Editing Polystyrene (section)

===Fire hazards===
Like other [[organic compound]]s, polystyrene is flammable. Polystyrene is classified according to [[DIN4102 A1|DIN4102]] as a "B3" product, meaning highly flammable or "Easily Ignited". As a consequence, although it is an efficient insulator at low temperatures, its use is prohibited in any exposed installations in [[building construction]] if the material is not [[flame retardant|flame-retardant]].{{citation needed|date=June 2011}} It must be concealed behind [[drywall]], sheet metal, or concrete.<ref>{{cite book |oclc=166313665 |url=https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/14390/RNelligan06.pdf |type=MS Thesis |title=Guidelines for the use of expanded foam polystyrene panel systems in industrial buildings to minimize the risk of fire |first=R.J. |last=Nelligan |year=2006 }}</ref> Foamed polystyrene plastic materials have been accidentally ignited and caused huge fires and losses of life, for example at the [[Düsseldorf Airport fire|Düsseldorf International Airport]] and in the [[1996 Channel Tunnel fire|Channel Tunnel]] (where polystyrene was inside a railway carriage that caught fire).<ref>{{cite news|title=Foul Play Considered in Channel Tunnel Fire Inquiry |date=28 November 1996 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/foul-play-considered-in-chunnel-fire-inquiry-1.110786 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref>