Forum discussion
NC-2009 IEQc4.1: Low-Emitting Materials—Adhesives and Sealants
Under what category would a 1-compnent mounting Polyurethane foam fall and consequently what would be the maximum VOC level allowed?
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Do products applied to the weather barrier need to comply with VOC thresholds?
How do I determine what application my product falls under?
How is VOC % less water determined for aerosol adhesives?
Do grout and caulking need to be included, and if so, what is the application category?
Jon Clifford
LEED-AP BD+CGREENSQUARE
LEEDuser Expert
325 thumbs up
September 2, 2014 - 12:01 am
If the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) product is marketed solely as insulation, IEQc4.1 probably does not apply to it.
However, SPF is often sold in cans with a nozzle for sealing around wall penetrations, filling gaps & crevices, or as a mounting adhesive. Since SCAQMD bases VOC limits on a manufacturer’s claims, one must consider all types of applications recommended on product packaging and in product data. If a manufacturer recommends the product for filling & sealing gaps, it must meet SCAQMD VOC limits for “Sealants”. If the manufacturer promotes the product as an adhesive for plastic foam, then the VOC limit for “Substrate-Specific Plastic Foam Applications” applies.
I have seen data from several makers of canned, single-component SPF that self-identify their products as “Plastic Foam Adhesives” that comply with SCAQMD-1168’s 50 g/L VOC limit.
For more information and concerns related to SPF use, see US-EPA’s SPF webpages:
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/spray_polyurethane_foam.html,
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/types_of_spray_polyurethane_foa...,
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/exposure_potential.html, and others.
If that's too much, Tristan wrote an article that summarizes this nicely:
http://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/epa-raises-health-concerns-spray-foa...
Emmanuel Pauwels
OwnerGreen Living Projects
137 thumbs up
September 2, 2014 - 8:52 am
Jon, First of all thanks for your excellent explanation. The product is saying that it can be used for insulating dividing walls, fill gaps and seal prefabricated constructions. So I guess we need to look at it as a Plastic Foam Adhesive with a limit of 50 g/L
Thanks.
patricia vasconcellos
creato consultoria e projetos ltdaSeptember 29, 2014 - 10:46 am
Hi. I need a help about spray polyurethane foam (SPF). Someone could direct me to a brand or a manufacturer that has this product with maximum VOC of 50? I can not find any here in Brazil.
Thanks
Jon Clifford
LEED-AP BD+CGREENSQUARE
LEEDuser Expert
325 thumbs up
October 20, 2014 - 10:56 am
Patricia – I have found a few SPFs here in the US that report under 50g/L VOC. I do not remember them all, but one group is by Bayer MaterialScience. This is an international company, and their website says that they operate in Brazil. I do not know whether they offer the same product there or whether their products meet your project’s requirements. Check with local distributors. There may be additional manufacturers that sell SPF in Brazil. Google it.