Central Fiber
Clean & Xcell Loose-Fill Cellulose
Installation Instructions
Field Preparation – Exposed Attic (Horizontal) Applications
Preliminary Inspection – Note an exposed attic is one without flooring, where the space between joists is accessible. An
inspection of the building should be made prior to installation. Special consideration should be given to the following areas:
Holes in ceilings that would allow the insulation to escape, must be sealed.
Openings in heating or air conditioning air systems, in insulated areas, must have blocking placed around them but
not restricting air flow.
Preparations – New Construction Exposed Attic:
Where individual vents are used in the soffit, the rafter space
immediately in front of and on either side of the vent should be
provided with an air chute (See Figure 1A and Figure 1B). Other
spaces should be totally blocked.
Where a continuous strip vent is used in the soffit, an air chute
should be provided every third rafter space with the other
spaces completely blocked (See Figure 1A and Figure 1B).
Insulating the corners of the attics in building with hip roofs may
require special nozzles or placement tools. Alternately, corners
can be insulated with suitable insulation before the drywall or
plastic board is installed. Any other areas inaccessible after the
interior finish is installed must be handled in like manner.
Preparations – Existing Structure Exposed Attic: In joint areas, where
soffit vents are installed, the opening from attic into the soffit area may
be blocked by batt type insulation between and at the end of the joists
(See Figure 2). Insulation should not totally fill the space between ceiling
and roof. There should be a 1 inch (2.54 cm) opening next to the roof for
ventilation from the soffit area, a chute may be installed per this Section
and Figure 1B.
Rev. 11-14
Central Fiber
Clean & Xcell Loose-Fill Cellulose
Installation Instructions
Preparations – New and Existing Structure Exposed Attics:
Blocking should be placed around access to the attic to prevent insulation from falling out.
Blocking should be placed around recessed light or heating fixtures, chimneys and flues. Clearance between heat
producing elements and combustible construction should follow applicable codes. Blocking should be permanently
placed so as to keep insulation a minimum of 3 inches away from all sides of recessed lighting fixtures and other heatproducing devices. The open area above recessed lighting fixtures and other heat producing devices should not be
insulated per the Nation Electrical Code.
Cabinet bulkheads, stairway wells and wall cavities which open into the attic should be covered by backer board to
support the insulation.
Using a permanent marker and tape measure, mark rafters to the desired initial installed thickness. These marks can
be referenced when blowing in the insulation.
Install a rigid barrier around access hole at least as high as the insulation after installed. Place blowing machine on a
dry level surface.
If using a Force 1 blower, plug into grounded 110-volt outlet. If using a Force 2 blower, plug cords into two separate
grounded outlets on separate breakers. The agitator motor requires its own 20 amp breaker. Attach blowing hose to
the machine and move into area to be insulated along with the corded remote switch. Two people are required to do
the job safely - one person will be in the attic with the hose and remote blowing the insulation in place. The other
person will need to keep the hopper of the blower full of loose-fill insulation. Make sure the area around the hopper
is clean of construction debris. This will keep from damaging the machine when reusing the spilled insulation on the
floor.
Coverage Requirements: When installing insulation, care should be taken not to exceed the square foot coverage shown on
the “Coverage Table – Attic System Application (Horizontal)for 30 lb Bags” above and on the product label. The thickness
specified is the minimum thickness required for a given R-value. The initial installed thickness in exposed attic applications will
exceed the settled thickness shown on the coverage chart. The bag count and weight-per-square-foot requirements of the
coverage chart must be followed to provide the specified R-value at settled density.
Installation Instructions – Exposed Attic (Horizontal) Applications
Cellulose insulation may be applied in attics in both new and existing structures by the homeowner or experienced contractor
using a blowing machine that is available for rent at most big-box stores, specialty lumberyards and many tool rental centers.
When installing insulation by pneumatic means, it is important that the application machine be set and operated as
recommended by the machine manufacturer. The installer must wear a particulate respirator.
Accessible Attic Areas - Begin to insulate at the farthest point away from the attic access point of entry. Fill area to the
required thickness to obtain the required predetermined thermal-resistance keeping the blowing hose horizontal and close to
the installation surface. Warning: Only ceiling joists should be stepped on when working in attics, high risk of falling through
ceiling if drywall between ceiling joists is used as a walking surface. Use the markings on the rafters and a ruler to insure the
proper depth. Do not block soffits with insulation. Do not cover heat sources with insulation. Use all the insulation required to
achieve the required density and R value. Empty the machine when finished and return to the retailer. Only dislodge hopper
jams and clean out the machine when it is turned off and disconnected from the electrical power source!
Excerpts from CIMA Technical Bulletin #2 used with permission.
Rev. 11-14
Central Fiber
Clean & Xcell Loose-Fill Cellulose
Installation Instructions
Field Preparation – Sidewall (Vertical) and Enclosed Ceiling Cavity Applications in Existing Structures
Preliminary Inspection - An inspection of the building should be made
prior to installation. Special consideration should be given to the
following areas:
Weak areas of interior walls that may not be able to withstand
pressures during the filling operation should be reinforced or
filled using less pressure.
Walls with alteration, such as build-in bookshelves and
cabinets, which may create isolated cavities, will require special
entry holes.
Wall and ceiling cavities, which are used as air ducts for heating or air conditioning systems, must not be filled with
insulation.
Openings in heating or air conditioning air systems, in insulated areas, must have blocking placed around them but
not restricting air flow.
The external siding of existing buildings should be inspected for paint peeling or other evidence of moisture problems.
Insulation alone may not solve such problems. Other remedial actions may be necessary.
Do not fill enclosed ceiling cavities that contain recessed lighting, electrical fixtures and/or heat generating sources
such as chimneys and flues.
Preparations:
Holes in sidewalls, that would allow the insulation to escape, must be sealed.
Wall cavities, which open in basements or crawl spaces, must be sealed.
Small cavities around door and window frames should be insulated prior to the installation of the interior covering.
The material should not be forced into the cavity so tightly that frames are distorted.
Blocking should be placed around recessed light or heating fixtures, chimneys and flues. Clearance between heat
producing elements and combustible construction should follow applicable codes. Blocking should be permanently
placed so as to keep insulation a minimum of 3 inches away from all sides of recessed lighting fixtures and other heatproducing devices. The open area above recessed lighting fixtures and other heat producing devices should not be
insulated per the National Electrical Code.
Cabinet bulkheads, stairway wells and wall cavities which open into the attic should be covered by backer board to
support the insulation.
The open side of any wall between a heated and unheated area should be covered by backer board to form a cavity
to retain loose fill material (See Figure 3).
Place blowing machine on a dry level surface. If using a Force 1 blower, plug into grounded 110-volt outlet. If using a
Force 2 blower, plug cords into two separate grounded outlets on separate breakers. The agitator motor requires its
own 20 amp breaker. Attach blowing hose to the machine and move into area to be insulated along with the corded
remote switch. Two people are required to do the job safely - one person will be in the attic with the hose and
remote blowing the insulation in place. The other person will need to keep the hopper of the blower full of insulation.
Make sure the area around the hopper is clean of construction debris. This will keep from damaging the machine
when reusing the spilled insulation on the floor.
Coverage Requirements: When installing insulation in sidewalls and enclosed ceiling cavities, care should be taken not to
exceed the square foot coverage shown on the “Coverage Table – Sidewall Application (Vertical Wall) for 30 lb Bags” above
and on the product label. The specified coverage is based on stud systems 16” OC. The stud framing is included in the
coverage chart. The bag count and weight-per-square-foot requirements of the coverage chart must be followed to provide
the specified R-value at settled density.
Rev. 11-14
Central Fiber
Clean & Xcell Loose-Fill Cellulose
Installation Instructions
Installation Instructions - Sidewall (Vertical) and Enclosed Ceiling Cavity Applications in Existing Structures
Cellulose insulation may be applied in existing structure sidewalls and enclosed ceiling cavities by the homeowner or
experienced contractor using a blowing machine that is available for rent at most big-box stores, specialty lumberyards and
many tool rental centers. When installing insulation by pneumatic means, it is important that the application machine be set
and operated as recommended by the machine manufacturer. The installer must wear a particulate respirator.
Installation into sidewall and ceiling cavities must be made by
pneumatic means. The air setting on the machine should be sit as
recommended by the machine manufacturer according to the size
nozzle being used. After sill access holes are drilled, all cavities should
be checked for fire blocks or other obstructions with an electrician’s
fish tape or other similar tool. A mathematical check should be made in
the first few stud/joist space to assure that the proper amount of
insulation is being installed (See “Coverage Table – Sidewall Application
(Vertical Wall) for 30 lb Bags”).
Filling vertical walls through external siding in applications of this type, the following procedure is recommended. Drill holes
5/8 inch to 2 inches (1.59 to 5.08 cm) in diameter, depending on the siding, in each wall cavity. Vertical distance between the
holes and top or bottom plate should not exceed 2 feet (.62 m) and the vertical distance between holes should not exceed 5
feet (1.52 m). Homes with shingle or lapped siding should have the holes drilled as near the shadow line as possible. Homes
with brick veneer should have holes 5/8 inch to ¾ inch (1.59 to 1.9 cm) in diameter drilled in the mortar joints. All holes should
be filled with suitable plugs (See Figure 4).
Enclosed ceiling cavities must be completely filled by pneumatic means
accomplished by inserting a fill tube into each cavity and withdrawing it as the
cavity is filled. Filling with fill tube in some vertical wall applications is also
desirable. When using this method, only one entry hole per cavity is necessary.
The fill tube should be inserted far enough to reach within 18 inches (45.72 cm)
of the plate farthest from the point of entry. Fill tube size will depend upon the
size of hole which can be drilled. See Figures 5A and 5B for alternate points of
entry for the fill tube.
Excerpts from CIMA Technical Bulletin #2 used with permission.
Rev. 11-14
Central Fiber
Clean & Xcell Loose-Fill Cellulose
Installation Instructions
Installation Instructions - Sidewall (Vertical) and Enclosed Cavity (Cathedral Ceiling) Applications In New Construction
Central Fiber recommends the product in this application is installed by an experienced contractor.
The installer must wear a particulate respirator.
Recommended Equipment:
Sufficient quantity of ParPac Polyester Tire Cord Reinforced Vapor Barrier.
The correct number of bags of cellulose for the square foot coverage shown on the “Coverage Table – Sidewall
Application (Vertical Wall) for 30 lb Bags” above and on the product label.
Insulation machine with remote and accessories
Staple gun and 1” x ¾” chisel point staples
Utility knife to cut holes and open bags
Extension light with extra cord and flashlight
Preparations
Examine surfaces to be insulated. Verify that there are no voids, projections, foreign substances, or other items which
might interfere with the integrity of the complete wall system.
Assure that all rough plumbing, electrical conduit, outlet boxes, lighting fixtures and other items required to
penetrate the insulation are installed prior to the application of the insulation.
Examine the floor around areas to be insulated to ensure that all loose, foreign objects have been removed.
Block all openings that would permit the material to flow into undesired areas.
Air Sealing – Caulk all cracks and openings creating by plumbing and wiring to improve performance.
Electrical outlets must be taped off with duct tape before
installing polyester tire cord vapor barrier. After the barrier
is installed, circle the electrical boxes with a marker to find
them after the wall is blown.
Proceed with application after unsatisfactory conditions are
corrected.
The National Electrical Code states, “insulation shall not be
installed within 24 inches of the top or within 3 inches of the
side of recessed enclosures.” Backer board, metal shields or
similar heat barrier material must used to block around
recessed light fixtures, ballast transformers, exhaust fans, water heaters or any other heat generating devices. The
blocking must be at least 3 inches away from the heat source and 2 inches higher than the finished insulation depth.
Rev. 11-14
Central Fiber
Clean & Xcell Loose-Fill Cellulose
Installation Instructions
Installation
Staple it “drum skin” tight – Attach the see through ParPac
polyester tire core reinforced vapor barrier to the cavity that is to
be insulated using the “lip stitch” technique. Use 1” x ¾” chisel
point staples. The “Lip Stitch” technique wraps the face of each
stud to prevent cross migration of cellulose fiber. This technique
results in drum skin tight poly and eliminates pillowing. Staples
should be applied on 2 inch centers. Top plates are lip stitched in
the same manner as vertical studs. The staples draw the poly in
“drum skin” tight.
Do not cover recessed light fixtures, ballast transformers,
exhaust fans, water heaters or any other heat generating devices
with insulation.
Using a PVC pipe (attached to the 2 ½” blowing hose) as a “ram”
blow the lower ½ of the cavity first, and then blow the top ½.
Return to the bottom and reinsert the PVC tube and add additional
cellulose. Install insulation at a thickness that completely fills
cavities.
Ready to board – No delays! No pillowing! No settling!
Protection
Protect insulation from damage during construction.
Cover insulation with drywall, wood, or other finish wall panels.
Rev. 11-14