Cold storage facilities utilize B1-grade and B2-grade extruded polystyrene boards, which exhibit significant differences not only in flame retardancy and cost but also in oxygen index, smoke emission characteristics, and application scenarios.
I. Oxygen Index Differences
The oxygen index serves as a key indicator measuring a material's combustibility. It denotes the minimum oxygen concentration required to sustain balanced combustion of a solid material within a mixed oxygen-nitrogen gas flow under specified conditions. A higher oxygen index indicates greater resistance to combustion. B1-grade XPS boards typically have an oxygen index ≥30%, meaning they are difficult to ignite in environments with oxygen levels below 30%. In contrast, B2-grade XPS boards generally have an oxygen index between 26% and 29%. Consequently, under the same low-oxygen conditions, B2-grade XPS boards are more easily ignited than B1-grade ones.
II. Different Smoke Characteristics
During a fire, the smoke and toxic gases produced by burning extruded polystyrene boards pose significant threats to human safety. Grade B1 boards exhibit superior flame retardancy, resulting in less intense combustion, reduced smoke volume, and lower concentrations of toxic gases in the smoke. Grade B2 boards, however, tend to produce dense smoke during combustion. This thick smoke not only severely impairs visibility and complicates evacuation efforts but also releases significant amounts of toxic gases that can rapidly endanger human life.
III. Differentiated Application Focuses
Based on these performance differences, their application scenarios also vary. B1-grade boards, with their outstanding flame-retardant properties, are commonly used in cold storage facilities housing flammable goods, large-scale integrated cold storage with high foot traffic, and locations with stringent fire safety requirements such as server rooms and data centers. B2-grade XPS boards, while slightly less fire-resistant, offer cost-effective solutions for storing ordinary goods, smaller cold storage facilities with less stringent fire requirements, or temporary warehouses with limited budgets.
The above details complement the distinctions between B1-grade and B2-grade XPS boards. Should you wish to explore their performance differences under varying climatic conditions or have questions about selecting XPS boards, feel free to reach out to us anytime.
