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Dear Sprayfoam Industry:
SPFA continues to work hard through the disruptions of the pandemic, and need our members’ immediate support to continue fighting for them. We know many of our members have been hard-hit, along with many companies from the construction contracting and manufacturing industries. SPFA has also been hard-hit as we are a reflection of our membership, and a small business struggling to make it through all of these challenges. The world will have a new normal when this is “over” but it is going to be a while before we get there. In the meantime, SPFA is the voice and spirit of the sprayfoam industry, fighting to protect your business, helping to keep all of the people in the industry safe, advocate on their behalf, and position the technology and the industry as a post-COVID construction recovery solution.
As a 501c6 non-profit trade association, SPFA does not qualify for any of the Small Business Administration (SBA) emergency funding resources. Like so many other small-business trade associations, we have to rely entirely upon our members to get us through this time, so we can position the industry for success and be here to represent this critically important community in the coming new world. Please, if you are an existing member, SPFA needs your membership renewal today. If you are not an SPFA member, you benefit from all the work we do and we are asking you to support us through these challenging times. Contact SPFA today to either renew your 2020 membership, or sign up for a new one to support the industry. Any SPFA Members that maintain their membership in 2020 will receive a special digital commemorative COVID19 Sustaining Member Badge, uniquely demonstrating during this time your commitment and investment to put industry, community, and the work of your association as a highest priority. For supporting us during this unprecedented and long-term impactful time, this badge will be forever useable by you in your marketing regardless of future-years membership status.
If interested in new SPFA membership, please complete an application or to catch up on your 2020 membership, please contact Mickey Riesenberg at michele@sprayfoam.org directly. Your support of this organization is more important than ever.
Be safe, be smart, be present, and be strong.
-Kurt Riesenberg
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We are looking for a few good men and women! The SPFA Board of Directors term is two years, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Beginning in May 2020 SPFA will be circulating nomination forms to membership for individuals to nominate or be nominated to have their name included in the 2020-2022 SPFA Board election process. The month of May allows for nominations of members interested in serving, and the month of June allows for actual voting in the election. The election closes at the end of June, and the new Board members will be announced on July 1, 2020.
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February 1 – 4, 2021
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX
The Sprayfoam Show 2021 is the largest annual convention and trade show dedicated to Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) in the United States. Bringing together industry participants in insulation, roofing, specialty applications, and related equipment, the event will span four full days and include educational sessions, a 65,000-square-foot exposition hall, professional certification programs, the annual Industry Excellence Awards luncheon ceremony, annual Golf Tournament, VIP events, and an entertainment-filled Close-Out Event Party. The event is expected to draw approximately 1,500 attendees from all regions of the United States and abroad. The sprayfoam industry grows domestically and internationally every year and The Sprayfoam Show is the signature event bringing together the sector’s professional community.
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We are asking you today to sign your company onto this letter (click below) that will be sent Friday, May 29 to Washington, D.C. representatives. The letter needs as many trade association and company sign-ons as possible. SPFA has advocated alongside our partnering trade associations for the continuation and expansion of the 25C Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit for years. It has been groundhog day with the provision operating, then sunsetting, then opening up again with retroactive credit – basically it has been a roller coaster and not well taken advantage of in recent years because of the complications of maintaining support for the program. Several years ago the funding for the homeowner credit was reduced further minimizing its positive impact.
The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), a very substantial advocacy force for energy efficiency in Washington, D.C., is pushing for the 25C Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit to be reinstated with an increase in benefit for the customer as one of several incentive programs to get the energy efficiency business, and those companies that depend upon these customers, back to work.
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Huntsman Corporation has branded its world leading spray polyurethane foam (SPF) Business as Huntsman Building Solutions (HBS). HBS is a global platform within Huntsman’s Polyurethanes division. The SPF Business was formed when Huntsman acquired leading North American SPF company Icynene-Lapolla in February and combined it with Demilec, which Huntsman acquired in 2018. HBS is now one of the world’s leading SPF providers and the fifth largest insulation manufacturer. Simon Baker, previously president of Demilec, and Doug Kramer, formerly president of Icynene-Lapolla, jointly lead HBS. Baker is responsible for Canada and international business and Kramer for U.S. business.
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Since the beginning of the pandemic, SPF contractors have reported shortages of respirators and cartridges. While N95 masks and cartridges have been in high demand, the P100 cartridges used in air purifying respirators have been in short supply for SPF installers. In addition, the availability of PVC coated coveralls (e.g., Tyvek suits) has been scarce. Many contractors have asked if the breathable non-woven coveralls may be used in place of coated coveralls. The best answer will come from your foam chemical supplier and may be found on the SDS.
In lieu of specific guidance from SPF manufacturers, here is what we know. Disposable PVC-coated suits provide the best protection against SPF chemical exposure. However, a 2017 study by Covestro (member log in www.sprayfoam.org/login for access) indicates that non-woven suits may provide adequate protection against airborne SPF chemicals during spraying but that PVC-coated suits should still be used when contact with liquid chemicals can occur during handing and equipment repair. This study does not constitute any recommendation or guidance from SPFA and may not prevent an OSHA citation, but contractors may want to consider this information when making clothing selection until the shortage of PVC-coated suits is resolved. It should also be noted that regular clothing should not be used for protection during spraying or chemical application because (1) the unknown level of protection from different fabrics and (2) the contaminated clothing should not be worn off the jobsite and should be discarded at the end of every shift.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Rick Duncan, SPFA Technical Director (rickduncan@sprayfoam.org) or the SPFA Safety Committee Co-Chairs, Brian Cote and Chris King.
Below is an example of guidance one SPFA member shared with their customers and us. None of this constitutes legal or health and safety advice, just observations during an unprecedented time and potentially helpful info intended to keep you as safe as possible.
Due to shortages cause by the COVID-19 pandemic, coveralls, (often referred to as Tyvek suits) used in many aspects of our trade are in short supply with long lead times. Below are some options to be used during these shortages. Working with the SPFA, ICAA, American Chemistry Council’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry and our manufacturers, we have come up with some guidelines to help navigate through these times. Once the crisis is over and suits become available it may be prudent to replenish your supplies and build a stockpile to be prepared for a possible relapse. It is important to remember; these items have expirations dates so rotating stock may be necessary.
Coveralls come in many brands and many weights or thicknesses.
• Heavy, which is usually lined with a PVC material, is tough, lasts longer and is good when handing liquid chemical but is not very breathable. Best used when working with Spray Foam in crawl spaces, attics and wall assembles as well as around the liquid chemicals in the truck.
• Medium, which may have a small amount of PVC. This suit is much more breathable and is ok for small liquid chemical spills. It is often the preferred option for Spray Foam installers. It is used for attics, walls and minimal use around chemicals in the truck.
• Light, which is very breathable but will rip/tear easily. This is often used by Roofers, Waters Proofers, Fiberglass and Cellulose installers as well as some Spray Foam installers. With Spray Foam It is best used in areas where the installer is standing and does not require them to have any part of their torso come in contact with the ground. It is NOT Recommended for crawl spaces or attics because of its resistance to durability. If an installer is working on equipment, cleaning their gun or transferring chemical or drum pumps a chemical resistant apron with TYVEK sleeves MUST be worn in conjunction with the light weight suit.
Currently Heavy and Medium weight suits are very difficult to find. Lightweight suits are still available.
Recommendations
• If your location still has heavy/medium weight suits, save them for the Spray Foam installer to use in attics, crawlspaces and around the liquid chemical. If they use them around liquid chemical and do not get them dirty, have them wear them more than once. Suits should be hung up to dry and aired out after use. As soon as a suit is damaged it should be thrown away. Fiberglass, Cellulose, Roofers and Water Proofers should use lightweight suits.
• Ventilation is Mandatory and should always be used during spray foam application regardless of suit weight. If a lightweight suit is going to be used by a Spray Foam installer High Flow Ventilation fans MUST be used. Depending on the size of the work area, a minimum of one fan bringing air into the work area and one bringing air out of the work area should be used. (See Tech Corner Document Attached). Open windows and low flow house fans are not considered adequate ventilation.
• It is a good practice when wearing a medium weight suit and mandatory when wearing a lightweight suit to wear a chemical resistant apron and Tyvek sleeves when working with raw chemical. This would include, working on equipment such as hoses, reactor, drum pumps and guns as well as transferring chemical from one drum to another or transferring drum pumps from on drum to another.
• There should never be exposed skin when wearing a chemical suit and working with spray foam.
Examples of suits for MDI exposure provided by the American Chemical Council here: https://www.spraypolyurethane.org/personal-protective-equipment-ppe/#protective-clothing
Please reach out to your risk manager if you have further questions.
For further guidance, please visit SPFA.
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Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Huntsman has been producing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomers for manufacturers of essential medical personal protective equipment (PPE) around the world. Huntsman’s TPUs are being used to produce hospital gowns, face masks, mattress covers, tubes, valves, cable jackets and, notably, powered air purifying respirators (PAPR).
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Working safely during COVID-19 is a challenge. While the SPF industry already complies with some of the most demanding H+S requirements on a jobsite, risks still remain to the workers of our industry during everyday tasks, travel to and from a jobsite, etc. SPFA offers some reminders to keep your safety simple and doable in this infographic.
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Not an ideal situation, but an unscheduled or unexpected shut-down of a rig can happen. If it does, this is one more quick resource available to the SPF industry from the members of SPFA to preserve your equipment. Download it today.
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The PCP is holding a kick-off meeting for Field Exam Planning on Monday, June 8 from 1-2pm ET. All SPFA members who are interested in helping with the LOGISTICS, MARKETING and SPONSORSHIPS for Field Exams at Sprayfoam 2021 (San Antonio, Feb. 1-4) are welcome to attend. Those who want to be a SPONSOR should contact Kelly as soon as possible since Equipment, Material and Supplies sponsorships are limited on space available basis. Please contact Kelly Marcavage, Certification Director, and she will send you a link to the meeting.
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All seven PCP Exam Prep Courses are available for FREE to SPFA Members and companies with employee enrolled in PCP. (Each course is valued at $250). If you are eligible for FREE access, you were sent information on how to access the courses. If you didn’t receive, contact certdirector@sprayfoam.org. For those who don’t fall into either category but are interested, all you need to do is enroll in PCP using this form and you can access all courses and receive the study guides for FREE! (Study Guides are valued at $50/each.)
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R&K Building Supply
Gilbert, AZ
Job Description:
Since 1974, R&K Building Supplies has been serving homeowners and residential and commercial contractors in Arizona with residential tract work, custom homes and apartments, commercial buildings, churches, schools, and offices. We recognize that employees are our most valuable asset. Therefore, we strive to provide a positive environment with training, growth and career advancement opportunities. We are seeking individuals who will thrive in this environment and who are excited to be a part of "Building Excellence with Reliability and Knowledge”. R&K is a division of US LBM Holdings.
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Roofing is one of the several “essential” construction industries continuing to operate during COVID-19. The roof is a first line of defense against weather, damage, and even potential displacement of occupants during this period of isolation. It is also one of the industries most impacted by the workforce shortage in recent years. Roofing construction is coming back, along with it the early-demand for workers. The benefit of natural trades-distancing on a roofing jobsite, and capitalizing upon a recent trend in remote-inspections, SPFA is a supporting member of a multi-product roofing industry coalition consisting of the leading trade associations from that market trying to advance the return of the industry. Putting the playbook together for getting the SPF roofing, and insulation, industries back to work in the recovery is the highest priority for SPFA.
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If like many of us, you have been bouncing around from one source of information to the next, SPFA has attempted to curate for you an assembly of the best related information that should assist your sprayfoam business during these challenging times. Check back often as information is quickly changing.
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NRCA provides guidance and information on several issues involving Covid-19 to assist in managing business through the crisis. This includes best practices for prevention; links to authoritative information from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and Occupational Safety and Health Administration; legal resources, including key contract provisions; insurance resources; federal financial assistance; employers’ and employees’ rights; and more.
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