Masonry Magazine December 2011 Page. 44
INDUSTRY NEWS
About 100 people attended the Convention, ranging from rental companies and manufacturers, to unions and end-users, and reactions to the event were positive. Attendees were able to learn about their business and discover how they can, through a sustainability plan, improve their bottom line and simultaneously stop filling their trash bins.
"I've been covering these topics for years and from my perspective, the biggest obstacle is no longer a lack of information or a failure among those in the industry to believe in the necessity for safety and training," says Jenny Lescohier, editor of Rental Product News. "Right now, I believe the problem boils down to a lack of follow through. There needs to be a shift in thinking where safety and comprehensive training go from being 'nice to haves' to jobsite imperatives. The solution to the problem remains elusive, but events like the IPAF Convention go a very long way toward finding it."
InsulBloc Gains ICC Approval
A new International Code Council (ICC) Evaluation Service report gives approval for SPF insulations, based on 2012 building codes, to InsulStar (residential) and InsulBloc (commercial) closed-cell spray foam insulations from NCFI Polyurethanes.
The report, ESR-1615, for InsulStar and InsulBloc does the following:
* Approves both insulations for use as a vapor retarders, air barriers, and as air-impermeable insulations
* Includes evaluation of DC-315 as an alternative thermal barrier coating
* Recognizes use of both insulations as water-resistive barriers
* Recognizes InsulBloc for all building types (I, II, III, IV and V under IBC) and InsulStar for all dwellings under the IRC.
Jason Hoerter, P.E., senior product manager with NCFI, says the ICC report better defines for code officials and builders how the products can, and are, used.
"Former reports were not as clear and precise as this new release," says Hoerter. "Our technical staff spends a great deal of time working with code officials, architects, builders and spray foam contractors interpreting the language and educating each other on its intent. This report does a very good job making it concise, and provides a chart that will help U.S. building stakeholders not only choose the best products for the job, but also guide them in applications. Plus, it tests according to new 2012 codes, so they can trust they have the most up-to-date product information." IMAS
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