Dow Spray Foam Insulation Meets Stricter ICC-ES Flammability Test
MIDLAND, Mich. – November 4, 2009 – Dow Building Solutions announced that its STYROFOAM™ Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation RS Series meets new, stricter flammability test criteria for attics and crawl spaces set by the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES). With Dow’s patent-pending formulation, contractors can now leave spray foam insulation in unoccupied attics and crawl spaces exposed and still meet the latest flammability test requirements.
“Spray foam insulation contractors are looking for practical ways to create energy efficient attics and crawl spaces and meet code without adding extra steps,” said John Hammer, North America marketing manager, Dow Building Solutions. “With Dow’s line of spray foam, our customers can not only meet the flammability requirement, they can complete the job faster with fewer materials.”
Dow’s patent pending line of spray foam products can be left exposed up to 10 inches thick in walls, floors and joists, per the recently updated ICC-ES AC377 Appendix X (modified NFPA 286) Room Corner fire test for unoccupied attics and crawl spaces. STYROFOAM™ Brand SPF Insulation RS Series does not require an ignition barrier or intumescent coating when used in unoccupied attics and crawl spaces, saving labor and material costs.
“Contractors and builders have asked for this technology in order to reduce labor and material costs. Dow put this challenge to their world-class R&D team who responded with innovation once again,” said Hammer.
STYROFOAM™ Brand SPF Insulation helps prevent the air leakage and heat transfer that can overwork a home’s heating and cooling system and waste energy. Serving as both insulation and air barrier, the medium density closed-cell spray foam with the latest fire test compliance has the trademark BLUE™ color of its STYROFOAM™ Brand rigid foam insulation counterparts.
DISCLAIMER: STYROFOAM™ Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam should be installed by a trained SPF applicator wearing protective clothing, gloves, goggles and proper respiratory protection. Consult the instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets carefully before use.
About ICC Evaluation Service, Inc.
ICC-ES is the United States’ leading source of technical information on building products and building technology for code compliance. A nonprofit, public-benefit corporation, ICC-ES performs technical evaluations of building products, components, methods, and materials. The evaluation process culminates with the issuance of reports on compliance with the major U.S. building codes, which are available at www.icc-es.org.
About Dow Building Solutions
Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and home/building owners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.5 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
For sales information, please call 1-800-232-2436. For technical inquiries, please call 1-866-583-BLUE (2583). For further information, please contact Jan McKinnon, Sr. Communications Manager, The Dow Chemical Company, on (519) 541-0336, jmckinnon@dow.com ; or Marissa Peterson of Gibbs & Soell Public Relations, on (212) 697-2600, mpeterson@gibbs-soell.com
