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October 9, 2017 - Today the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and the ACC-CPI Spray Foam Coalition (SFC) published their new guidance document entitled "Spray Foam Insulation and Termites". This document was developed by a collaborative effort through a termite task group within SPFA's Building Envelope Committee and the SFC's Research Workgroup. This document addresses questions pertaining to inspection for, and treatment of, potential termite infestations in buildings using SPF insulation. It provides basic information about termite identification, inspection and treatment methods as well as discusses the important of air-sealing and insulation of critical areas using SPF. It also presents code-compliant solutions to address these concerns. This document can be downloaded from the SPFA website at no cost, click the link below.
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The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the premiere 501(c)6 professional trade association and voice of the Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation and roofing industry, participated in the 20th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo. The event was held across three rooms in the US House Rayburn building in Washington DC, two dedicated exhibit rooms and one dedicated to a variety of panel sessions that took place throughout the day. It brought over 40 exhibitors together representing the leading voices in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and net-zero energy for a day of celebration of the principles, efforts, plans and dedication to the energy generation and use in our future-United States.
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SPFA, along with several other building insulation trade associations, is participating in a workgroup led by UL Environments to update the Product Category Rule (PCR) for Building Envelope Thermal Insulation in North America. A PCR is an consensus guidance document used to develop Environmental Product Declarations for a specific class of products (in this case all building insulations).
We are seeking member volunteers (interested parties) to review this updated PCR during the next several months. Volunteers from all SPFA membership categories are encouraged to participate, as this document includes assessment of the environmental impacts of insulation from all phases of the product life-cycle, including the extraction and processing of raw materials, chemical blending, packaging, distribution, installation and disposal. If you are interested in participating, please contact Rick Duncan at rickduncan@sprayfoam.org.
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A task group within the SPFA Roofing Committee has completed the development of a new SPFA TechDoc for installation of SPF Roofing with roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems. This new document provides an introduction to PV technology, design considerations, service and maintenance, warranty questions, applicable codes and standards and an overview of mounting options. The self-flashing properties of SPF roofing systems, along with superior energy savings, make SPF an excellent choice as a roofing system for any type of roof-mounted PC system. Free copies of this new TechDoc are available here. For questions or comments about this document, please contact Rick Duncan, SPFA Technical Director at rickduncan@sprayfoam.org or call 703-222-4269.
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SPFA-127 SPF Roof Systems Maintenance Manual has been updated by a Roofing Committee task group. The reorganized document contains improved photos and updated guidance to help customers and contractors get the most out of their SPF roof system. SPF roofing contractors are encouraged to share this with their customers. Many thanks to the task group for working diligently over the past year to deliver this important update. The group was led by Robb Smith and included the following volunteers: Bruce Schenke, Roger Morrison, Jason Hoerter, Chris West, Jack Moore and Jim Andersen.
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FSEC, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is conducting a study funded by the American Council Chemistry to learn about the performance of new homes with attics that have been sealed and insulated with spray foam insulation. What does participating involve? Participation involves scheduling a time during December 2017 or January 2018 for two FSEC staff members to visit your house to conduct airflow testing and place a sensor in your attic to measure temperature and moisture. The total visit should last less than three hours. FSEC staff will schedule a time with you to return and remove the sensors in July 2018. Why should I sign up? Collected data will inform researchers as to how conditions in sealed attics differ from conventional vented attics. You will also receive a $200 participation incentive. Contact Eric Martin at 321-638-1450 or e-mail martin@fsec.ucf.edu.
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Carlisle Construction Materials, LCC (CCM) has signed an agreement to purchase Accella Performance Materials (including all companies within Accella Performance Materials). We expect the purchase to be complete by the end of October. The attached press release provides additional details. Accella will operate as a separate and highly collaborative division within CCM.
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Icynene U.S. Holding Corp. ("Icynene") and Lapolla Industries Inc. ("Lapolla") (OTCQX: LPAD) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Icynene will acquire all the outstanding shares of Lapolla. The transaction is valued at approximately $160 million, including net debt.
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Arsenal Capital Partners ("Arsenal"), a leading private equity firm that invests in middle-market specialty industrials and healthcare companies, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Accella Performance Materials ("Accella"), a leading North American specialty polyurethane platform, to Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE: CSL) ("Carlisle") for $670 million.
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The use of spray polyurethane foam in insulation applications continues to surge. As a high-performance material for the envelope, SPF provides superb energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling demands up to 40 percent, while delivering the notable energy savings over the life of the structure. Additionally, the spray-applied material is notable for its ability to enhance indoor comfort and air quality, maintaining uniform indoor temperatures and preventing a wide variety of air contaminants from entering the structure.
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In a staggering statistic, nearly 26 million Americans suffer from asthma, including more than 7 million children. The chronic, often lifelong disease is not only serious, but can actually be life threatening to many. Those unfortunate to suffer with asthma can be affected daily by both natural and manmade triggers, which make breathing more difficult. Many of us assume that the majority of these triggers are encountered outdoors, but they are in fact often airborne and can (and do) infiltrate homes causing problematic and dangerous asthma attacks inside.
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A high-performance building envelope material. Sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) is increasingly used in commercial structures as an insulation and air barrier. Sprayfoam is playing a growing role in sustainable new construction, energy-enhancing retrofits, and even the net-zero energy movement.
Learn More...
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OSHA has released a new fact sheet explaining how the agency’s Confined Spaces in Construction standard affects common spaces in residential construction, such as attics, basements and crawl spaces. The fact sheet, developed after consultation with the National Association of Home Builders, and a detailed Frequently Asked Questions document, clarify some of the standard’s provisions and their application to residential construction work.
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Installing a new roof or repairing/replacing an existing roof can be significant expense for homeowners and business owners. In partnership with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, RICOWI (Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues) has published a new guidance document, developed by roofing experts, to help property owners, as well as inspectors, code officials, roofing consultants, roofing contractors and insurance professionals determine when roof replacement or repair is necessary.
The RICOWI Best Practice Roofing Guide is a web-based, free electronic resource. It can be easily accessed via the Internet by laptops, smartphones and tablets, and will be updated as more materials are provided by project partners, code changes are made, materials are enhanced or new materials are introduced, and as installation practices evolve and improve. The guide can be accessed here: https://disastersafety.org/ricowi-best-practices-guide/
The SPFA Roofing Committee formed a task group led by Roger Morrison to develop and review content related to spray foam roofing systems. SPF contractors can use this free guide to help with discussions with their customers. For more information contact Rick Duncan, SPFA Technical Director, at rickduncan@sprayfoam.org, or Bruce Schenke, SPFA Roofing Committee chair.
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Dec 30, 1936- Dec 6, 2017 Daniel "Dan" Benedict former Executive Director of SPFA passed away the afternoon of December 6, 2017 at the age of 81. Dan’s contributions to the SPF industry are many and can’t be counted on one page. From 1990 to 2007 Dan worked selflessly for the Spray Polyurethane Foam Industry helping to develop industry specifications and guidelines as Staff Director for the Literature Review Committee of PFCD (Polyurethane Foam Contractors Association) that later become the SPFA’s Technical Committee. He coordinated and promulgated much of the research on the performance of SPF that helped to show the many benefits of spray foam applications. His steady leadership as Executive Director enabled our industry to become more accepted and mainstream in the roofing and insulation construction community. The greater respect for SPF applications combined with research and professional guidelines helped spur the massive growth of SPF applications in the years after his retirement.
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The Spring issue of SPRAYFOAM Professional has been mailed and emailed! If you didn't receive it in your inbox or mailbox and would like to be on our email list to receive the digital link, sign up here.
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>> Welcome New SPFA Members >>2017-18 SPFA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide>>Member Benefits Green Leaf Insulation Inc – Mt. Prospect, IL Greenstamp Corporation – Waltham, MA Natural Polymers LLC – West Chicago, IL Stellrr Insulation & Spray Foam – Austin, TX Warwick Builders LLC t/a Warwick Roofing – Virginia Beach, VA
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New Year’s Resolution for 2018
Pursue PCP Certification
Start the New Year off right by completing or advancing your SPFA PCP Certification. All PCP Exam Prep Courses, Written Exams and Field Exams will be available in Mobile, AL at Sprayfoam 2018 Convention and Expo!
Thanks to the sponsors and the Sig Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund – all costs for the Field Exams are being waived for contractors so the field exams are now FREE to contractors!
Please note:
- You can take the SPF Assistant Webinar Course BEFORE you come to Mobile – that way you’ll be prepared to take the SPF Assistant Written Exam in Mobile. By taking the webinar course in the comfort of your home or office, you free up time to do something else in Mobile. We have a Convention Discount of $125 OFF the webinar (Use Promo code KRKM125). This course is available in both English and Spanish. More details about the course are at www.sprayfoam.org/certification.
For complete list of Field Exam Sponsors as well as all the PCP Exam Prep Courses, Written Exam and Field Exam Opportunities – click here!
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CEUs Available for all Breakout Sessions During Sprayfoam 2018
Track CEUs with Newly Designed PCP Form
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required for RECERTIFICATION in the PCP when you’ve completed your 7th year as a certified individual in the SPFA Certification Program. The individuals who were certified first, will need to recertify by December 31, 2019. Although that is far off with plenty of time to meet the CEU requirements --- we encourage you to download and save this attached form and fill it in with courses you’ve taken since you entered the program.
If you are attending Sprayfoam 2018 in Mobile – be sure to add the breakout sessions you attend to the attached form and keep track of the CEU’s you accrue through the years until you meet the required number which is listed below.
For those who have attended an SPFA convention since you’ve become certified, you can access a list of all the breakout sessions from previous conventions to help you remember the ones you attended. We have registration records indicating that you’ve attended the convention; however, this process is self-reporting so you’ll need to complete the form and submit when you’ve met the required number of CEU.
If you’ve attended one of the SPFA Foam-It-Right webinar series, be sure to list them. If you missed a webinar, you can listen to a recording of it (and still get CEU credit!). Go to the SPFA Member page on our website to access the webinars. If you’ve forgotten the names of webinars you’ve attended, this list will help refresh your memories. We have registration records for the webinars to verify attendance; however, since this process is self-reporting, please complete the form. If you aren’t a member, but you are enrolled in the PCP, you can also attend these webinars and access recordings, please contact Kelly Marcavage at kmarcavage@sprayfoam.org for details.
In addition to these SPFA opportunities for CEUs, there are many other ways to earn them. See the attached CEU Declaration Form (F-222-130) for more details.
It is easy to download form, fill in what you’ve done so far and just update it as you earn other CEUs. When you’ve met your requirement, please submit!
The following is a list of CEU requirements for each level:
Assistant - 10 CEU Project Manager - 25 CEU
Installer - 15 CEU Field Examiner - 25 CEU
Master Installer -20 CEU Supplier Representative - 25 CEU
NOTE: To recertify, you only need to meet the CEU requirement for your highest level of certification. For example, if you are a Project Manager AND a Master Installer, you only need a total of 25 CEUs to recertify both of those credentials. At the current time, twenty-five (25) CEUs is the maximum required, regardless of the number of certifications held.
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Lapolla Industries, Inc. announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2017. Financial highlights from Second quarter 2017 compared to second quarter 2016: net income increased by 29.4 percent, exceeding $2.15 million, spray foam sales increased 33.2 percent and overall sales increased by 30.7 percent, exceeding $26.25 million in revenue and gross profit increased by 12.4 percent to $6.87 million.
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International Fireproof Technology Inc. has issued three evaluation reports as compliant to IBC and IRC building codes and the the new SPF Acceptance Criteria AC377/AC456. Click the links below for the reports:
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Accella Polyurethane Systems LLC ("Accella") renews their focus on Polyurethane Spray Foam and Roof Coating Systems; focusing on low slope and flat roof commercial coatings for new and restoration construction.
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SprayWorks Equipment Group has launched a new online store, complete with a fully responsive website to help with consistency between different devices and a fully searchable mobile view. In addition to the new store, SprayWorks is also offering special discounts to celebrate.
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Honeywell announced that Eric Gladson of Integrity Plus Insulation in Ogema, Wisconsin, is the Grand Prize winner of the "Hit a Foam Run" promotion. Gladson wins an all-expenses paid trip for two to the Professional Baseball Game of Stars in Miami, July 2017 ($7,000 estimated value).
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Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (Firestone) today announced its acquisition of Gaco Western (Gaco), a leader in innovative silicone roofing systems and provider of top-tier waterproofing and spray foam insulation.
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Tenex Capital Management is pleased to announce it has completed an investment transaction in SES Foam LLC of Houston, TX, effective on September 9, 2016.
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U.S. Government Affairs> FY2018 Federal Funding > U.S. Department of Energy Requests Input on Energy Conservation Standards GGAC Regional and Chapter Activities> U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space & Technology Holds Hearing on Solar Energy Technology
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ASTM International has, under the leadership of SPFA’s Dr. Duncan, SPFA members and SPF industry professionals, announced the completion and approval of a new standard entitled Standard Practice for Installation of High-Pressure Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation for the Building Enclosure. This practice covers the installation of high-pressure spray polyurethane foam (SPF) as an insulation for building enclosure assemblies including: walls, ceilings, attics, floors and crawl spaces. This practice does not apply to SPF used strictly as a component for an air barrier system or for SPF used in roofing applications. The Standard can be purchased by ASTM here. If you have any questions please direct them to Dr. Duncan.
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See what's in store, as far as industry events, expos, training classes, online courses, certification programs and more.
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