Insulation type & description needed

[David C. Macy]

What is this type of insulation called & is there the potential of asbestos?

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Looks like expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads or shredded scrap from manufacture of EPS (beadboard) semirigid foam boards. No asbestos in this stuff.

[phinsperger]

Without seeing a close up I would agree with Brian, expanded polystyrene.

[pdickerson]

David, it looks too light for Vermiculite, but I can't tell for sure without a closeup. Do you know what vermiculite looks like?

[scosta]

Just found this site, pretty good info.
http://www.energytechpro.com/Demo-RE...tion_Types.htm

Steve

[David P. Valley]

I've never seen the white stuff, but I know it's not vermiculite.

The dirty (black covered) insulation under the white stuff appears to be rock wool.

I wouldn't worry about asbestos in this attic.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads

You might find that the owner might have worked in a factory like this and had left overs. ha. ha.


Molding of Blocks
The molding process involves taking the loose expanded beads and forming them into a solid block mass. R-Control's blocks are formed using a state of the art, vacuum assisted, block mold. By utilizing a system of load cells, the computer is capable of controlling the exact weight of beads introduced into the mold cavity. Once the cavity is filled, the computer uses a vacuum system to evacuate residual air from the cavity. The vacuum is relieved by live steam which flows over the entire mass of beads in the cavity. This vacuum rinsing process softens the polymer structure of the bead surface and is immediately followed by the pressurization of the mold cavity with more live steam. The latent heat from the steam and subsequent pressure increase cause the beads to further expand. Since this is a confined environment, the only way the beads can expand is to fill up any voids between them causing the soft surfaces to fuse together into a polyhedral type solid structure. The computer releases the pressure after it reaches its predetermined set point. The loose beads are now fused into a solid block. R-Control's high tech molding equipment goes one step further after the pressure is released by submitting the newly formed block to a partial vacuum which allows for a faster cooling period. This added step pulls residual moisture from the block resulting in a drier, better fused block of EPS. The block is ejected from the mold and another cycle is ready to run


Marcel

[phinsperger]

Marcel, you seem to have a vast amount of knowledge resources at your finger tips. So I will ask this question? What's the formula for polyurathane spray foam - either single part or two part?

How do know if spray foamed application contains a fireretardant. The colour, as far as I know, simply signifies who the manuf. is not if it has the fire retardant. In the states, if the spray foam contains a fire retardant does it still require to be covered with a fire rated material?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Hi. Paul;

I have used many of these products and hope it answers your questions.

http://www.foampower.com/products/two_component.html

http://www.betterfoam.com/TwoCompone...0/Default.aspx

They also make a spray product for the Corbond system two component to make fire rated, but very expensive.

Marcel

[phinsperger]

It would seem from one of those links that my last question was answered.

Now what about the formula?

And how do we as inspectors, without trying to burn a sample (which I would defiantely do not recommend), or asking the sellers, know if a spray foam we find in a house is firerated?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by phinsperger

It would seem from one of those links that my last question was answered.

Now what about the formula?

And how do we as inspectors, without trying to burn a sample (which I would defiantely do not recommend), or asking the sellers, know if a spray foam we find in a house is firerated?

http://www.firechem.com/index.htm

http://cableorganizer.com/3m-fire-pr...m-spray200.htm

http://www.sprayfoam.com/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=47

http://www.smooth-on.com/MSDS-PDF/Sp...20-%20MSDS.pdf

I think the bottom line would be that there is no sure way of identifying the product to be fire rated protected and if there is a formula out there to tell us any different, please share with us.

Most spray foam products will require to be covered with a fire resistant material when exposed.

If you should have anything to add, please feel free and I am all ears as they say.

In this case all eyes. ha. ha.

Marcel

[phinsperger]

Thanks Marcel,

That last link provided at least part of the formula


Part A
4, 4’ Methylene bis(phenylisocyanate) CAS#101-68-8 ____40-45% by weight
Polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate CAS#9016-87-9 ___55-60% by weight

Part B

New Jersey Trade Secret#221290880-5006P ______80-97% by weight

New Jersey Trade Secret#221290880-5006P _______0-20% by weight
New Jersey Trade Secret#221290880-5006P _______0-20% by weight

That's for one manufacture anyways.
I don't know if its true or not but heard something about one manuf. using egg whites plus a bunch of other chemicals.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by phinsperger

Thanks Marcel,

That last link provided at least part of the formula



Part A
4, 4’ Methylene bis(phenylisocyanate) CAS#101-68-8 ____40-45% by weight
Polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate CAS#9016-87-9 ___55-60% by weight

Part B

New Jersey Trade Secret#221290880-5006P ______80-97% by weight

New Jersey Trade Secret#221290880-5006P _______0-20% by weight
New Jersey Trade Secret#221290880-5006P _______0-20% by weight








That's for one manufacture anyways.
I don't know if its true or not but heard something about one manuf. using egg whites plus a bunch of other chemicals.

Paul,

If you're going to continue with that font, I'll go get my magnifying glass....

[Marcel R. Cyr]

David, I had to put my glasses on for that one too. ha. ha.

Paul, here is the link for A and B for tiger foam, could not find the information for the same for the Corbond Product I use.
Hope this helps.

Part A = http://www.tigerfoam.com/PDF-FILES/T...A-REV-0405.pdf

Part B = http://www.tigerfoam.com/PDF-FILES/T...B-REV-0405.pdf

Since most of these closed cell spray foam products are the same, I figured it would not make to much difference, but maybe it does.

Marcel

[phinsperger]

You da man Marcel