is non-combustible and does not contribute to the spread of fire, aligning with safety and building codes for residential construction. Its ability to fill irregular spaces also makes it a popular choice among builders when insulating walls, ceilings, and floors in these types of buildings. Other materials mentioned, such as concrete and steel, are not used as insulation in this context. Concrete is a building material rather than an insulator, while steel has high thermal conductivity and would not provide effective insulation on its own. Spray foam, while providing excellent insulation, is not as widely used in the construction of Type V buildings compared to fiberglass, especially given considerations of cost and application in residential structures. Thus, fiberglass insulation remains the most commonly utilized type in this category of buildings.