By Gregory Havel
One type of insulation that is being used more frequently today than in the past isplasticthat is foamed in place. The most common of these is polyurethane foam.
Polyurethane foam is made by mixing a polyol (a form of alcohol) with one or more isocyanates or di-isocyanates. These two chemicals are pumped separately from tanks or drums to the spray喷嘴, where the polyol and the isocyanate are mixed, and sprayed on the surface to be insulated. The reaction between the chemicals forms the foam and is exothermic (produces heat), so the foam must be applied in layers and allowed to fully expand and cool before the next layer is applied.
Foamed-in-place insulation has many applications.
Photo 1 shows polyurethanefoamthat has been applied as insulation and sealant inside a masonry cavity wall. This foam will be covered with brick veneer.
(1) Photos by author.
Photo 2 shows polyurethane foam that has been used to seal an opening around pipes and cables to separate two parts of a crawlspaceunder a building.
(2)
Photo 3 shows polyurethane foam that has been applied as insulation and vaporbarrierinside a steel stud exterior wall.
(3)
Photo 4 shows polyurethane foam that has been applied as insulation and vapor barrier inside a wood studexteriorwall.
(4)
Photo 5 shows polyurethane foam insulation that has been injected into the cores of an exteriorconcreteblock wall.
(5)
图6显示了聚氨酯泡沫已经达成ied to the underside of asteelroof deck as insulation and vapor barrier.
(6)
Thechemical异氰酸酯和二异氰酸酯的特性足够危险，以至于职业安全与健康管理局对其使用有一个全国重点计划，包括应用喷雾泡沫绝缘材料。这些化学物质的方面和特征包括以下内容：
- They are skin, eye, and respiratory system irritants.
- They are respiratory system sensitizers; an initial exposure can sensitize a person so that a second exposure can cause a more severe reaction including flu-like symptoms, life-threatening asthma, and permanently diminished lung function.
- They require a written respiratory protection plan to protect the workers.
- 他们需要对经常或意外暴露于他们的人进行预识别和定期的医学评估。
- Require use of disposable coveralls, shoe covers, head coverings, and gloves for workers who apply or handle the chemicals.
- Require use of eye protection at all times.
- Require use of respiratory protection during chemical handling and foam application. For chemical handling and foam application outdoors, a half-mask respirator with organic vapor cartridges may provide sufficient protection. For foam application indoors, a full-face piece supplied-air respirator is required.
- They require training by the employer before use.
- They require removal of all ignition sources before application begins and until the foam is cured.
- Their use requires a copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) or safety data sheet (SDS) to be present on the job site.
During outdoor application, the work area must be isolated with barricades or barrier tape so that no one who is not a spray foam worker in proper personal protective equipment (PPE) can be within 50 feet of or downwind from the work area. This includes sealing nearby windows and doors; shutting down heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; and sealing air intakes.
During indoor application, the work area must be isolated, and no one without training and proper PPE can be permitted in the area and for 24 hours after application, with continuous ventilation. This includes shutting down HVAC systems and sealing air intakes for areas of the building where the insulation is not being applied.
急救对异氰酸酯的短期影响s depends on the mixture of chemicals used in the foam components. See the MSDS or SDS for the products in use at the job site.
Once a person has been diagnosed as sensitized to isocyanates or di-isocyanates, no further chemical exposure can be permitted.
Most polyurethane foam insulation is thermoset plastic; it retains its shape when heated after curing and will ignite when it gets hot enough. The foam may have a fire retardant chemical added, which will increase its ignition temperature and make it self-extinguishing, which will then increase the amount of smoke that it produces when burned.
When polyurethane foam, adhesives, and sealants burn, the intermediate products of combustion include acrolein, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and butyraldehyde. The final products of combustion include carbon (soot) (C), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Phosgene (COCl2) or hydrogen chloride (HCl) may also be produced if chlorine is present during combustion.
Burning polyurethane foam, adhesives, and sealants will generate a lot of smoke, and it can be cooled and extinguished with water if it is a thermoset form of the plastic. If it is a thermoplastic melting and burning, water fog will cool it, cause the melted plastic to solidify, and extinguish the fire.
Buildings with polyurethane foam insulation, adhesives, and sealants have a large quantity of this material, with toxic and irritating products of combustion, which require used of self-contained breathing apparatus and full turnouts. This PPE needs gross decontamination before any parts of the PPE are removed outside the building and complete decontamination and laundering before storage or reuse. Firefighters who have been exposed also need to shower and change their clothing in addition to decontaminating their PPE and laundering their uniforms or street clothing.
In addition, because of their potential exposure to carcinogens and other toxic chemicals, firefighters need regularly scheduled physical exams including cardiac and pulmonary function tests as well as cancer screening. PPE must be stored away from sleeping, dining, and rest areas in fire stations and should not be stored in personal vehicles or at home where children can play with it.
将本文作为PDF下载HERE
Gregory Havelis a member of the Town of Burlington (WI) Fire Department; retired deputy chief and training officer; and a 35-year veteran of the fire service. He is a Wisconsin-certified fire instructor II, fire officer II, and fire inspector; an adjunct instructor in fire service programs at Gateway Technical College; and safety director for Scherrer Construction Co., Inc. Havel has a bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College; has more than 35 years of experience in facilities management and building construction; and has presented classes at FDIC.
MORE CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS
