Spray-On Insulation

Spray-On Insulation BUILDINGS New Techniques 1-1-13 Its excellent resistance to fire and condensation has triggered nationwide interest in new spray-on cellulose wood fiber insulation for new or existing farm buildings. Technically, it isn't completely fireproof in that it will burn under extremely intense heat. But, with a flame speed of 25 or less, it's classified as a Class A non-combustible material. It won't burn under a hot blow torch flame and, unlike some other types of insulation, doesn't melt down or produce toxic fumes when exposed to intense heat. Because of its excellent fire resistance, it's catching on fast as a protective coating sprayed over highly combustible foam insulations to reduce the danger of fire. Cellulose wood fiber has been around for years as a loose-fill type of insulation. Now, thanks to new equipment and a new liquid adhesive, it's available as a spray-on insulation that adheres to metal, wood, concrete, glass and most other surfaces. "Business is booming," reports Dale Pollock, president of Diversified Insulation, headquartered at Hamel, Minn. In the past two years, his firm has opened branch manufacturing plants in Kansas, Iowa and North Dakota to meet growing demand for cellulose fiber insulation. The firm sells loose-fill insulation under the Shelter Shield label, and spray-on insulation under the Shelter Spray label. Another major manufacturer is Thermo Products Co., headquartered at Clinton, Texas. It manufactures spray-on cellulose insulation under the trade name of ThermoCon which is sold through regional Thermo Product sales offices in Tulsa, Okla., and Memphis, Tenn. "Farmer interest in ThermoCon has been tremendous," reports Leon Sitton, president of the Memphis office. "Some are having it sprayed over foam insulation for fire protection. Others are using it primarily to solve condensation and humidity problems in existing buildings." Sitton cites a comparison test with identical metal buildings located in Memphis, Tenn., each measuring 17,000 total sq. ft. of surface area (roof and walls). Annual heating cost was $939 without insulation, $445 with 1.5 in. of vinyl-faced blanket insulation, and $247 with 1-in. of ThermoCon spray-on cellulose insulation. "From 44 to 66% of the insulation value of the vinyl-faced blanket insulation is lost when the blankets are stretched between purlins and girts," Sitton points out. "When the blankets are stretched from the top of one purlin to the top of the next, the true R value is only achieved in the center between the two. Spray-on ThermoCon, on the other hand, completely covers purlins and girts, conforming to their exact shape and width with no heat leaks or breaks. You get 100% insulation of the sides for maximum efficiency." A relatively new wrinkle in insulation for farm buildings is to erect false ceilings, with lower-cost loose-fill insulation poured 8 to 10 in. deep on top of the false ceiling. Walls below the false ceiling are sprayed with spray-on cellulose insulation which, because of its good fire protection, needs no additional paneling or other protective cover ù unless, of course, it's a livestock building. In this case, the lower area exposed to animal contact would have to be protected with paneling. Cost for having spray-on cellulose insulation custom applied (in a 1-in. thick layer) ranges from 30 to 60 cents per foot, with the going rate for large buildings in the 35 to 40 cent range. Spray-on application equipment manufactured by Diversified Insulation starts at $3,500. Total outlay for setting up a custom business is about $20,000. In setting up new dealerships, Pollock insists, as part of the contract, that the new dealer and his equipment operators attend a training session, "We also insist that one of our men help with the first job or two to check out equipment, operators, procedures and so forth." Spray-on insulation can be applied to older metal or wood surfaces, provided the surface is clean and free of grease and rust. If old metal is rusty, it should first be sandblasted. Another limitation is that the insula

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