Expanding Insulating Foam for filling gaps around windows

I also need an asnwer to this question! The question posted by Dieter is not exactly the same as this request....

What is the VOC limit for Spray Foam Insullation? (Two-Component Spray Foam to be used in Door/Windor Frame systems)

If you are using a polyurethane based spray foam insulation, product literature indicates: "Spray Foam does not contain any VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Nor does it contain any formaldehyde, bleach, CFCs (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) or HCFCs (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons)."

So they say...... ;o) It is inert, which is not to say it does not contain nasty stuff that might contibute to toxins emitting in the event of a fire, but it does not emit under installed conditions.

I'm not convinced that a spray foam insulation is in the scope of this credit. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? Yes, it's kind of used as an adhesive, and it has adhering qualities, but it's an insulation product—right?Regarding the labeling on the can, it might be true that it doesn't contain any regulated VOCs. But that doesn't make it inert—the definition of VOC that is most often used is a technical one based on chemicals that contribute to specific kinds of outdoor pollution.

Tristan - no, it does not really belong in this Credit, as it is an insulation product, not an adhesive and more than a sealant (although it is used to seal around window and door frames). I was just answering her question. The quote is from typical product literature which all claim green, green, green, and I expect that it is correct in saying that it does not emit once installed. However, I'm quite sure it contains chemicals of concern so that during the manufacturing process and in the event of fire it is on the dark side of VOC issues.

Thank you! I totally agree with both of you. I have been toying with this issue for some time now and wanted some additional feedback. Even though spray foam insullation may not fall into this category, I agree with Peggy that it is a material inside the weatherproofing membrane that potentially could offgas toxic chemicals. I've been really stuggling on how to document this material and if it needs to comply with VOC limits. Specifically, I'm finalizing spec language and want to know if I should make a commment in the specs to require VOC documentation submittals. In the past I never have included it, but more recently I have given this a second thought and feel like from a Holistic stand point that limits should be applied to materials like this.

In your experience, have you ever seen a LEED Reviewer call out this material? Or seen Spray insullations spec'd with VOC limits? Just trying to do my full due dilligence :-) Thanks for all your help!

Hey Megan - I had two projects with spray insulation as an obvious building component, and the reviewers never asked about it. (Caveat: these were v2.2.) There is an insulation formaldehyde requirement (aimed at batt) in LEED-HC, but not NC.

Thanks Mara for the confirmation!
Will be interesting if they decided to expand in v4 :-)

It is included in v4 - the low emitting materials credits have become really complicated!

According to the review comments I recently received on a project, spray foam insulation must be documented under this credit. Below is the reviewers' comment:
"However, the Materials and Resources Calculator shows that several products (including but not limited to: Bayer Bayseal CC Spray
Applied Polyurethane Insulation and Southwest Spray-applied Fireproofing) have been installed on the project, but have not been
included in this credit as required."

According to the LEED review team, which SCAQMD Rule #1168 Classification of Material did the "spray foam insulation" fit in? I'm confused about the appropriate VOC limit. In Dieter Ploeger's previous post of March 8th, 2013 "Plastic Foam Adhesives" were discussed, but this doesn't seem to fit into that classification.

Perhaps you could send Rule 1168 to the Reviewers to ask them: http://www.arb.ca.gov/DRDB/SC/CURHTML/R1168.PDF

This seems to be an old thread, but I am still confused as to whether spray applied foam insulation falls under the requirements for Credit 4. From reading the "Bird's Eye View":
• Do products applied to the weather barrier need to comply with VOC thresholds?
GBCI has issued a clarification that the actual barrier does not need to comply with this credit. Any applied products that are "touched by the indoor air" would need to be considered for IEQc4.1, but if they fall outside of this they can be excluded.
The spray foam insulation touches indoor air when applied, however doesn't once the wall finishes are installed.
Any experience or guidance with this material out there?

Thank you all.

Last question first: All products inside the weather barrier must comply with LEED VOC limits even if they are ultimately covered by interior finish materials. Off-gassing prior to finishing can adversely affect IAQ. Also, interior finishes do not necessarily seal the cavities behind entirely from the interior air.

First question: If the spray-foam product is sold and used only as insulation, IEQc4.1 probably does not apply. However, 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 spray-foam that self-identify their products as “Plastic Foam Adhesives” that comply with SCAQMD-1168’s 50 g/L VOC limit. I have also seen some foams that report higher VOC content and others that do not report VOC content at all.