Introduction to the 

Spray Polyurethane Foam 

Alliance

25 June 2009

EPA

Washington, DC

Kurt Riesenberg

Executive Director

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
Who is SPFA?

• Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

– Founded in 1987 as Polyurethane Foam Contractors 

Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI)

– Independent trade association for contractors, 

manufacturers and distributor s and distributors of polyur s of polyurethane f ethane foam, 

equipment, protective coatings, inspections, surface 

preparations and other services. Uniquely the entire 

value-chain under one roof. 

– 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 Advocacy Activities 

– Promotional and Marketing Tools 

– Website www.sprayfoam.org 

– Annual Spray Foam Conference and Exposition 

– Spray Foam Magazine (free subscription & now online)

– Directory and Buyers' Guide
Organizational Overview

• 3 Full-Time Staff

• 320 Member Companies

– Contractors, Suppliers, Distributors, Consultants

– By-Laws maintain culture & focus upon contractor

– Membership continues to grow

• Committees

– Executive Committee / Board of Directors

– Product Stewardship & Safety Committee

– Technical Oversight Committee

– Building Envelope Committee & Roofing Committee

– Code Committee
SPF 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

• Spray Foam 

–Low Density

• Open-cell, half-lb (+). 

–Medium Density

• Closed-cell, two-lb.

–High Density / Roofing

• Closed-cell, three-lb. 

courtesy Graco
Residential Applications

UNVENTED ATTICS

courtesy Dow

ATTIC FLOORS

INTERIOR WALLS

courtesy Icynene

UNVENTED 

CRAWLSPACES

FLOORS

BELOW GRADE WALLS

courtesy BASF

courtesy Honeywell

CATHEDRALIZED 

CEILINGS

courtesy BASF

BASEMENT WALLS

courtesy Honeywell

GARAGE CEILINGS

courtesy Honeywell

courtesy Honeywell

EXTERIOR WALLS

courtesy Honeywell/BSC

courtesy BASF

courtesy NCFI
Commercial Applications

EXTERIOR WALLS

LOW-SLOPE ROOFS

courtesy Honeywell/BSC courtesy BaySystems

METAL

FRAME WALLS

courtesy BASF courtesy BaySystems

courtesy BASF courtesy Honeywell

INTERIOR WALLS

METAL

BUILDING

MASONRY WALLS

courtesy Demilec courtesy Demilec
Jobsite Safety

• Safety Message

– PPE

– Material Handling (MSDS)

– Equipment Maintenance & 

Operation

– Jobsite Safety 

– Contractor Safety 

Recommendations

See SPFA’s Contractor Safety and Product Stewardship Program

courtesy BASF

courtesy Graco
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

• 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

• Safe Application of SPF

– Hazardous chemicals are used in the application of SPF

– MDI (A-side)

– Polyols (B-side)

– Solvents

– The SPF contractor should meet and discuss safety 

issues with the building owner or general contractor 

before the job starts.

– Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) MUST be 

used by everyone in the vicinity when SPF is being 

applied

– PPEs include skin, eye and respiratory protection
On the Jobsite

• Safe Application of SPF (continued)

– Details regarding general jobsite safety as well as safe 

chemical transportation, application and disposal are 

communicated to applicators as part of 

– SPF supplier tr supplier training pr aining programs

– SPFA Accreditation training (SPFA Spray Foam 101 Ch 1)

– Information from the SPFA website at: 

http://www.sprayfoam.org/index.php?page_id=220

– SPFA encourages all building owners and general 

contractors be familiar with safe SPF application practices 

before the product is applied by holding a preapplication construction leadership team meeting.
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]

• Soft to the touch

– 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 people learn more?

• Join – Committees, Professional Community

• SPFA Accreditation Training

• SPFA Website and Annual Conference 

• Formulator rmulators and S s and Systems House Supplier Suppliers

• Industry Partners (CPI)

SprayFoam 2010

February 14 – 17, 2010

Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, FL

SPFA Website:

www.sprayfoam.org