For all who want to conduct SPF insulation inspections, start with understanding what correct and complete installation is according to the manufacturer who produced the foam you are inspecting. Consultants inspecting SPF complaints often go in with blinders on and lose focus on the true intent of the investigation which in my opinion should be “What is contributing to occupant discomfort and complaint?” The Consultant should approach the home as a system and be open to all potential contributors to occupant complaint. The chief characteristic that distinguishes the scientific method of investigation from other methods of investigation is that scientists seek to let reality speak for itself, supporting a theory when a theory's predictions are confirmed and challenging a theory when its predictions prove false. Scientific investigation is generally intended to be as objective as possible in order to reduce biased interpretations of results. This is often overlooked when the Consultant conducts an investigation focused on making the evidence support their hypothesis without objective challenge. A good SPF Consultant must remember that while the SPF insulation may be the issue, unless you can say there are no other issues within the home you have not completed your investigation you have just begun.

2. 1 Introduction
2 SPF Odor Investigations
3 Guidance on SPF Inspections
4 SPF Inspection Goal
5 SPF Inspection
6 Categories of Misapplied SPF
7 SPF Executive Summary
8 SPF Questions

3. Introduction
• With the rapid increase in the “Green”
movement and the push for more energy
efficient homes, the use of spray
polyurethane foam SPF insulation is
growing substantially.
• As with most new building products, we’re
left with unique challenges that include;
– Installation, and Installer Training
– Nuisance Odors,
– Chemical Exposure,
– Conditioned Attics, and
– The Ventilation Rate
– The Original Attic Condition

4. Introduction
• Along with the recognized need for
training on the installation side we need
training and understanding on the
consulting side.
• Occupant related complaints have led
to a rise in SPF insulation
investigations by many who have little
understanding of SPF insulation and
how it can alter the indoor environment
even when correctly installed.

5. Who is Inspecting Your SPF
• Today we have all manor of
individuals inspecting SPF.
• Inspections typically begin with a
full scale chemical analysis of the
home and attic.
• The chemical sampling is then
followed up with a small physical
sample of the SPF to confirm that
the chemicals came from the SPF.

6. Who is Inspecting Your SPF
• Done Deal…..Right?
• Not hardly!
• It’s Simply NOT Always the SPF!
• But we’ll never know if we don’t
look.

7. Categories Of Misapplied SPF
A Method to the Madness

8. Categories of Misapplied SPF
• In my experience, SPF
investigations can be categorized in
three distinct categories.
• By using these three assessment
categories, I have had great
success in identifying the catalyst of
SPF associated odors and
complaints.

9. CATEGORY 1
Misapplied SPF
The SPF inspector must remember, that while the SPF insulation
may be the issue, unless you can say there are no other issues
within the home, you have not completed your investigation you’ve
just begun.

10. Category 1
Category 1 Includes:
• Improper ventilation during the
application,
• Incomplete application,
• Off ratio application,
• Application over-spray
• Premature application of coatings

11. Category 1
• Nuisance odors that are directly
associated with incorrectly applied
SPFI can be addressed by either
correcting the areas of misapplied
foam or by removing and re-
insulating those areas.

12. CATEGORY 2
Pre-existing Or Recently
Introduced Contributors
You haven't completed your investigation
you’ve just begun

13. Category 2
• This category cannot be stress
enough to the professionals that are
investigating SPF.
• This category runs the gamut and
can include some rather odd
contributors to occupant discomfort
and nuisance odors that become
much more concentrated when the
SPF is installed.

14. Category 2
• These include the:
– HVAC system,
– air exchange rate,
– storage of materials in the now sealed
space,
– insect and or rodent activity,
– routine pest control applications,
– the previous insulation condition and
material,
– proper ducting of kitchen and bath fans.
• The possibilities are endless

15. Category 2
• The SPF Inspector must ask
relevant questions such as;
– “What is the condition of the new
conditioned space?”
– “What have the occupants been sealed
in with?”
– “How is the air exchange rate being
met?”
– “How is the conditioned space actually
being conditioned?”

16. CATEGORY 3
Sensitization Due To Exposure
A Bell cant be Un-Rung

17. Category 3
• This category is unique in that any
attempt at reducing the occupant’s
exposure to the SPF insulation that
they are now sensitized to may not
be of any relief.
• I have had no luck in providing
sensitized occupants relief from the
home they are now sensitive to.

18. Category 3
• I have been involved in everything
from the introduction of outdoor air
through a pre-filter and dehumidifier
to control the temperature, humidity,
particles, path, and pressure to full
removal of the SPF insulation.
Unfortunately that bell can’t be un-
rung.

19. Categories of Misapplied SPF
• Category 1
– Misapplied SPF
• Category 2
– Pre-existing Or Recently Introduced
Contributors
• Category 3
– Sensitization Due To Exposure
• The Bell that cant be Un-Rung
• None of these Categories can be
identified through chemical sampling
Physical Inspection
Physical Inspection
Interview

20. SPF Odor Investigations
When it comes to the investigation of
occupant complaints associated with SPF
you’ll need more than a few air samples

21. SPF Reality Check
• SPF installed correctly can
– Trap humidity within the sealed attic
– Trap daily use VOC’s in the attic and
home
– Circulate old attic contaminants in the
home
– Alter the homes ventilation rate
– Substantially compromise the homes IAQ
• All of which can lead to occupant
complaint
• It’s Not Always the SPF

22. SPF Odor Investigations
• The investigation of SPF occupant
complaints must begin with the
identification of the SPF installed and then
• The physical inspection of the installed
SPF
• The physical inspection of the applied SPF
is to establish if the applied SPF is
installed correctly or misapplied and the
possible cause and origin of the occupant
complaint
• The investigation must begin with the
physical inspection of the SPF

23. SPF Odor Investigations
• The SPF investigation cannot be
limited to varied attempts at trying to
chemically associate the occupant
complaint with the off-gassing of
SPF.

24. SPF Odor Investigations
• Step 1 - Of any product failure
investigation
• Establish if the product is installed
correctly, misapplied, or failing

25. The SPF Inspection Goal
Step 1 of a product failure report
Establish that the product is misapplied or
failing

26. SPF Inspection Goal
• Has the applicator met the Project
specifications and
• The manufacturer’s installation
requirements?
– Is the SPF Installed Correctly?
A potential case for product failure or
defect that may be impacting the
occupants must begin with the
establishment of correct product
installation and performance.

27. SPF Inspection Goal
• What is the condition of the attic

28. Guidance On SPF Inspections
The Manufactures and SPF Industry have
Guidance Documents
Consultants MUST Use them

29. Guidance on SPF Inspections

30. The SPF Inspection
The Manufactures and SPF Industry have
Guidance Documents Use them

31. THE SPF VISUAL INSPECTION
For all who want to conduct SPF insulation inspections,
start with understanding what correct and complete SPF
installation is according to the manufacturer who
produced the foam you’re inspecting.

32. A Closer Look At Condition 2
“It’s Not Always The SPF”
However
You'll Never Know If You Don’t Look

33. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Heated Over Spray

34. It’s Not Always the SPF
Heated Over Spray

35. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Heated Over Spray

36. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Ventilation of the Attic

37. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s The Air Handler

38. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s Rodents

39. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Prior Loss or Damage

40. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Ducts

41. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Ducting

42. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Exhaust Ducts

43. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s the Old Insulation

44. It’s Not Always the SPF
Sometimes
It’s Just a Filthy Old Attic

45. Summary
• By approaching SPF investigations
without a predetermined opinion,
I’ve found that not all SPF insulation
complaints are a result of
misapplied SPF.

46. SPF Sample Collection
“Let’s Look At Some SPF”
We’re sampling the SPF product not the air. I you intend to show
the product is affecting your client you must first look at the product

47. The SPF Samples
Good SPF

48. The SPF Samples
Good SPF

49. The SPF Samples
Good SPF

50. The SPF Samples

51. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Contaminated Closed – Open Cell SPF

52. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Contaminated Closed – Open Cell SPF

53. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Contaminated Closed – Open Cell SPF

54. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Contaminated Closed – Open Cell SPF

55. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Contaminated Closed – Open Cell SPF

56. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Delamination and Shrinkage

57. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Contaminated Closed – Open Cell SPF
Blistering SPF – Inconsistent Color

58. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Un-Reacted Closed Cell SPF

59. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Un-Reacted Closed Cell SPF

60. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Blistering – Open Cell SPF

61. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Poorly Reacted & Blistering – OC SPF

62. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Blistering – Open Cell SPF

63. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
Blistering – Open Cell SPF

64. Misapplied SPF
Misapplied SPF
De-Lamination – Open Cell SPF

65. Understanding the SPF
Sample
• Determining characteristics such as
– number and thickness of passes
– off-ratio foam;
– scorching;
– knit line adhesion and
– UV degradation;
– color inconsistencies;
– odor; and
– cell structure

66. SPF Number of Passes or
Lifts, and their thickness
1
2
3
4
56

67. 1
2
3

68. SPF Number of Passes or
Lifts, and their thickness

69. SPF Number of Passes or
Lifts, and their thickness

70. SPF Number of Passes or
Lifts, and their thickness

71. SPF Number of Passes or
Lifts, and their thickness

72. SPF Number of Passes or
Lifts, and their thickness

73. Sometimes It’s Coating
SPF Applied Coatings