Introduction to Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Spray Polyurethane Foam and the ICC Building Codes September 15th, 2008 Minneapolis, MN Rick Duncan Technical Director, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
Who is SPFA? • Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance – Founded in 1997 as Polyurethane Foam Contractors Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) – Independent trade association for contractors, manufacturers, and distributors of polyurethane foam, equipment, and protective coatings, inspections, surface preparations, and other services. – Maintains strong relationship with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Center for Polyurethanes Industry (CPI)
What does SPFA do? • Education and Research – – – –
Accreditation and Education programs Technical Literature and Guidelines "Hotline" for Technical questions (1‐800‐523‐6154) Industry Research Programs
• Promotion and Awareness – – – – – –
Regulatory and Legislative Activities Promotional and Marketing Tools Website www.sprayfoam.org Annual Spray Foam Conference and Exposition Spray Foam Magazine Directory and Buyers' Guide
History of SPF in Buildings • Building Envelope and Roofing – NOT Urea‐Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) – Medium/High Density Closed‐Cell SPF
courtesy BASF
• 30‐35 year history • Walls, floors, ceilings, attics… • Low‐slope roofs
– Low‐Density Open‐Cell SPF
courtesy BaySystems
• 15‐20 year history • Walls, floors, ceilings, attics…
courtesy Icynene
Insulation Family Tree
Thermoplastic vs. Thermoset Foams Thermoset • Common types – Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) – Polyisocyanurate Boardstock (PIR)
• Two components – Isocyanate (A‐side) – Resin (B‐side)
• Combustible; does not melt • Recyclable in solid‐form
Thermoplastic • Common Types – Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) – Foamed Polyethylene (FPE)
• Combustible; melts • Recyclable in melted liquid and solid form
SPF Chemistry Fundamentals • A‐Side: MDI ‐ Isocyanate • B‐Side: Proprietary Resin – polyols , catalysts, fire retardants, blowing agents, etc.,…
• A+B = polyurethane foam
courtesy BASF
courtesy BASF
Types of PU Foam • One‐Component
courtesy Dow
• Two‐Component
courtesy Fomo Products
courtesy Fomo Products
courtesy Fomo Products
courtesy Fomo Products
Types of PU Foam • Spray Foam –Low Density • Open‐cell, half‐lb.
–Medium Density • Closed‐cell, two‐lb.
–High Density / Roofing • Closed‐cell, three‐lb.
courtesy Graco
Jobsite Safety • Safety – Applicator PPE – Material Handling (MSDS) – Jobsite Safety courtesy BASF
courtesy Graco
See SPFA’s Contractor Safety and Product Stewardship Program
Residential Applications INTERIOR WALLS
UNVENTED ATTICS courtesy Dow
courtesy Icynene
ATTIC FLOORS
CATHEDRALIZED CEILINGS courtesy BASF
courtesy BASF
EXTERIOR WALLS courtesy NCFI
FLOORS
courtesy Honeywell
courtesy Honeywell/BSC
BELOW GRADE WALLS
GARAGE CEILINGS UNVENTED CRAWLSPACES courtesy Honeywell
BASEMENT WALLS courtesy Honeywell
courtesy Honeywell
courtesy BASF
Commercial Applications LOW-SLOPE ROOFS
EXTERIOR WALLS courtesy Honeywell/BSC
courtesy BaySystems
METAL BUILDING MASONRY WALLS courtesy Demilec
courtesy Demilec
INTERIOR WALLS
FRAME WALLS
courtesy Honeywell
courtesy BASF
courtesy BASF
courtesy BaySystems
What Are the Benefits of SPF? Insulation (R/inch)
Fiberglass Batts
Cellulose
XPS
EPS
Open Cell SPF
Closed Cell SPF
3.0‐4.0
3.0‐4.0
5.0
3.0‐4.0
3.6 ‐4.5
5.8‐6.8
9
9
Air Barrier/Air Impermeable Water Vapor Retarder
9 9 9
*
Water Resistant Cavity Insulation
9
9
Continuous Insulation Low‐Slope Roofing (Ext) Formaldehyde‐Free Structural Strength
*
9
9 9 9
9 9 9
9 9 9
9 9 9 9 9 9 9
SPF = Consistent Performance • ATI Guarded Hotbox Study WHOLE-WALL INSULATION PERFORMANCE 120
0.18-0.27 cfm Wall Performance Index
– Whole‐wall thermal performance: frame wall – Extreme temperatures: ‐ 15, 25 and 115F – Simulated 15 mph wind (air pressure load)
100
1.71-2.10 cfm
80 60 40
Fiberglass Batts
20
SPF
0 -40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Outdoor Temperature (deg F)
120
140
SPF and the International Codes • Code Sections – Separate from ‘traditional’ insulations – IBC: Ch 26, Section 2603 Foam Plastic Insulation – IRC: Ch 3, R314 Foamed Plastic
• Code Focus – Fire Protection – Thermal Performance – Moisture Control
Surface Burning Test • Surface Burning Characteristics [IBC 2603.3 / IRC R314.3] – ASTM E84 / UL 723 Steiner Tunnel Test • • • • •
– – – –
Flame Spread Index (FSI) Smoke Developed Index (SDI) FSI/SDI is 0/0 for fiber‐cement FSI/SDI is 100/100 for red oak Limited to 4” thickness
Class II – FSI ≤ 75, SDI ≤ 450 Class I – FSI ≤ 25, SDI ≤ 450 Roofing – FSI ≤ 75, SDI unlimited CHECK with manufacturer or ESR for testing >4”
courtesy Dow
Thermal Barriers • Thermal Barrier Requirement [IBC 2603.4 / IRC R314.4]
–Separates insulation from interior of building –Approved 15 minute thermal barrier • ½” gypsum wallboard is most commonly used • Others to be tested per ASTM E119 and/or full‐scale fire tests
–Exceptions to Thermal Barrier requirement…
Thermal Barrier Exceptions • Inside masonry or concrete walls* [IBC 2603.4.1.1 / IRC R314.5.2]
• Cooler and freezer walls* [IBC 2603.4.1.2‐3] • Laminated metal wall panels‐one story [IBC 2603.4.1.4] • Roofing assembly* [IBC 2603.4.1.5 / IRC R314.5.2] • Entry doors [IBC 2603.4.1.7‐8 / IRC R314.5.5] • Garage doors [IBC 2603.4.1.9 / IRC R314.5.6] • Siding backer board [IBC 2603.4.1.10 / IRC R314.5.7] * Some SPF applications here
Thermal Barrier Exceptions • Sill Plates and Headers
[IBC 2603.4.1.13 / IRC R314.5.11]
– Limited to Type V construction – Max thickness 3.25” – Medium density foam only – Class I Foam
courtesy BASF
Thermal Barrier Exceptions • Attics and Crawl Spaces [IBC 2603.4.1.6 / IRC R314.5.3] – Entry is made for service of utilities – Ignition barrier is required separating attic/crawlspace space from foam – Thermal barrier required between attic/crawlspace and occupied space
courtesy Icynene
Ignition Barrier Requirements • Ignition Barrier
[IBC 2603.4.1.6 / IRC R314.5.3]
– Prescriptive ignition barriers include: • 1.5” mineral fiber insulation • 0.25” wood structural panels • 0.375 particleboard • 0.25” hardboard • 0.375” gypsum board • Corrosion‐resistant steel having a base metal thickness of 0.016 “ – Alternative Assemblies by Special Approval Testing
Alternative Assemblies • Special Approval Tests
[IBC 2603.9 / IRC R314.6]
– NFPA 286 ‐ Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth (with the acceptance criteria of Section 803.2/R315.4)
– FM 4880 ‐ Fire Rating of Insulated Wall or Wall and Roof/Ceiling Panels, Interior Finish Materials or Coatings, and Exterior Wall Systems
– UL 1040 ‐ Safety Fire Test of Insulated Wall Construction – UL 1715 – Fire test of interior finish material – End‐use fire tests
courtesy NCFI Polyurethanes
End‐Use Fire Testing • Special Approval for Foam In Attics and Crawlspaces – ICC‐ES has issued ESR’s for this application • Qualifies foam alone or foam with intumescent coating • SPFA‐committee working with ICC‐ES to update alternative testing procedure
courtesy NCFI Polyurethanes
Unvented Attics • Unvented Attics [IRC R806.4 2007 Supplement]
– IRC allows unvented attics in all climate zones Unvented attic within thermal envelope No vapor retarder on attic floor Special ventilation for wood shingles Vapor retarder requirements in cold climates (ASTM E96 a) • Air‐impermeable insulation requirements (ASTM E283 or E2178) • • • •
courtesy Dow
courtesy Demilec
Crawlspaces • Unvented Crawlspaces
[IRC R408.3]
– IRC allows unvented crawlspaces in all climate zones • Exposed earth covered and sealed with vapor retarder • Controlled ventilation/airflow requirements • Ignition barrier satisfactory
CRAWLSPACES courtesy Honeywell
Thermal and Moisture • Thermal Performance, R‐value [IBC 1301 Æ IECC 102.1.1 / IRC N1102.1 / 16CFR Part 460 ]
– Measure per ASTM C 518 or C 177 – At installed thickness or extrapolated from R‐value at representative thickness per FTC rule; Refer to ESR – Must be aged R‐value for SPF, as applicable
• Moisture Permeance
[IECC 402.5 / IRC R318]
– Measure per ASTM E 96 dry cup (method A) – Approximately 2 inches of closed‐cell SPF provides ≤ 1 perm
SPF and Code Compliance • ICC‐ES Acceptance Criteria – AC‐12 for Foamed Plastic: XPS, EPS, PIR – AC‐377 for Froth and Spray Polyurethane Foams: ‐‐ NEW 3/1/08
• (A) ICC‐ES Reports – Required Data • R‐value, Surface Burning Characteristics (at thickness), Physical Properties
– Optional Data • Air permeance, Water absorption, WVTR, Full‐scale fire tests,…
• (B) Alternate Product Documentation – 3rd Party Test Data, Product Data Sheets also acceptable
On the Jobsite • Product Labeling [IBC 2603.2 / IRC R314.2] – Containers on job site shall have mfg name, product ID, product listing, suitability for use – Alternately,
• Installation Certificate [IECC 102.1.1 / IRC N1101.8] – Provided by contractor to builder/homeowner – Thickness, R‐value and product listing or data sheet – Placed on electric service panel or other conspicuous location
On the Jobsite • Quick Tips – Open‐Cell SPF: • Frequently expanded beyond studs • Trimmed/shaved to fill cavity • Soft to the touch
Get product data sheet, ESR and/or certification from builder/designer [IRC N1101.8]
– Closed‐Cell SPF: • Does not expand beyond wall stud faces • Not usually trimmed, does not fill cavity • Firm to the touch
– Color ≠ Foam Type
courtesy NCFI Polyurethanes
Where can you learn more? • SPFA Accreditation Training • SPFA Website and Annual Conference – AY document access
• SPFA Guide For Building Officials (in progress) • Formulators and Systems House Suppliers
SPFA
EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION
SprayFoam 2009 January 11-14, 2009 Renaissance Austin Hotel 9721 Arboretum Blvd. Austin, TX 78759 Phone: 1-512-343-2626
SPFA Website: www.sprayfoam.org