Walls & Ceilings Architect/October 2007

AIRTIGHT SPF seals pipes and through-the-wall plumbing penetrations. Self-adhesive spray seals small, tight spaces, underside of roof sheathing and ﬂoor boards. a comfortable constant temperature that results in greater energy efﬁciency. An airtight insulation seal also allows for a smaller heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, resulting in further reductions of energy costs. The airtight seal of SPF insulation also increases the energy efﬁ ciency of air conditioning, which is particularly signiﬁcant in areas such as the Southwestern United States, where hot weather is normal for most of the year. Contractors are installing SPF insulation in residential buildings more frequently in these climates to meet the demand for more energyefﬁcient cooling. IMPROVING AIR QUALITY In addition to reducing energy costs, SPF insulation offers the homeowner other beneﬁts that include better air quality, inhibition of rot and mold, greater structural integrity and noise reduction. Controlling a building’s mechanical ventilation significantly affects its interior air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the concentration of pollutants in the interior air of a building can be two to ﬁve times greater than that of outdoor air. The airtight seal of SPF insulation, however, enables a standard air recycler to function effectively to replace polluted internal air with clean air. Additionally, the airtight seal that SPF provides inhibits vapor and resists the permeation of moisture through walls and roofs. Interior moisture is the leading cause of building damage. By eliminating the condensation of moisture in interior spaces, SPF helps prevent the deterioration of insulation and the decay of framing members. Additionally, SPF is being used more frequently to insulate wine cellars, which require environments with not only consistent temperatures but also low moisture. Reducing the amount of internal moisture also reduces the growth of mold, which poses a health risk, especially to people with allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions. In addition to improving the quality of a building’s interior environment, SPF contributes to the structural integrity of the building itself. When cured, SPF insulation fortifies the walls it insulates, providing additional structural strength, which is particularly beneﬁ cial for buildings located in areas subject to earthquakes or hurricanes. SPF also helps deaden ex ternal noise pollution, such as trafﬁ c, trains, airplanes and construction. Unlike some conventional methods of insulation, SPF requires professional installation. The need for spray rig equipment and the hazards posed by chemicals used to cu re SPF preclude homeow ners from assuming the task of installation themselves. Even though professional contractors are not competing against do-it-yourselfers for installation work, they must invest in the proper training and equipment in order to install SPF safely and properly. BOX TRUCKS AND TRAILERS Contractors may choose between two types of spray rigs: box trucks and trailers. Box trucks offer a range of sizes from 16 to 28 feet in overall length, with cargo space for taking equipment from one job site to another. Trailer rigs are available as gooseneck trailers, which hook onto a ﬁ fth wheel attachment at the center of the truck bed, or as tag trailers, which are smaller at 16 to 24 feet and hook to the back bumper of a truck. While many contractors ﬁ nd the box trucks easier to maneuver, others ﬁ nd that trailers offer the ﬂexibility of leaving the spray rig at one site without having to take it to another site where it’s not needed. In addition to spray rigs, contractors must have the appropriate safety equipment to protect themselves from chemicals, gas, vapors and particulates. Diisocyanates, for example, are used as curing agents for SPF, but could pose respiratory hazards. Diisocyanate levels for SPF insulation jobs typically exceed the 14 | Walls & Ceilings Architect | October 2007

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walls & Ceilings Architect/October 2007

Contents Trade News Silver Certiﬁed Airtight The Men of Steel Thinking Thermal Firestop 101 ICFs Create a Tight Envelope The Finish Line The Green Thumb Cracking the Code

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