>>SPFA Technical Director Speaks at IBS Session on Insulation
SPFA's Technical Director Dr. Richard S. Duncan was one of the speakers at a session at IBS 2015, the NAHB International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. Along with C.R. Herro of Meritage Homes and Martins Pecholcs of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Duncan discussed the topic "Insulation: From Spec Through Inspection, Steps to a Versatile High Performance Solution" on Jan. 20. The moderator was Justin Koscher of the American Chemistry Council and Spray Foam Coalition. Read more here.
>>California DTSC Corrects Misinformation About SPF
SPFA Pleased with Corrections, but Continues to Represent Industry in the Fight to De-list the Product Completely from the Agency Process Aimed at Potential Product Regulation
The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), a leading voice representing spray polyurethane foam industry contractors, manufacturers and the complete product value chain, is pleased to announce that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has completed corrections to the public documents distributed by the agency as part of the Safer Consumer Products Priority Products Initiative. Corrections completed by the DTSC include the deletion, or adjustment, of inaccurate facts about the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) product, its chemical components and safety. The SPFA, along with partner organizations representing a resolute coalition of homebuilders, building performance professionals and systems manufacturers, had previously made requests to the Department in person during a series of public workshops and in submitted letters, as part of the formal process surrounding the state’s Priority Products Initiative.
As part of the DTSC’s corrections, changes have been made to the publicly distributed Priority Product Profile for SPF, in addition to the scope of the Department’s activity. Corrections include:
-- The Department has altered the definition of "Spray Polyurethane Foam Systems", narrowing it to include only pressurized two-component systems utilized to make SPF. Additionally, the definition includes two-component systems marketed for insulation and roofing applications, however now excludes roof coatings.
-- The Department has excluded one-component spray polyurethane foam systems sold in cans from the official Scope of Products being evaluated.
-- The DTSC has removed HDI and TDI, isocyanates utilized in some elastomeric roof coatings but not in the A-side of SPF systems, from the scope of the Chemicals of Concern documentation.
-- The Department has deleted certain reference documents from the Priority Product File.
-- The DTSC revised the contentious and incorrect statement found on page 6 of the Product Profile that read "diisocyanates are the leading attributable cause of asthma in the workplace" to state "exposure to diisocyanates in the workplace can cause asthma." SPFA has long contended that California’s own CDC data (p. 104) tracking all of the sources of Occupational Asthma, indicates the incorrectness of their statement.
"The SPFA is pleased that these critical changes were completed to these public documents, as the facts put forth in the initial documents were grossly incorrect and have caused irreparable harm to our members and the building industry in the state of California," said Kurt Riesenberg, executive director of the SPFA. "However, the SPFA and its members believe that spray polyurethane foam was unjustly selected for the Safer Consumer Products Initiative because it is not a consumer product, but rather a professionally installed product, and because the information used by the DTSC in the selection process was so faulty. Furthermore, any safety concern surrounding the installation of SPF is a worker issue and is already being addressed by US OSHA under the Isocyanates National Emphasis Program. It is for these reasons that the SPFA believes it should be de-listed from the DTSC Priority Products Initiative process altogether."
Next steps in the Department’s Priority Products evaluation process include the establishment of the Final Priority Product List, an Alternatives Analysis and a Regulatory Response (which could range among a number of rules and regulations regarding the use of SPF in California). The SPFA will actively participate in the process at all stages on behalf of its member constituents and the spray polyurethane foam industry at-large.
"Our members in California continue to face unwarranted scrutiny because of the inclusion of SPF in the Priority Products Initiative and the SPFA will continue to fight to have it removed," added Riesenberg. "The process has not only damaged the business of our California members, but it has called into question the state of California’s ability to achieve its stated net-zero energy goal by 2020. Spray polyurethane foam outperforms competing building materials in energy efficiency, but is being simultaneously promoted and persecuted by two sides of the same state that needs it to achieve this aggressive energy goal."
>>SPFA Forms Marketing Committee
SPFA formed a Marketing Committee -- co-chaired by Mac Sheldon and Ridge Stockdale -- and there are opportunities for SPFA members to be involved. If you would like to be involved in promoting, protecting and growing the SPF industry, and helping SPFA do the same, please reach out to Kurt Riesenberg, SPFA Executive Director.
Some of the initial goals of the committee are to:
- Provide input to SPFA’s SPRAYFOAM Professional magazine & bi-weekly newsletter for future articles, topics, authors, new areas
- Consider/establish consistent industry messaging for various audiences – architects, specifiers, builders, general contractors, code officials
-Establish regular informational webinars on SPF (safety, PPE, OSHA, fire testing, introduction to foam, decoding thermal and ignition barriers, building science, troubleshooting, etc)
-Utilize SPFA’s deep list of previously-submitted projects (Annual Awards Program) to construct dozens of success stories and promotional material
>>SPFA's Board Members
SPFA's Board of Directors for the 2014-2016 term include:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Mr. Dennis Vandewater, Sadler Coating Systems (IA)
Vice President: Mr. John Achille, Coastal Insulation (NJ)
Treasurer: Mr. Richard Spiess, Innovative Insulation Solutions (IL)
Immediate Past President: Mr. Robert (Bob) Duke, Carolina Comfort Foam
BOARD MEMBERS
Contractor Officer Seats (6):
Ms. Bonnie Strickler, Puff Inc. (VA)
Mr. Ron Winkle, Western Pacific Roofing (CA)
Mr. Larry Ash, United Thermal Systems (NY)
Mr. Tyler Fiske, Anchor Insulation (RI)
Mr. Bryan Heldreth, RPC (VA)
Ms. Tiffiny Flaim, Biofoam Inc. (IL)
Non-Contractor Officer Seats (6):
Mr. Joe Stockdale, Bayer Material Science (TX)
Ms. Mary Bogdan, Honeywell (NY)
Mr. Mitch Clifton, NCFI (NC)
Mr. Mac Sheldon, Demilec Inc. (TX)
Mr. Nick Pagano, Graco Inc. (MN)
Mr. Tom Sojak, Gaco Western (WI)
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>>Legalization of Marijuana - Feeling the Effects in a Zero-Tolerance Industry
Source: agc.org / Katie Kuehnew-Hebert
Using marijuana – whether for medical or recreational reasons – is becoming legal in more and more states, causing contractors to double-down on their zero-tolerance policies. Read more here. Reprinted with permission from Constructor, January/February 2015, a publication of the Associated General Contractors of America.
>>ASHRAE Recognizes Outstanding Industry Achievements
Source: ashrae.org
Sixty-six people were recognized for their contributions to the Society and the built environment industry at ASHRAE’s 2015 Winter Conference, Jan. 24-28, Chicago, Ill. Read more here.
>>Solar Foundation Report: Solar Energy Jobs Surged in 2014
Source: energy.gov
The U.S. solar industry added more than 31,000 jobs in 2014, according to the National Solar Jobs Census, which was released on January 15 by The Solar Foundation. The annual total represents a nearly 22% growth in solar industry employment since November 2013, according to The Solar Foundation, a nonprofit focusing on education about the solar industry. Overall, the solar industry now supports more than 173,000 U.S. solar energy jobs. The report, derived from data collected from more than 7,600 U.S. businesses, measured employment growth in the solar industry between November 2013 and November 2014. See The Solar Foundation website for the report and census, and the Energy Department news release. >>2014 Ranks as Earth's Warmest Since 1880
Source: nasa.gov
The year 2014 ranks as Earth’s warmest since 1880, according to two separate analyses by NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists. The 10 warmest years in the instrumental record, with the exception of 1998, have now occurred since 2000. This trend continues a long-term warming of the planet, according to an analysis of surface temperature measurements by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York.
In an independent analysis of the raw data, also released Friday, NOAA scientists also found 2014 to be the warmest on record. Read more here.
>>DOE to Address High-Performance Enclosure Strategies
Source: energy.gov
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America program will be hosting a free webinar on Feb. 12: High-Performance Enclosure Strategies, Part I: Unvented Roof Systems and Innovative Advanced Framing Strategies. The webinar will focus on methods to design and build roof and wall systems for high performance homes that optimize energy and moisture performance. Presenters for this webinar include Joe Lstiburek, Building Science Corporation, and Vladimir Kochkin, Home Innovation Research Labs. The presentations will be followed by an interactive Q&A session where participants will have an opportunity to submit questions. Click here to register. Date/Time: February 12, 2015; 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern.
>>Home Performance Industry Predictions for 2015
Source: energycircle.com / Peter Troast
A few of the experts in the industry share their take on what 2015 has in store. From economic and political trends, to the impact technology will have on our day to day business, this is a full view of what to expect in the year to come. Some of the topics include: Instrumentation and Technology Working Together, Adjusting to Changing Priorities, Investments in Large-scale Residential, Expanding Market with Access to Financing, Defining Our Terminology To Cut Through the Confusion, Sales & Marketing Skills to the Fore, Technology Will Power the Industry, Important Consumer Upgrades, and more! Read more here.
>>Introducing the Attachments Energy Ratings Council
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) has launched the Attachments Energy Ratings Council (AERC). Fenestration attachments are a cost-effective way to reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings. Attachments have the potential to save a significant amount of energy due to their low cost and the rapid turnover of the installed base.
DOE has awarded WCMA cost-shared funding to develop a certification and rating program for residential and commercial fenestration attachment products. To that end, WCMA has established the AERC, which will design and administer a new energy rating and certification program for the fenestration attachment products. AERC will gather market and technical data that will be used to develop credible rating, certification, labeling, and performance verification procedures that will be adopted by the window attachments industry. This information will help consumers understand how well different window attachment products conserve energy. To learn more,visit www.wcmanet.org/aerc.
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>>LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- Turbulence Coming on
Immigration and Regulations
>>SAFETY FIRST -- SPFA Drafts Safety Program for Member Use
>>ASK THE EXPERT -- Measuring Thermal Barrier Coating Thickness
>>WHY I SUPPORT SPF by Ty Pennington
>>HOW TO MAKE MONEY AND HAVE FUN DOING IT by Mac
Sheldon
>>SPF INDUSTRY PREPPING FOR CODE CHANGES IN SWEDENby Shani Calvo
>>WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FILE IN 2015 by
Kendall Coleman
>>TIPS ON SPRAYING FOAM -- Are You Doing It Right?
>>10 WAYS YOUR COMPANY CAN USE INSTAGRAM by Kelly
Donovan Clark
>>Search for specific keywords or phrases.
>>Flag favorite articles.
>>Make notes in the margins.
>>Connect with vendors quickly and easily.
If you do not receive SPRAYFOAM Professional in the mail or via email and would like to be on future distribution lists, click here to sign up.
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Be sure to
download the SPFA Sprayfoam 2015 Convention App while you are at the show!
Search "Sprayfoam 2015" in the App Store or Google Play Store.
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>>2014-15 SPFA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide Available Online
Members in good standing are listed in this publication, which is mailed out every September. This directory is also available in a digital format The convenient digital format allows users to navigate and access the directory's content quickly and easily, on the road or in the office. Use the information provided to contact fellow SPFA members and industry partners throughout the year to share ideas, ask questions, or just stay in touch.
>>SPFA Member Benefits
SPFA knows there are lots of organizations out there that would like to have you in their membership. But if you are in, or getting into, the sprayfoam business, we are the place for you. We work hard to represent you well and give you value back for your support. Click here to find out more.
Available on the SPFA website, the SPFA Membership Brochure highlights some of the various benefits of membership and activities of the organization as it pursues its mission to represent SPF professionals in areas of technical and environmental leadership, government advocacy, professional certification, industry promotion and outreach, and delivery of a world-class convention and expo. Please check out the brochure if you have been considering joining SPFA and support our mission to serve you. For more information or to access the application to join, please click here.
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>>A New Year’s Resolution
Sprayfoam 2015 Certification Courses, Written Exams and
Field Exams are the culmination of three years’ worth of work by the SPFA PCP’s
committees.
With the new year, my resolution is to involve new people
into the PCP. For the past three years,
a dedicated team of SPFA Members have worked tirelessly to create and implement
the program. These experienced PCP
committee "veterans" can help mentor newcomers into the PCP fold. As we all know, more hands will lighten the
load!
New SPFA members who have checked off "Certification
Committee" on their membership application will be hearing from me soon about
the different volunteer opportunities. I
invite all other SPFA Members to email me and I’ll add you to the list!
I look forward to hearing from you!
Kelly Marcavage, SPFA PCP Certification and Training Director
>>SPFA PCP Exam Prep Courses and Exams
January 26-27, 2015 -- Albuquerque, NM
Hosted by SPFA
January 27-30, 2015 -- Chatham, NJ
Ongoing -- Webinar SPFA PCP Refresher Courses for Previously Trained SPF Professional
Hosted by Gaco Western
Contact Karen Wolfenberger at kwolfenberger@gaco.com
More details for each location are available on our website – www.sprayfoam.org. If you would like more information on the PCP, please contact Kelly Marcavage, SPFA PCP Certification Director, at kmarcavage@sprayfoam.org.
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>>CPI Requests Papers and Posters for Polyurethane Industry Conference
Source: americanchemistry.com
The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council has issued a call for papers and posters to be presented at the 2015 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, which will take place October 5-7, 2015, at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Each year, the conference addresses the latest in breakthrough technology through its paper and poster program. Paper abstracts are due February 2, 2015. Submission instructions and guidelines for development of papers and posters can be found here. Poster abstracts are due August 3, 2015. Read more here.
>>DOE Seeks Input on Definition for Zero Energy Buildings, Due Feb. 20
On January 6, in an effort to help the private sector and regulators to agree on standards for zero-energy buildings, the Department of Energy published a notice in the Federal Register asking the public for input on potential definitions of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs), nomenclature, and implementation guidelines related to the proposed zero energy definitions. DOE has funded the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) to assess various potential definitions and propose draft definitions with input from a number of subject matter experts and stakeholder organizations. The public comment period is now open and will end on February 20, 2015. DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing any relevant comments and information. Interested persons can submit comments via:
1. Email: ZEB2014BLDG0050@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE-2014-BT-BLDG-0050 in the subject line of the message. Submit electronic comments in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number.
>>ASHRAE Announces Next Energy Modeling Conference, Call for Presenters
Source: ashrae.org
ASHRAE has announced that its next "Energy Modeling Conference: Tools for Designing High Performance Buildings" will take place September 30 to October 2, 2015, in Atlanta. ASHRAE seeks presenters who can speak specifically about the use of modeling to design, construct, commission, operate and maintain new and existing buildings to improve a building's energy performance and indoor environmental quality while reducing the cost to operate and maintain them. The conference will focus on the tools, step-by-step processes, best practices and workflows for the application of single or multiple modeling techniques. Read more here.
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>>BPI's Home Energy Auditing Standard Published as ANSI Standard
Source: homeenergy.gov / Mike Kandel
The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) announced that BPI-1100-T-2014: Home Energy Auditing Standard has been published as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. The Home Energy Auditing Standard defines the requirements for a building science-based evaluation, or audit, of existing detached single-family dwellings and townhouses that meet specific criteria detailed in the scope of the standard. Read more here. >>2015 Energy Codes Conference Returning in 2015
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is holding an energy codes conference for the first time since 2011. This conference, scheduled for March 24-26, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee, will be solely dedicated to energy codes. A major theme will be achieving compliance but sessions will cover development, adoption, policy and research. Click here to register and here for more information.
>>2014 Green Building Standard Now Available from ASHRAE/USGBC/IES
Source: ashrae.org
New requirements to further reduce energy and environmental impacts of buildings are contained in the 2014 version of the green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Illuminating Engineering Society.
ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2014, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, addresses the areas of site sustainability; water-use efficiency; energy efficiency; indoor environmental quality; and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources. Read more here.
>>DOE Issues Preliminary Determination of Energy Savings for Residential Buildings
Source: energycodes.gov
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Notice of Preliminary Determination for the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), preliminarily affirming that the updated code will result in energy savings in residential buildings. DOE analysis indicates that buildings meeting the 2015 IECC (as compared with buildings meeting the 2012 IECC) would result in national energy savings of approximately 1.12 percent of residential building energy consumption, as regulated by the IECC. If this determination is finalized, each state would be required by statute to certify that it has reviewed the provisions of its residential building code regarding energy efficiency, and made a determination as to whether to update their code to meet or exceed the 2015 IECC.
The DOE Building Energy Codes Program encourages increased energy efficiency through building codes and standards. DOE is required to review published editions of model codes, including the IECC and Standard 90.1, and issue a determination as to whether the updated edition is expected to result in energy savings in residential and commercial buildings, respectively. Through its support for building energy codes, DOE helps states and local governments realize significant energy savings, resulting in cost savings for U.S. home and business owners, and associated environmental benefits due to avoided greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here.
>>Building Codes Assistance Project Updates on Building Energy Codes
Source: energycodesocean.org
BCAP Newsletters are quarterly summaries of what's been happening at the Building Codes Assistance Project and building energy code progress around the nation. To access the full archive, click here. Here are some of the recent alerts from the BCAP Code Alerts released released weekly by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its website, the Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN). Code Alert Bulletins are designed to share information and support timely participation in state and local activities related to the adoption and implementation of building energy codes. The bulletins highlight immediate opportunities to influence state and local policy outcomes, indicate code status, and recommend contacts for action. Topics addressed in the current issue include:
* Ongoing General Alerts *
DOE - Register for the DOE National Energy Codes Conference 2015: Energy Codes In Action!
DOE - Seeks Input on Definition for Zero Energy Buildings
* New State and Local Alerts *
San Antonio, TX – Set to Become the First City in Texas to Adopt the 2015 IECC
* Ongoing State and Local Alerts *
Colorado - Public Utilities Commission Considers Changes to the Energy Benchmarking Rule
New York - New Commercial Code Becomes Effective on January 1, 2015
Pennsylvania - Public Hearings on the 2015 I-Codes Adoption on Jan. 14 & Feb. 11
South Carolina – Requests Comments Concerning the Adoption of 2015 I-Codes
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>>Updates from the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Source: energy.gov
The December issue of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Update newsletter is now available. Read this issue to learn about:
-The Building America Industry Partnerships for High Performance Housing Innovation Funding Opportunity and December 12 deadline for Concept Papers
-Exciting news about the 2015 Race to Zero Student Design Competition
-The December 17 webinar, Building America: Research for Real-World Homes -An overview of the Building America research teams—industry partnerships essential to the program’s success
-Residential success stories targeting energy savings in multifamily buildings
-Zero Energy Ready Home technical training in December
-Building America in the news
-The latest publications from Building America: measure guidelines, case studies for new and existing homes and technologies, and more!
Click here to access the most current Building America Update. Learn more about the Building America program.
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For the past eight years, the ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard has measured the progress of state policies and programs that save energy while also benefiting the environment and promoting economic growth. Using data vetted by state energy officials, ACEEE ranked states in six categories — utility programs, transportation, building energy codes, combined heat and power, state initiatives, and appliance standards. In this eighth edition of the State Scorecard, Massachusetts secured the top spot for the fourth year in a row. Joining Massachusetts in the top five were California, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Vermont. The most-improved states in 2014 were Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. Indiana and Ohio, meanwhile, fell the furthest in the rankings due to decisions by legislators in both states to roll back energy savings targets. Despite setbacks in these states, energy efficiency has remained a key resource, with utilities budgeting more than $7.7 billion in 2013 for efficiency programs across the country. To download the report or for more information, click here.
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Jan. 26-27, 2015 -- SPFA PCP Exam Prep Course and/or Exam hosted by SPFA, Albuquerque, N.M.
Jan. 27-30 2015 -- SPFA PCP Exam Prep Course and/or Exam hosted by Lapolla, Chatham, N.J.
Ongoing -- SPFA PCP Refresher Courses for Previously Trained SPF Professional hosted by Gaco Western, webinar, contact Karen Wolfenberger
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>>Don’t Qualify for a Conventional Business Loan? Understand Your Options
Source: sba.org
If you’re looking to start or grow your business, unless you’re fortunate enough to have a reserve of savings or a benevolent angel investor, then you’re going to need a business loan. So where do you start? Read more here.
>>The Top 7 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make With Mentors
Source: sba.org
A business mentor is someone with a lot more experience who is willing to teach you what they know. But there are common mistakes that entrepreneurs make when consulting a mentor. Let’s examine each one, and find out ways you can avoid falling into the same trap. Read more here.
>>Offering Energy Efficient Financing: A Path to Closing More Jobs, Increasing Sales and Making Customers Happy!
Source: bpi.org / Andrew Isaacs
You could say there are two types of contractors in the marketplace today, those who offer financing at the point of sale and those who don't. Savvy contractors help empower their customers by offering a choice to pay out of pocket or choose financing to pay for improvements. These contractors focus on the monthly payment rather than the total job cost, not only to reduce sticker shock but also to add measures to a job that will increase efficiency and comfort. Long term, competitively priced financing means expanded work scopes for contractors and greater home performance benefits for consumers. Read more here.
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