# Table of Contents Introduction

Use of Amine Catalysts in Polyurethanes Manufacture

Polyurethanes are generally made by reacting a diisocyanate, such as toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), and a blended polyol. When a polyurethane foam is desired, the process uses additional chemicals, such as amine and/ or metallic salt catalysts, auxiliary blowing agents, and silicone surfactants, to achieve the desired properties.

Amine catalysts are used to control and/or balance both the gelling reaction and the gas-forming or foaming reaction responsible for foam formation. Although several organometallic compounds or salts may be used as catalysts in the production of polyurethanes, many polyurethane manufacturers use either tertiary aliphatic amines or alkanolamines. Amine catalysts are typically 0.1 to 5.0 percent of a polyurethane formulation.



### Chemical Composition

Amine catalysts are a class of organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH3) by substituting one or more of the hydrogen atoms with alkyl groups (carbon and hydrogen containing molecular chains)—e.g., dimethylcyclohexylamine [(CH3)2NC6H11]. An amine is primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on whether one, two, or three of the hydrogen atoms of ammonia are replaced. Most amines are basic and can combine readily with acids to form salts, some of which are useful as delayed-action catalysts. Catalytic activity of ISSUE AX173 • JULY 2011



# Working with Polyurethane Foam Products During New Construction, Retrofit and Repair 

# Fire Safety Guidance2 

### Fire Safety Guidance 

# Fire Safety Guidance Fire is a serious concern during construction, repair and retrofit projects because materials can be exposed to ignition sources. For example, there

may be a potential for polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam to be exposed

to open flame from welding, cutting torches, and other ignition sources

from allied trades during certain construction sequences. While fires

involving polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam during construction, retrofit or repair are rare, they do happen. The following safety precautions, limited here to a discussion of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam products that are present during “hot work,” are suggested for the construction site to help prevent these accidents. However, if a fire does occur and cannot be extinguished immediately, evacuate the area at once. Any guidance or suggestions made in this document do not replace the instructions provided by the employer, the MSDS and the product instructions. 

### Trade Performing “Hot Work”OSHA defines Hot Work as riveting, welding, flame cutting or any other fire or sparkproducing operation (See 29 CFR § 1910.252a)

• OSHA states that “hot work” permits must be authorized by an individual designated by management and only after a “hot work” assessment has been completed. It also states that the person performing the “hot work” is not authorized to make such assessments or issue permits. • Thoroughly educate other trades on the site about fire characteristics of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam. Refer to the foam manufacturer’s literature for safety recommendations. • If possible, perform “hot work” in a designated area free of combustibles. • If “hot work” must be performed in an area where there are combustibles, move the combustibles, if possible, a distance of at least 35 feet from the “hot work,” as required by OSHA. If the combustibles cannot be moved, shield the combustibles with a fire retardant cover. • A fire watch is required by OSHA (see 29 CFR 1910.252(a) (2)(iii)) where:

» combustible building materials or contents are closer than 35 feet to the point of operation;

» wall or floor openings within a 35-foot radius expose combustible materials in adjacent areas, including concealed spaces in walls or floors;

» combustible materials are adjacent to the opposite side of partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely to be ignited; or

» any other criteria are applicable as listed by OSHA under 29 CFR § 1910.252a (Fire Prevention and Protection). OSHA defines Hot Work as riveting, welding, flame cutting

or any other fire or

spark-producing operation (See 29 CFR § 1910.252a)3 

### Fire Safety Guidance Fire Safety Guidance Contractor

• Conduct job safety meetings with all other trades in order to develop a safety plan before, during and after polyurethane or polyisocyanurate application. Review foam manufacturer’s installation instructions for safety recommendations. • For retrofit or repair projects, determine whether foam products are present before any hot work is performed. If so, follow the same fire prevention procedures as for new construction. • If foam insulation is being installed near potential ignition sources, a fire watch may be required (see Trade Performing “Hot Work” Section for fire watch discussion). • Provide warning signs and labels on the job site where the trades performing hot work are most likely to see them, as required by 29 CFR § 1910.145 and 29 CFR § 1910.252. • Do not allow smoking on the job site. • Schedule application of required thermal barrier as soon as practically possible. • Keep other trades from working in the application area until a thermal barrier is applied over the foam. If another trade must work in the area before the thermal barrier is applied, they should determine if a fire watch is required (see Trade Performing “Hot Work” Section for fire watch discussion).
For Spray Polyurethane Foam Contractors

• Review the manufacturer’s installations instructions concerning the thickness of the foam per pass, because the SPF may scorch or ignite when installed too quickly to achieve the desired thickness or installed in too thick a pass.



### All Trades If a fire occurs that cannot be extinguished immediately, evacuate the area at once.

• Have an adequate supply of suitable fire extinguishers in convenient locations. Personnel that use extinguishers must be trained in their use. (Note: Polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam typically require carbon dioxide and dry chemical extinguishers) • Avoid accumulating large amounts of combustible waste materials (for example, foam trim and paper). Observe good housekeeping practices, and dispose of waste properly. • Do not smoke on the job site. If a fire occurs that cannot be extinguished immediately, evacuate the area at once4 

### Fire Safety Guidance Additional Fire Safety Information: Rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams will, if ignited, release various products of combustion such as smoke and gases that may be irritating, flammable and/or toxic. As with other organic materials, such as wood, the primary combustible gases are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

• Fire Safety Guidelines for Use of Rigid Polyurethane or Polyisocyanurate Foam Insulation in Building Construction Center for the Polyurethanes Industry http://www.polyurethane.org/s_api/sec.asp?CID=1649&DID=11363 • AY 126: Thermal Barriers for the Spray Polyurethane Foam Industry Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance http://www.sprayfoam.org/downloads/pdf/AY%20126.pdf • NFPA 51 B, Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work National Fire Prevention Association http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=51B • OSHA Regulation 29 CFR § 1910.252 Welding, Cutting, and Brazing ttApplication Standard http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9853 • Tech Tip Spray Polyurethane Foam – Exotherm vs. Thickness Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance http://www.sprayfoam.org/uploads/pages/4480/Tech%20Tip%20Exotherm.pdf

Legal Notice: This guidance document was prepared by the American Chemistry Council’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry. It is intended to provide general information to professional persons who may be involved in installing polyurethane foam in new construction, retrofit or repair projects. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for in-depth training or specific construction requirements, nor is it designed or intended to define or create legal rights or obligations. It is not intended to be a “how-to” manual, nor is it a prescriptive guide. All persons involved in construction projects including polyurethane foam have an independent obligation to ascertain that their actions are in compliance with current federal, state and local laws and regulations and should consult with legal counsel concerning such matters. The guidance is necessarily general in nature and individual companies may vary their approach with respect to particular practices based on specific factual circumstance, the practicality and effectiveness of particular actions and economic and technological feasibility. Neither the American Chemistry Council, nor the individual member companies of the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assigns, makes any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this guidance document; nor do the American Chemistry Council or any member companies assume any liability or responsibility for any use or misuse, or the results of such use or misuse, of any information, procedure, conclusion, opinion, product, or process disclosed in these Guidelines. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.

This work is protected by copyright. Users are granted a nonexclusive royalty-free license to reproduce and distribute these guidelines, subject to the following limitations: (1) the work must be reproduced in its entirety, without alterations; and (2) copies of the work may not be sold.

For more information on material presented in these Guidelines, please contact your supplier.

Copyright © October 2011, American Chemistry Council.5 

### Fire Safety Guidance Fire S 

# Fire Safety Guidance Working with Polyurethane Foam Products During New Construction, Retrofit and Repair 

# 1

MEET: Conduct a safety meeting with other trades.



# 2

POST: Put up warning signs at the site.6 

### Fire Safety Guidance 

# 3
MOVE:
Move combustibles away from the “hot work” site. 

# 4
SHIELD:
Shield combustibles with fire blanket or welder’s blanket.7 

### Fire Safety Guidance Fire Safety Guidance 

# 5 WATCH:

Provide fire watch if necessary. Have appropriate fire extinguisher and telephone nearby. Evacuate area if fire cannot be extinguished immediately. 

# 6
PROTECT:

Protect installed foam with a required thermal barrier such as 1⁄2 in gypsum board as soon as possible.700 2nd Street NE Washington, District of Columbia 20002-4308 www.americanchemistry.com/polyurethane October 2011 AX426