LICENSING | SPFA PCP Discussions in New Mexico -- SPFA and the Sprayfoam Coalition of ACC co-hosted a roundtable meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., on August 25 to discuss the state’s movement toward requiring SPFA PCP certifications as license. Approximately 50 people participated in the discussion in person and online.

Sprayfoam 2016 planning is well underway! Exhibit spaces and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Please click here to see the exhibitor brochure for more information.

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>>OSHA's New Rule on Confined Spaces Went Into Effect Aug. 3; Full Enforcement Begins Oct. 2

Dr. Richard Duncan, Technical Director at SPFA, sheds some light on the new OSHA standard related to confined spaces, which went into effect August 3, 2015.

The fall issue of SPRAYFOAM Professional was just wrapped up and you should see it in your mailbox soon. The digital version is already available! If you are not on our email list to receive the digital link, sign up here. Some articles in this issue include:
THREAT SURVEY: SPFA Reveals Results of Industry survey
CONSIDERING CANADA? Guide to Spraying Foam in Canuck Country
CONTRACTOR AWARDS: COMMERCIAL WALL FOAM - Foam-Tech Insulation Service
INSURANCE: Know Your Needs, Watch Out for Exclusions
SPEAKING SENSIBLY: How to Address a Retrofit SPF Job Properly
SAFETY FIRST: OSHA Publishes New Standard for Confined Spaces
ASK THE EXPERT: Applying SPF on Concrete
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

>>Free Safety Webinar for SPFA Members - Sept. 2
>>Updates on New Mexico's Proposed Regulatory Licensing Requirement
>>2015-16 SPFA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide
>>SPFA Member Benefits

The Contractor Industry Excellence Awards recognize SPFA contractor members’ exceptional accomplishments for the quality of their work, the uniqueness of the project, speed of application, superiority of polyurethane, ability of foam to conform to unusual/irregular surfaces, and special safety considerations.

Source: buildingscience.com / Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., ASHRAE Fellow
Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious. And sometimes the not so obvious becomes obvious. For example, installing leaky ductwork in a vented attic is a pretty dumb idea. It leads to negative pressures and high air change that, depending on the time of year and climate zone, results in part load humidity problems, ice damming, excessive energy use, loss of comfort, whatever. If radon were valuable we would mine it this way. Where there is an attached garage we call it the Kevorkian option. Everyone pretty much gets it...

Source: gacowestern.com / Craig Messer
Some of the questions answered in this Q&A include: What is the first thing I should do before operating my ambient air pump? What does a rise on the pressure gauge mean? Can I use two different hose lengths from the pump to the respirator(s)? What do I do if motor fails to start or hums?

>>Details on New Mexico's Proposed Regulatory Licensing Requirement - Sept. 14
>>Upcoming PCP Exam Prep Courses

The State Net Capitol Journal contains timely and pertinent information for almost every business owner in every state.
Volume XXIII, No. 26, Aug. 24, 2015

Federal Activities
>Does Policymaking Halt While Members of Congress Are Away?
>EPA Launches Intense Education Effort Use of Energy Efficiency in Clean Power Plan
>Request for Information Issued on Building Diagnostic Technologies
>Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee to Meet in September to Discuss Priority Issues
GGAC Regional and Chapter Activities
>ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 Included in New York City Regulations
>NYSERDA Convenes Working Group to Create a National Building Energy Label
>Montgomery County (Maryland) Green Bank Information Session

EPA has reviewed four structurally similar flame retardant chemical clusters and announced the availability and opening of a 60-day public comment period for three Problem Formulations and Initial Assessments, and a 120-day comment period for a Data Needs Assessment document. These assessments were conducted under the Toxic Substances Control Plan (TSCA) Work Plan assessment effort.
Problem Formulations and Initial Assessments:
-Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), also known as Brominated Bisphenol A
-Chlorinated Phosphate Esters
-Cyclic Aliphatic Bromides/Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) cluster
Data Needs Assessment: This document addresses the Brominated Phthalates (TBB and TBPH) cluster of flame retardants that are used in polyurethane foam products.

Source: americanchemistry.com
SPF was recently featured in a competition for graduate and undergraduate students, along with faculty advisers, to design a high-performance, energy-efficient home that can offset the majority – if not all – of its annual energy consumption. SPF’s versatility and effectiveness was showcased throughout the competition this year as four of the five grand winner finalists incorporated SPF in their designs to combat air leakage and prevent heat transfer.

Source: multibriefs.com / Piyush Baksh
In an article published Aug. 25, 2015, about ways to save on energy costs in warehouses, sprayed foam insulation was specifically mentioned: "Sprayed foam insulation is two times as efficient as traditional batt insulation." Insulation was named one of the top three ways to increase energy efficiency, cut costs and reduce the carbon footprint in warehouses.

>>2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) to Consolidate ICC, ASHRAE Standards
>>Building Codes Assistance Project Updates on Building Energy Codes

>>News from the Building Technologies Office
>>U.S. DOE Building America Update

See what's in store, as far as industry events, expos, training classes, online courses, certification programs and more.

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