"Cool" Articles

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CODES AND APPROVALS

We must comply with governmental regulations and codes that are designed to maintain standards necessary for the protection of the public and property. This of course is also true of the building trades and manufacturers who supply the trades.
(SPFA Industry Testing & Approvals - IO1-R)

1. ROOF COVERING/ ROOF DECK CONSTRUCTION AND INSULATION CODES AND APPROVALS PROTECT YOUR ROOF, YOUR BUILDING... AND YOUR CUSTOMERS/ BUILDING OWNERS
"Building codes regulate the design, construction & maintenance of buildings. They are enforceable with minimum standards."

2. POLYURETHANE FOAM PRODUCTS THAT MEET BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS REDUCE THE BURDEN OF FIRE, LIABILITY ANT) OTHER HAZARDS
"Building Codes promote a level playing field for designers, suppliers and builders" and building inspectors.

3. POLYURETHANE PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS THAT MEET FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS PROVIDE LIABILITY PROTECTION AND ASSURANCE NECESSARY FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Fire resistance of building structures and the burning characteristics of building materials is paramount to everyone in the code agency, city inspector, contractor and tenant or resident.

4. POLYURETHANE FOAM AND INSULATION PRODUCTS & SYSTEMS MUST MEET:
a. Fire Resistance Standards - ASTM. UL Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories
b. Basic Test Methods & Follow Up Requirements- Q.C. Manual guidelines, UL, ICC
c. Product Labeling Requirements - UL approved products should be labeled as follows:
"UL Classified - For Roofing Systems As To External Fire Exposure -- 46PO"
(Similar label)
Label should include model code agency, Fire Marshal & City city
(as applicable)
d. Wind Uplift and Impact Resistance may also be required (depending upon area of country).

5. APPROVALS ARE REQUIRED ON NEW ROOF CONSTRUCTION AND ROOF RECOVER APPLICATIONS
"Codes apply to new construction generally and existing buildings that undergo reconstruction, rehabilitation or alteration."
a. UL Roof System approvals should include foam, coatings and surfacing
b. Ask your manufacturer for copies of their foam system approvals
c. Check the web for your manufacturer's approvals and listings. It's quick and easy.
d. Check "UL Roofing Materials & Systems Directory" (FM Approval Guide as necessary)
e. Check for Model Code Approvals & required Regional & City approvals in your areas
f. Check ICC on the web for their current Report Number

6. ASTM - WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
"ASTM provides test methods to evaluate products, materials, specifications, practices and guidelines for a level playing field of requirements and assurance after construction is complete.
a. American Society of Testing & Materials/ American Standards in Building Codes is the Bible of Tests for our industry.
b. "ASTM Standards of Construction and Building Design Industries are authentic sources of test procedures and the basis for acceptable quality of materials and constructions"
THE WAY IT WAS
C. ASTM standards referenced by the ICC, provided assurance that products and systems complied within the codes.
aa. BOCA - Now combined as part of AC (International Code Council)
bb. SBCCI - Now combined as part of ICC.
cc. ICBO - Now combined as part of ICC. It's important to note that a major resolution in California in 2005 keeps ICC in the drivers seat over NFPA as ICC won a 3 year decision that effects much of the country in which ICC model codes will be followed.
d. ASTM C-1029 requirements previously postponed, were again addressed by the SPFA in 2001 and again in 2002 with ICBO gone (Now ICC). SWD Urethane Company was subject to them in 2003, completing all the test requirements. New AC-12 & AC-75 criteria was modified in 2004, AC 75 planned for modification and was accepted in 2005. ICC is the the code requested by most building inspectors in the Southwest.
STILL IN FORCE
e. ASTM standards often used for the polyurethane roof industry include E-119, E-108,
E-84, E-96, D-1621, D-1622, D-1623, D-412, D-2240, C-177, E-1918, E-408, E-903.
ASTM D-6083 is coming on strong for 2005 & 2006.
f.Test requirements include procedures for fire resistance, permeability, tensile & compressive strengths, elongation, R-Value, k factor and much more.

7. UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES
a. UL-94 Flammability of Plastics Materials For Parts In Devices and Appliances
Horizontal & Vertical Burn Tests
b. UL-263 Fire Tests Of Building Construction and materials
Bearing and Non-Bearing Walls and Partitions Test - Interior Floor & Roof Assemblies
(Note) P-733 Underside Roof Assembly Fire Test Approval is available from SPFA and SWD Urethane Company - expressed in hours.
c. UL-580 Uplift Resistance of Roof Assemblies
d. UL-790 Fire Resistance of Roof Covering Materials (First & foremost on test decks)
Class A, B, C Ratings on Combustible & Non-Combustible Decks
aa. Intermittant Flame Test
bb. Spread of Flame Test
cc. Burning Brand Test
e. UL-723 Surface Burning Characteristics of Burning Materials (Steiner Tunnel Test)
aa. Class I - Spread of Flame 25 & Under (Smoke developed under 450)
bb. Class II - Spread of Flame 75 & Under (Smoke developed over 450)
(Note: Smoke requirement is waived on exterior roofing applications)
f. UL-997 Wind Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials
g. UL-1256 Fire Test of Roof deck Constructions (White House Test)
h. UL-1897 Uplift Tests for Roof Covering Systems
i. UL-2218 Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Material

8. FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH/ FM GLOBAL
Independent nationally recognized mutual insurance company engineering and research organization may test, approve and accept building materials, equipment and services.
a. Class 1 4470/ 4880 - (10) manufacturers foam & coating systems were tested and approved in 1995 for fire resistance, 150 wind lift, simulated hail damage, resistance to foot traffic and susceptibility to leakage.
b. The same (10) companies conducted a second test in 2000 with an approval for foam application to metal decks.
c. Final FM test was completed with new SWD 125 foam in 2004 and first used in 2005 and now standard in 2006. Check with Arizona Foam & Spray, or SWD Urethane Company for information & approvals.

9. NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY
Key source for the development and dissemination of knowledge about fire and life safety. National fire codes are used for regulation and legislation at all levels. NFPA code development cycle is 104 weeks.
a. NFPA 25I... UL-263... ASTM E-1l9
b. NFPA 255... UL-723... ASTM E-108
c. NFPA 256... UL-790... ASTM E-84
d. State Fire Marshall compliance and approval as required. (California is mandatory)

10. CITY CODE COMPLIANCE
a. City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles report is mandatory)
b. New York City... (Check with the key cities in your area.)

11. MAJOR CODE COUNCILS
Major code councils are your assurance that foam products and systems (whether roofing insulation, building envelope or other foam applications), have been subjected to stringent testing with evaluation reports for your protection and use, as well as architects and building inspectors.
a. ICC - International Code Council now includes all previous model codes combined b b. NFPA 5000 - National Fire Protection Association Model Code

12. EPA "ENERGY STAR" REFLECTIVE COMPLIANCE
a. Manufacturer/ Charter Partner requirements
b. Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU)
c. January 1, 2001 - New requirements and new slogan (Saving More Than Money)
d. Annual submission of up-to-date product documentation and compliance is required.
e. Initial Solar Reflectance - greater or equal to 0.65 - (ASTM E-903)
f.. Maintenance of Solar Reflectance - 0.50 after (3 years) (ASTM E-19l8)
g. Coating manufacturer's products must be listed on "Energy Star" 'Qualified Contractor's List' prior to inclusion in the first California Roof Retrofit Cool Coating Incentive Program

13 CRRC (COOL ROOF RATING COUNCIL)
The CRRC has become the major player in all roofs in California and has become a key hub in California's energy policy as provided in California Title 24 Part 6. "In the past roofing was considered to be nothing but the first line of defense for keeping the water out of the building, but now it's considered one of the key elements for reducing the energy use of a building." Western Roofing Magazine July/ August 2005.
"IT'S MANDATORY -EFFECTIVE OCT 1, 2005! Placement of roof/ ceiling insulation shall be installed in direct contact with a continuous roof or ceiling which is sealed to limit infiltration or exfiltration. Roofing surfaces shall have a minimum Solar Reflectance of .70 and a minimum Thermal Emittance of .75." A (3) year observation program of SWD Urethane Company SWD 1929F Quik-Shield ® coating is currently in place in (3) locations across the country to measure ongoing Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance.

14. CODE AND APPROVAL CHANGES
a. Montreal Protocol - January 1, 2003
b. Final end of old blowing agent was to be January 1, 2004.
c. Final end and use of old blowing agent after 6 month extension was July 1, 2004.
c. Final end of special use or storage of old blowing agent on any manufacturer's property in U.S. was January 1, 2005

The old 141b blowing agent is gone the way of freon 10-12 years before it.. After all the fighting with EPA to prevent change. the many years of research and development of the new SWD 125 foam with245fa blowing agent is fabulous,. It goes down like a dream, we get more board feeet than ever before and the spray gun doesn't need cleaning nearly as often. Our applicators love it.

INDUSTRY NEWS
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER APPROVALS

15. UL APPROVED ROOF SYSTEMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT
Manufacturers, contractors, distributors, customers and building owners should have the protection and assurance provided by a complete UL approved roofing system. Note: A Fire Resistant Polyurethane Foam and Coating System must be tested, approved and UL listed with components tested together as a total system... or you don't have a UL approved roof system.
The approved foam system may consist of more than one manufacturer, if approved and shown together in the UL Roofing Systems and Materials Directory. Note: Accurate ICC or NFPA Reports, state & city approvals must also have the entire roof system tested, approved and listed together.

16. IMPORTANT WEB SITES TO REMEMBER
http://www.ul.com
http://www.factorymutual.com
http://www.swdurethane.com
http://www.energystar.gov
http://www.sprayfoam.org
http://www.nfpa.org
http://www.fire.ca.gov
http://www.icc.org
http://www.arithane.com
http://www.fmglobal.com
http://www.coolroofs..org
http://www.fire.swri.org
http://www.bhfti.ca.gov
http://www.lacity.org