SPFA Training & Certification

Since SPFA completed development of the SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP) and publicly rolled it out at its annual convention and expo in February, the response has been overwhelming. SPFA members and partners -- including Gaco Western, Premium Spray Systems, Demilec, Bayer Material Science, and the ABAA Conference -- have all hosted testing sessions. More sessions were scheduled or are upcoming at CertainTeed, Spray Foam Nation, Conklin, Premium Spray Systems, Quadrant Urethanes, and NCFI, with more being added continually. SPFA is working presently on the development of a Contractor, Distributor and Manufacturer Firm Accreditation program to complement the new certification program. To find out more about the program, enroll, register for a test, or get set up for one of the upcoming testing locations, email admin@spfapcp.org or call (866) 222-5000 and simply state what you want to do.

Spray Foam Nation is offering a 5-Day SPFA training class in Connecticut where you can get SPFA certified. Contractors will be able to take prep courses and exams that will earn them SPFA Certification for various levels (Assistant, Installer, Master Installer & Project Manager).

Day 1: SPFA Assistant Certification – prep course and exam

Day 2: SPFA Installer Certification – prep course and exam

Day 3: Equipment Training

Day 4: Equipment Training/HERS/Medical evaluation*

Day 5: SFN Test/Spray Day

*Medical exam is for lung test/Spirometry Exam and is administered by an MD but is not administered at all of our locations.

NOTE: If you are a current SPFA member, you are eligible for a discount on the exam and prep course. Please call us and after we have verified your membership, we will provide you with a discount code to use. You are not required to take the SPFA exams. If you are interested in taking the classes without the SPFA exam, we have that option available as well as an option to come Tuesday only for the equipment training class. Please call us to find out the fees for these other options.

For details, call (877) 939-2800.

"Gaco Western supports the SPFA Professional Certification Program because we believe that industry-

wide certification is crucial to the long term health of the SPF Industry - we also believe that our commitment to this certification needs to start with us," stated Peter Davis, Chairman and CEO, Gaco Western. "At Gaco, we believe in continually raising the bar on safety, performance, quality and professionalism in the SPF industry," added Tom Sojak, Vice President-GacoWallFoam.

Gaco Western is introducing a GacoWallFoam Qualified Applicator Program patterned after the new SPFA Professional Certification Program. Gaco believes the SPFA Professional Certification Program combined with the company's own Qualified Applicator Program will contribute greatly to the success of Gaco's contractors.

A significant element of both the SPFA Professional Certification Program and the GacoWallFoam Qualified Applicator Program is a commitment to make sure that 300 additional SPFA Certification Exams are completed by October 1, 2014. To make the process of becoming SPFA Certified easier, Gaco will be offering additional training opportunities, simplifying the registration and administration process, and subsidizing the cost of the program for Gaco contractors.

Davis commented, "The SPFA Professional Certification Program is too important for our industry for the program not to be successful. The industry as a whole needs to stop talking about it and start taking action. Gaco has committed to a number - 300 - and I challenge the other system houses and sprayfoam manufacturers to do the same. The future of our industry depends on it."

SFC Supports New SPFA Professional Certification Program

The Spray Foam Coalition (SFC) of the American Chemistry Council announced its support of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance's (SPFA) new Professional Certification Program for sprayfoam applicators. The Coalition strongly supports this new program that will continue to expand the ongoing efforts of the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) industry to create the highest standards of quality and professionalism for its customers.

"The SPF industry has for many years and will continue to support the safe and appropriate use of SPF," said SFC Senior Director Lee Salamone. "SPFA has created a first-rate certification program to continually raise the bar on safety, performance, quality and professionalism among SPF industry professionals and help give building owners confidence when choosing an SPF applicator."

SPFA launched its new Professional Certification Program at the Spray Foam 2013 Convention &

Expo. The program was developed in compliance with the ANSI/ISO 17024 standard. Individual certifications will be available at four different levels in the two categories of insulation and roofing. To become certified under SPFA's new program, individuals must pass an exam and meet various criteria for any level of certification they would like to achieve. It is a progressive program with each level based on the candidate passing the exam for the previous level.

SPF is an excellent insulation choice for building owners. It insulates and acts as an air barrier, both of which are critical to making buildings comfortable and reducing heating and cooling costs.

To learn more about SPF, visit www.whysprayfoam.org.

Demilec USA Holds SPFA Certification Seminar

Demilec USA, LLC held a preparatory seminar in June to assist contractors and installers to certify under the SPFA Professional Certification Program. The goal was to prepare the attendees to take the SPFA examinations for the various levels of installer (applicator) certification, plus there was a day of business training and a full day of hands-on training including spray technique, troubleshooting and equipment maintenance. On the final day of training, all students had the opportunity to take the tests for any of the SPFA certifications. For details on future SPFA Certification training with Demilec, click here.