CERTIFICATION:
SPFA met with the EPA and other federal agencies last month to present upon its development and deployment plans for the new Sprayfoam Professional Certification Program. This program is planned to be an ANSI/ISO 17024 standards compliant Quality Assurance Program (QAP) that will offer model curriculum for training programs, testing of knowledge, skills and abilities of SPF professionals, and field examinations. It will be the best measure of professionalism in the industry and serve the SPF professional by producing an avenue of distinction for those who complete the program. SPFA requested feedback on the program from EPA to be certain it is the most comprehensive and complete program available. The program will be rolled-out at the 2013 SPFA Annual Convention and Expo in Jacksonville, Fla., February 12-13.
OUTREACH:
SPFA presented upon two landmark topics at the 2012 Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga., recently. In one session, SPFA members and staff provided an overview of the forthcoming Sprayfoam Professional Certification Program to a standing-room-only crowd of interested polyurethane manufacturers. Later that same day, SPFA’s Rick Duncan presented upon completion and final report of the new SPF Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA represents over two years of work among members, staff and LCA professional practitioners and represents a huge milestone in the economic and environmental validation of SPF.
SPFA’s Rick Duncan provided a presentation on behalf of the CPI Sprayfoam Coalition at the 2012 Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) Annual Conference last week. Possibly the best-attended session, Dr. Duncan informed the attendees on specifics regarding retrofits for attics and crawlspaces. Over 20 minutes of technical and insightful questions followed the session.
TECHNICAL SERVICES:
SPFA recently announced completion of a two-year project resulting in publication of an industry-first complete, ISO-compliant Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for SPF in North America. LCAs have a variety of purposes and are in demand for certain sustainable building program credits around the nation. But more importantly this represents a method to validate the overwhelmingly positive impact on energy, and other environmental factors that SPF insulation and roofing systems provide. It enables an “apples to apples” opportunity of comparison for other insulation technologies willing to put in the time, cost and effort to similarly assess their products under the new North American Product Category Rules for Insulation. “In its typical nature, SPF has again found itself in the leadership position of defining the benchmark for excellence,” said Dr. Richard Duncan, Director of Technical Services for SPFA. “The body of work proudly produced by the industry in this regard is exceptional and puts SPF ahead of competing technologies yet again.”
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NAHB's Eye on the Economy
NAHB's chief economist and staff experts discuss economics and housing policy in this blog.
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New Members This Quarter
Bovio Advanced Comfort & Energy Solutions; Coatings Application & Waterproofing of Illinois; Coatings Application & Waterproofing of Indiana; Distinctive Roofing, LLC; Guardian Building Products; Installed Building Products; Installtec, Inc. dba; Foam-Rite Insulation; Minnick’s; North East Spray Foam; PermaDri, Inc.; Raders Insulation Express, LLC; SES Foam, Inc.; Thermaseal/Lakeside Insulation; Next Generation Power; The Spray Market
Lost Members This Quarter
Anderson Insulation, Inc.; Conservation Services Group; DAS Products, Inc.; Evergreen Insulation Inc.; Flame Control Coatings, LLC; GDA Consulting, LLC; Homeway Homes; Seward Sales Corp.; Urethane Foam Operations; Wilserv
For additional membership updates, click here.
For details on member benefits or joining, click here.
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Huntsman's VITROX® Composite Resins Win CPI 2012 Polyurethane Innovation Award
Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) announced that its VITROX® Composite Resins product has received the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry’s (CPI) 2012 Polyurethane Innovation Award. This award recognizes companies and individuals whose dedicated efforts bring new products, technologies and initiatives to the marketplace.
Attendees at the opening session of the 2012 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, which ran from Sept. 24 to 26 in Atlanta, were given the opportunity to vote for one award finalist. The winner was announced during the closing session.
“There is no greater honor than to be recognized as an innovator among such an impressive group of our peers," said Keith Day, Vice President Global Business Development, Huntsman Polyurethanes. "We look forward to continuing to provide the industry and our customers with innovative products and solutions. VITROX Composite Resins are the world's first polyurethanes-based pipe repair resins used in a cure-in-place pipe application. This process is more affordable and efficient compared to traditional waste water pipe repair methods."
During the cure-in-place pipe (CIPP) installation, a resin-saturated felt liner made of polyester is inverted into a damaged pipe using compressed air or water. Steam or hot water is then applied to the saturated liner, aiding the resin to cure, which allows a seal to be created inside the damaged pipe. This process allows significant time and cost-savings in the repair of broken waste water pipes. VITROX Composite Resins provide an adjustable pot life, a long handling window and fast curing time.
For the 2012 Polyurethane Innovation Award, judges evaluated and scored all entries based on the impact on the polyurethanes industry, uniqueness of the innovation, quality of the science and societal impact.
Huntsman Polyurethanes provides MDI-based polyurethanes solutions across an extensive range of applications and market sectors. Its products deliver high performance insulation, comfort, adhesion, protective coatings and more.
For questions about VITROX resins, email vitrox@huntsman.com. For more more information about Huntsman, click here.
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Life-Cycle Cost and Commissioning Requirements for Federal Buildings Gain Support in the U.S. House
Efforts to promote life-cycle cost considerations and building commissioning gained an important victory when a subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved two amendments to the Public Buildings Reform Act (H.R.6430).
Offered by U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the two amendments were drawn from the Congressman’s High-Performance Federal Buildings Act (H.R.3371). One of the amendments would require GSA to consider life-cycle costs during the design of buildings for structures whose estimated construction costs top $1 million, and where the federal government is paying more than half of the construction expenses. Under the bill, life-cycle costs would include the sum of investment, capital, installation, energy, operating, maintenance, and replacement expenses over the greater of either 50 years or the projected use period of the building. The amendment would also require GSA to report on life-cycle cost savings for buildings that GSA acquires or leases.
Mr. Carnahan’s other amendment would require GSA to issue regulations that establish federal building commissioning standards that are modeled on existing private sector standards and guidelines, which could include ASHRAE Guideline 0 – The Commissioning Process. Buildings that GSA constructs or alters would be required to meet the commissioning standards GSA issues.
While these victories should be celebrated, the future of the Public Buildings Reform Act, which now includes Mr. Carnahan’s amendments, remains uncertain, as the bill still faces approval from the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee before being considered on the House floor for passage, and would then need to overcome similar hurdles in the Senate. Given the congested post-election Congressional agenda, hope for this bill may indeed be slim, though still present, as these issue have bipartisan support.
This article is from ASHRAE's Government Affairs Update, which features information on government affairs-related activities of interest to ASHRAE members and others interested in the built environment. Archives of previous updates are available from the Government Affairs website.
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RESNET Launches Web Page on the HERS Index and Building Energy Codes
From Idaho to New York state and local code jurisdictions have incorporated a HERS Index Score option to their building energy codes. Home energy raters, builders and efficiency advocates played a key role in this development.
To provide a resource for other communities RESNET has posted a new web page “The HERS Index as a Performance Path to Building Energy Codes”. The web page includes information on why code jurisdictions are adding a HERS Index Score target as a compliance option to their energy codes and a listing of jurisdictions that have a HERS Index Score option with links to the local codes.
To view the new web page go to The HERS Index as a Performance Path to Building Energy Codes.
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October 12, 2012 — SPFA will be delivering this webinar to RESNET members and HERS Raters around the country.
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Preventing Subcontractor Default: Prequalify and Mitigate to Survive
After years of extreme financial stress, subcontractor default rates have recently spiked. It is critically important for General Contractors to take proactive steps during the underwriting and job performance phases to protect the bottom line. Learn best practices to prequalify your subcontractors and suppliers, and the early warning signs of default. Understand the balance between getting the best prices in today’s extremely competitive environment and mitigating risk and quality control. Register for this webinar and you will learn:
• Why subcontractor and suppliers go out of business and recent trends
• The ramifications of subcontractor default and mitigation steps to take
• Best practices to prequalify subcontractors and how ConsensusDocs prequalification forms can be a resource
• To identify the early warning signs of possible contractor bankruptcy
• To manage potential problems earlier on, and communicate accordingly.
Cost
$99 - Members
$129 - Non-Members
Speakers
• Donald F. Naber
Sr. Vice President - Director of Risk Management
Gilbane Building Company
• Gabriel Valls
Senior Account Executive
Zurich North America - Construction
Moderator
• Brian Perlberg
Senior Counsel for Construction Law
AGC of America
To register, click here.
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VersaFlex Announces Fall 2012 Polyurea Training Schedule
VersaFlex Inc.'s 2012 Polyurea Training Series will continue this fall with the first three levels of the program scheduled from November 5-9. The courses will be held at VersaFlex's facility in Houston, Texas, and headed by Dudley Primeaux, VersaFlex's Director of Education and Development.
The Level 3 class on Polyurea Products, will take place on November 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The course will focus on VersaFlex's vast palette of coating, lining and concrete repair products. Attendees will learn about product usage from real world project profiles. Level 3 is free to attend.
Level 1, Fundamentals of Polyurea, will take place on November 6, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class will cover on the basics of polyurea processing technology, including a spray demonstration included. Attendees will get a better understanding of polyurea's advantages and benefits, case histories, application techniques, and end used requirements. The one day course is excellent for engineers, architects, specifiers, sales representatives, purchasing agents, applicators and owners. Level 1 is $200 to attend.
Level 2, Spray Applicator Training, will take place from November 7-9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on September 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The comprehensive polyurea technology course gives a more in-depth overview of polyurea issues on a variety of topics ranging from equipment and troubleshooting, to repair and maintenance, to substrate preparation and priming, among other topics. The course is ideal for those who would like to understand polyurea technology and its place in the variety of coating options available today. Level 2 is only available to those who have taken the Level 1 course and costs $900 to attend.
The classes also include printed training materials, plus a light breakfast and lunch daily. As always, a dress code of long pants and close-toed shoes applies. Class sizes are limited to 15 participants, so don't hesitate to register.
For details, contact Sharon Garcia, VersaFlex Incorporated, 686 South Adams Street, Kansas City, KS 66105; 913-321-9000; sharon@polyvers.com.
Click here to register online.
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"Introduction to Air Barriers" provides an overview of the performance requirements of air barrier materials, assemblies, and systems, and includes a discussion on relevant building code requirements. This course AIA and state credits and qualifies for HSW. Please check course specifications for all available credit and details: www.aecdaily.com/sponsor/abaa
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