-- 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."

 

See press release here.

 

SPF Roof under 40,000 sq.ft. 
Winner: Wedge Roofing Inc. for Life-Time Spray Foam Improvement on Historic Residence
Runner-up: Arithane for Cedar House 

By Nikki Kruger

The relationship between relative humidity, air and dew point temperatures, and air movement is core to application of proper building science principles in SPF projects. The session also covered the use of a psychrometric wheel and an iPhone/Android app to experiment how these strategies will affect the conditions in the home.

By Grant Geise

Closed cell SPF is known as a very effective home insulation option. Attendees heard about all of the benefits along with the installation considerations. 

By Tom Kline of MASCO

OSHA released a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Isocyanates in 2013 that included requirements for respiratory protection, respiratory plans, training and enforcement through increased inspections. These requirements apply to the SPF industry. Attend this session to learn how to be safe and compliant on the job.

By Jim Anderson

Retrofit and renovation in residential and commercial projects for SPF have added challenges. They were built to codes and designs from many years ago and may have other cosmetic and functional problems that will impact your install.

By Tyler Fiske, SPFA Board Member

Every SPF contractor business needs to have an effective respiratory protection and safety program. Not only does this require adequate record keeping, but also evidence of proper training and PPE use by employees and information helpful in the case of possible future OSHA inspections. SPFA has constructed a model SPF written safety program for members.

2E. Advanced Best Practices for Avoiding Problems in Foam Plastic Installations 
By Dr. Richard Duncan, SPFA Technical Director

Problems are going to arise on a worksite, and awareness and solution measures are critical to dealing with them and getting back on track. Attendees heard about procedures to avoid off-ratio/off-temperature installations, including strategies for remediating each type of foam material problem, and elements of the new CPI/SFC guidance document on removal methods.

By Lee Salamone, Senior Director, ACC Center for the Polyurethanes Industry 

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry, a division of the American Chemistry Council and home of the Spray Foam Coalition, provided an industry update on a variety of federal and state programs that will impact your business, along with an update on SFC activities in the area of SPF training, marketing and research.

By Carol Hetfield

OSHA released a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Isocyanates in 2013 that included requirements for respiratory protection, respiratory plans, training and enforcement through increased inspections. These requirements apply to the SPF industry. 

By Karl Palmer

In early 2014, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released a regulatory plan for three initial priority products, SPF among them, to undergo workshops, hearings and other steps to assess product safety and possible alternative materials. The SPF industry has been a vocal critic of the process. The SCP program has been touted as a possible model for future environmental and safety regulation across the country.

By Craig and Kirk Campbell

Having the right insurance for your sprayfoam contracting business is critical to be sure you, your employees, business, and customers are protected. Having proper insurance is also a requirement for qualification to the SPFA PCP Accredited Contractor program. Make sure your business is covered!

SPFA Executive Director Kurt & President Denny Vandewater led open discussion in this contractor-only meeting among SPF contractor professionals voicing challenges and opportunities facing them that the association may be able to address. "Every year there is a lot to hear about due to the complexity of this growing industry, but there are always a handful of things we hear that we can address and turn into a value point for members in the next year, be it a new program, committee activity or outreach effort.  It gives us the chance to hear directly from our constituents and do something to show them we are listening, and maybe we’ll be able to make the industry a little bit better place because of it."

>>Evolution of SPF Noticed at IBS
Lapolla Industries Inc., Dow Building Solutions, CertainTeed, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Honeywell, Ron Hazelton and Ty Pennington are some of the companies/people who helped with positive promotion of SPF at International Builder's Show. SPFA was also represented at the show by Dr. Richard Duncan, who was one of the speakers. Read More at Plastics News 

 

>>GIA Releases Global Report on Insulation
GIA announced the release of a comprehensive global report on insulation. The global market for insulation is projected to reach $44 billion by 2020, driven by the growing need for thermal and acoustic insulation in housing and commercial buildings. Read More at PRWeb

>>DOE, ORNL Researching New Insulation Material
Researchers at the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE)’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are collaborating with industry to develop a high-performance material that nearly doubles the performance of traditional insulators without a high cost premium. The material is a composite polyiso foam board containing "modified atmosphere insulation," or "MAI," cores. While polyiso and sprayfoam hover around an R-value of 6 per inch, the goal for MAI-polyiso composites is 12. Read More at Labdesignnews

>>Free Webinar on March 18 by DOE Building America Program
Source: energy.gov
A webinar being presented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America program on March 18 is titled, "Building America Research Tools: Field Test Best Practices, BEopt, and National Residential Efficiency Measures Database." Register here for the 3-4:30 p.m. (EDT) webinar. Find more information here.

>>Codes, Standards Developers Align Guidelines to Create Sustainable, High-Performance Buildings
Source: ashrae.org
Several leading associations that develop codes and standards to create green buildings are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. The initiative is being welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors. Read more here.

>>Manufacturers Wary About Proposed EPA Rule
Manufacturers of cast polyurethanes, polyurethane foam, adhesives and sealants are reacting cautiously to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Significant New Use Rule on toluene diisocyanates. The SNUR is meant to cover only uncured products containing TDI and used in home applications, said representatives of the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association, Polyurethane Foam Association, and Adhesive and Sealant Council. However, the current version of the plan is so written that it might allow the EPA to regulate some cured products, which do not contain or emit TDI, they said. The EPA issued the SNUR on the TDI page of its website Jan. 8, and it was published in the Federal Register Jan. 15. Read More at Rubbernews

>>SPF Aids in NASA Launch: It Is Rocket Science!
Plastics News reported that NASA's test of the Orion spacecraft in December took advantage of spray polyurethane foam insulation on its second-stage liquid fuel tanks. The spacecraft was successfully launched Dec. 5, the first such take-off since the Space Shuttle program ended. Read More at incrediblepolyurethane.com

>>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.

>>PCP Certified Individuals Can Earn 1 SPFA CEU by Attending SPFA Webinar
(FREE FOR SPFA MEMBERS!)
Earn 1 SPFA CEU (Continuing Education Credit) toward your re-certification by attending this webinar on fall protection and SPF application: "Fall Protection for Insulation and Roofing Applications of SPF."

Every five years, PCP Certified individuals need to become recertified. Part of this process entails earning Continuing Educational Credits (CEUs). This is a quick and easy way to earn one CEU and it is FREE TO SPFA MEMBERS!!!

Assistant Level Recertification – 5 CEU required
Installer Level Recertification – 10 CEU required
Master Installer Level Recertification – 15 CEU required
Project Manager Level Recertification – 20 CEU required

Webinar Title: "Fall Protection for Insulation and Roofing Applications of SPF"
Date: Wednesday March 4, 2015
Time: 4-5 p.m. ET 
Speaker: Joe Bolduc, CSP - Director of Environmental Health and Safety, MASCO Contractor Services

The presentation will acknowledge the differences between fall protection regulation in states that are regulated by State Occupational Safety and Health Plans (OSHA) and states regulated by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Realizing that most state OSHA plans have adopted Federal OSHA regulations the webinar will explore residential hazards OSHA has identified along with the risk prevention regulations adopted to minimize the risk of serious injury and fatality in America’s Construction Workforce.

When properly employed these Fall Protection prevention techniques are proven to prevent serious injury and fatality.

This webinar will discuss:
> Overview of Regulations 
> Fall Protection Options 
> Anchorage 
> Body Harnesses 
> Lanyards 
> Training 
> Planning 
> Guardrails 
> Hand Rail 
> Observation

Joe Bolduc is the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety at Masco Contractor Services. Prior to his employment in the construction industry he was employed in the Risk Management group of Shaw Flooring a Berkshire Hathaway company in Dalton, GA. Prior to Shaw Joe spent 28 years with SAPPI Fine Papers in Boston, MA. While working at SAPPI Joe held various assignments of increasing responsibility in Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Training, Safety, Workers Compensation, Occupational Medicine, Security, Emergency Response and Risk Management with experience in both site and corporate levels of the organization. Joe was active 25 years in the emergency response activities of his home town serving as a Fire Department Officer - Paramedic/Firefighter. 

Joe earned a BS degree in Business Management and MBA from Thomas College in Waterville, ME, where he was also an adjunct faculty member. Bolduc is chair of the SPFA Safety Committee and holds Professional Member status in the American Society of Safety Engineer.  

Click here for more details and to register. 

 

>>SPFA Newsletter Adds a Spotlight on Newly Accredited Companies
Bayer MaterialScience and Premium Spray Products have recently achieved the acclaimed SPFA Accredited Supplier designation, joining Huntsman. 

Each month, we’ll highlight one of our newly accredited companies! This month’s spotlight is on Bayer MaterialScience. Next issue will have the spotlight on Premium Spray Products --- stay tuned for others as they earn this prestigious designation. 

 

Bayer MaterialScience LLC Earns SPFA Supplier Accreditation
Bayer MaterialScience LLC, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) systems house and raw materials supplier, has completed a comprehensive certification program to become a Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) Accredited Supplier.