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Frequently
Asked Questions
Have
questions? Contact Foam Insulators of NC today!
In
what applications can
PolyMaster
foam be used?
PolyMaster foam can be used for a variety of insulation
applications, including block fill, cavity fill, residential
wall fill, specialty applications like refrigeration, commercial
retrofit, even sealing abandoned storage tanks and mineshafts.
Does
foam improve firewall ratings?
Foamed-in-place
foams like PolyMaster have minimal impact on firewall ratings.
Although the foam does not burn, it tends to vaporize under
extreme heat, which means it makes only a minor contribution
to firewall performance. It is wrong to assume that any foam
will significantly boost firewall performance.
Some foam
manufacturers have constructed four-hour firewall tests, but
these tests typically involve wall constructions of fire-rated
block and multiple bond beams so the wall will stand up to
the fire testing. In such cases, the foam does not impact
the wall performance to any significant degree. It is the
wall construction that determines whether it passes or fails
the test.
We recommend
that any firewall claim be reviewed carefully by the architect
or contractor to make sure it does not require an unusual
or expensive wall construction. PolyMaster's Architectural
Consultants are always happy to review plans and provide guidance
on how our foam will perform in the planned construction.
How
expensive is PolyMaster foam compared to other products?
PolyMaster
foamed-in-place insulation is very competitive, especially
when you look at the total cost of the insulation job. PolyMaster
foam installs more quickly than board products and there is
no trimming or waste.
When
can PolyMaster foam be installed?
At
any time after a wall is constructed. PolyMaster foam can
be put in place immediately after, or at any time during,
the construction process. PolyMaster is ideal for retrofit
installations because it only requires a small opening (as
small as 5/8") for installation.
Why
is shipping foam dry better?
Shipping
foam dry to the job site has two advantages. First, shipping
foam dry reduces energy consumption in transportation by over
75%. Second, foam in liquid form has a short shelf-life. If
the product is frozen or overheated, or if it is not used
within 7 days of manufacturing, the result can be incomplete
chemical reaction creating wet wall syndrome and consequently,
the foam can lose insulating performance.
PolyMaster
eliminates this problem by shipping foam in dry form and having
the certified installer mix it on site. (In cases where foam
is to be used immediately, PolyMaster can ship foam in liquid
form.)
Is
PolyMaster foam environmentally safe?
PolyMaster
foam contains no CFCs. It uses air as a blowing agent instead
of any other gas, so there is no thermal drift. It is inert
and will ultimately degrade into a powder if not installed
in an insulation cavity. PolyMaster foam is used to seal abandoned
storage tanks and mineshafts and has been used as a daily
cover for landfills.
In some
applications, the dry foam may be mixed with recycled water
creating a "green" product. PolyMaster's dry foam
produces no adverse environmental effects.
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