Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 25, § 2447-B (2025)
1. Prohibition No individual, partnership or corporation shall install in this State any type of foam plastic insulation unless that product complies with and is installed in accordance with the following requirements.
A. Unless otherwise excepted in the following subparagraphs, all foam plastic or foam plastic cores of manufactured assemblies shall have a flame-spread rating of not more than 75 and a smoke-developed rating of not more than 450 when tested in the maximum thickness intended for use in accordance with ASTM E-84. For all such installations, the foam plastic shall be separated from habitable or occupiable spaces by an approved thermal barrier of 1/2 inch gypsum wallboard or equivalent thermal barrier material which will limit the average temperature rise of the unexposed surface to not more than 250` F. after 15 minutes of fire exposure complying with the ASTM E-119 standard time-temperature curve. Thermal barriers shall be installed in a manner that assures they will stay in place for a minimum of 15 minutes under the same test exposure conditions.
(2) Foam plastics when tested in a thickness of 4 inches may be used in a thickness up to 10 inches when the building is equipped with an approved automatic fire suppression system. For use in rooms within buildings, this requirement shall apply to both the room and that part of the building in which the room is located.
For use in rooms within buildings, this requirement shall apply to both the room and that part of the building in which the room is located.
(5) Foam plastic may be used in a roof covering assembly without the thermal barrier when the foam is separated from the interior of the building by plywood sheathing not less than 1/2 inch in thickness bonded with interior glue, with edges supported by blocking, tongue-and-groove joints or other approved type of edge support, or an equivalent material. Foam plastic roof insulation that complies with Factory Mutual Standard 4450 or Underwriters Laboratories Subject 1256 need not meet the requirements of this paragraph. For roofing applications, the smoke-developed rating shall not be limited.
Foam plastic roof insulation that complies with Factory Mutual Standard 4450 or Underwriters Laboratories Subject 1256 need not meet the requirements of this paragraph.
For roofing applications, the smoke-developed rating shall not be limited.
(8) Within an attic or crawl space where entry is made only for service of utilities, foam plastics shall be protected against ignition by 1 1/2 inch thick mineral fiber insulation, 1/4 inch thick plywood, particleboard, hardboard or gypsum wallboard, No. 26 gauge sheet steel or other approved material installed in such a manner that the foam plastic is not exposed.
[RR 1991, c. 2, §96 (COR).]
B. Existing low hazard storage facilities with foam plastic insulation may be maintained without the required thermal barrier.
(2) The State Fire Marshal may permit in specific circumstances the use of foam plastic with a flame barrier when such use does not create a life safety hazard.
[PL 1981, c. 101 (NEW).]
[RR 1991, c. 2, §96 (COR).]
2. Alternate installations Foam plastics may be used in applications other than as listed in this section, when specifically approved by the State Fire Marshal based on diversified tests such as the Factory Mutual Building Corner Test Procedure or the enclosed room test procedures described in Underwriters Laboratories Subject 723. These approvals shall also be based on tests conducted in accordance with ASTM E-84 and ASTM D1929. Testing shall be performed on the finished manufactured foam plastic assemblies and on the maximum thickness intended for use.
[PL 1979, c. 167 (NEW).]
3. Penalty Any violation of this section shall be a Class E crime.
[PL 1979, c. 167 (NEW).]
PL 1979, c. 167 (NEW). PL 1981, c. 101 (AMD). RR 1991, c. 2, §96 (COR).