If you're looking to apply spray foam insulation, you need to make sure you have the right tools and equipment. A spray foam gun is essential for the chemical reactions between materials A and B that occur in the gun. It's important to get a high-quality spray gun to prevent blockages, excessive or insufficient spraying. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is also necessary for applicators, assistants, and other workers who may enter the aerosol foam application work area.\It's important to note that SPF formulations may vary, particularly with respect to the chemicals on the B side.
Contact your provider for more detailed information about re-entry time for workers or reoccupancy time for residents or others. Appropriate work area restrictions should be implemented (signs or adhesive tape) to limit entry to personnel wearing appropriate PPE until the level of chemical concentrations in the air is below the applicable occupational exposure limits. The right tools and equipment make your insulation project faster, smoother and safer.\A checklist of items you need before you start includes air purifying respirators (APR) and motorized air purifying respirators (PAPR). These are generally appropriate for outdoor applications and can be used to spray polyurethane foam in outdoor applications.
For larger projects, you may need a 16- to 20-foot custom trailer with all the components needed to install any polyurethane foam product. Disposable coveralls are also necessary for applicators and assistants to prevent spray and mist from coming into contact with skin and clothing.\It's important to get the right training and support from the start to ensure the long-term viability of a new spray foam contracting business. The Polyurethane Foam Alliance Spray (SPFA) offers “industry certification” and Profoam offers this training course on a quarterly basis. Most of the maintenance is done with the spray gun itself, where the two chemicals come together just before leaving the gun.
Air samples can be collected at specific time intervals during the application and after the spray application has ceased. The work area must be properly restricted to personnel who must be in the work area because of their job responsibilities, who have completed the required training, and who correctly use the required PPE. Consult the safety data sheet (SDS) in advance for all materials that will be used in the work, to find out if those materials will be present and, if so, how to meet applicable OSHA requirements.\Knowing the type of market or markets you are targeting will help determine if your equipment should operate with high or low pressure, if you should have mobile spraying equipment or independent equipment, if you need a generator and what other types of support equipment will be needed for that particular application. Prices for aerosol foam applications vary from product to product and in the thickness of the product to be installed.
OSHA requires that a collision* or safety shower be placed in the work area where eyes or body may be exposed to “corrosive” or “harmful” materials.\In conclusion, having all of the necessary tools and equipment is essential for successful spray foam insulation installation. Make sure you get high-quality spray guns, PPE, air purifying respirators, disposable coveralls, custom trailers, training courses, safety data sheets, generators, and safety showers before starting your project.
