I received a good question recently about using Spray Foam Insulation in a building that was planned to be used for refrigerated storage. I have worked on a few of these refrigerated storage buildings this year while I don't recall working on any in the prior five years, so if you hear the building market is cooling down maybe that's what they mean. For Halberg Engineering, it has been another great year.The refrigerated storage buildings I have worked on in the past have all been constructed of Structural Insulated Panels, or SIP, buildings where the engineered package for the building structure itself has been designed by the SIP manufacturer. This type of project has been very similar to a Steel Building project in which the building and structural engineering for it is provided by the manufacturer of the building while the foundation design and other code design issues must be handled by a competent engineer working on the Owner's behalf.
On the request I received the other day, the builder was inquiring about the use of sprayed foam insulation, a polyurethane product similar to CoreBond, applied to the inside of the exterior steel roofing and siding as a way to insulate the building for refrigerated storage.
Because of the potential fire danger from using foams that may be flammable, there are certain requirements in the code that these insulation producst must satisfy. In my experience, SIP's have their own Wisconsin Building Products Evaluation, such as the panels by Energy Panel Structures, Inc.
SIP's are typically installed without a separate vapor barrier and without a separate thermal barrier required because of the sandwich construction of the panel. Spray on foam products such as CoreBond insulation may require the vapor barrier and a separate thermal barrier to meet the same requirements of the code that the SIP's have.
The best advice I can provide to owners and builders considering the use of these insulated products in their design/build project is to contact a design professional and get manufacturer's data to understand the code implications as early in the design process as possible.
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Your absolutely correct that a professional should be contacted before starting the project. I work for a company that manufactures various types of spray polyurethane foam and most of the companies in the industry have engineers and technical representatives on staff who can help with any questions potential users may have. Most companies offer this service via phone at no charge. You can also get some answers from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance website at www.sprayfoam.org There are many products available and contractors throughout the world. In most cases the company also has a list of certified contractors who service particular areas which can be obtained by contacting the supplier.
Many companies provide this service through phone at no cost. You can as well get some answers from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance website. There are lots of products obtainable and suppliers throughout the world.
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