Recently, Demilec USA’s newest product, Demilec APX, was featured in an episode of the popular television series Designing Spaces on the Lifetime network.  The project was a joint effort between Demilec USA, Demilec Authorized Contractor NOVA Spray Foam Insulation, Home Energy Detectives and the American Chemistry Council’s Spray Foam Coalition.  The project consisted of a spray foam retrofit of the Kitfield family’s existing home, along with an energy audit to show how home leakage changed as a result of adding spray foam to the attic and the band joist in the basement.   Home Energy Detectives performed a blower door test, with the results of the test showing a 60% decrease in air infiltration after the spray foam retrofit.

Demilec USA donated their new Demilec APX spray foam insulation product to the project.  Demilec APX is a revolutionary new spray foam insulation that can be sprayed in attics and crawlspaces without the need of an ignition barrier.  In addition to its increased fire safety, Demilec APX also provides all of the benefits of open cell spray foam insulation including excellent air sealing properties, improved sound attenuation and resistance to mold and moisture infiltration.  Grant Ostvig, Southeast Regional Manager for Demilec USA, was on the scene for the project and had this to say: “We were really excited, after years of developing and testing the product, to see Demilec APX used in a high profile project such as this.  Mr. Kitfield is a former crew chief of Marine One, the president’s helicopter.  Just as he devoted part of his life to serving our country, we hope that Demilec’s products can serve his family through increased energy efficiency and improved fire safety.”

The installation and labor was provided by NOVA Spray Foam Insulation, a Demilec Authorized Contractor located in Loudoun County, Virginia.  NOVA Spray Foam has been in business since 2006, and takes pride in the fact that they deal exclusively with spray foam insulation products.  Ken Thacker, owner of NOVA Spray Foam, stated “We were very excited to work on the project.  The Kitfield family is a wonderful young couple and we were really happy to be able to be able to help them lower the energy bills for their home.  The DC area has a lot of small, older homes that many people are currently looking to add on to.   We have done a lot of spray foam retrofit work on these additions, as well as work on the existing attics.  Often with the addition, the homeowner doubles the size of their home, can keep their existing heating and cooling system, and cut their energy bill in half by using spray foam insulation.  We are looking forward to following up with the Kitfield family in late spring and fall, to see what kind of energy savings they realized.”

The project was sponsored and coordinated by the American Chemistry Council’s Spray Foam Coalition.  The Spray Foam Coalition is an industry organization that works to educate homeowners, contractors, builders, architects and government officials on the benefits of spray polyurethane foam.  Allyson Wilson, a representative from the American Chemistry Council, appears in the segment to explain how spray foam insulation can not only lower energy bills and increase comfort, but also contribute to a healthier indoor air environment than traditional insulation methods.

The full segment can be seen by clicking here.  For more information about Demilec USA or Demilec APX, visit us online at www.DemilecUSA.com or www.DemilecAPX.com or give us a call at (877)336-4532.  If you are in the DC area and would like a quote from NOVA Spray Foam Insulation, contact them through their website at www.NovaSprayFoam.com or by calling (703)404-2224.  For general information about the benefits of spray foam insulation, visit www.WhySprayFoam.org.

Morse 4040 with John Deer 40kW Generator and 40cfm Rotary Screw Compressor combined on a single skid.

List: $21,000                        Sale: $18,500*

*Pricing good for the month of April 2013 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Often times while applying spray foam, hardened material gets stuck in the mixing chamber that the purge-air just won’t blow out; in most cases this happens while applying closed cell foams. When hardened material is noticed or the pattern from the chamber is unsatisfactory a drill bit that is sized for the desired chamber is necessary to carefully remove the hardened material.

Once in a while, and with the necessary cumbersome PPE that is required for the applicator, a drill bit will break off while drilling the hardened material from the chamber.  If this happens follow these simple steps, it may save from having to purchase a new chamber.

• If there is hardened material still in the chamber at the time the drill bit broke than it will need to be soaked in solvent for several hours.
• Break two small wires from a wire wheel or brush; make sure that the wires are approx. 1.5”-2.0” in length.
• Insert each wire into two of the flutes of broken drill bit. Wiggle the wire as far to the bottom as possible.

• Using a pair of pliers, turn the chamber clockwise. This will tighten the wires into the flutes of the broken drill bit. Take care not to over-tighten as this could break the wires off in the drill bit.
• Once the wires feel secure gently pull the wire with the pliers and the broken drill bit should slide out.

NOTE: Although this tip has been successful in many cases, it is only to help save a chamber that is otherwise thought to be damaged and is in no way a  100% fix in every case.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology there are more than 2.5 million eye injuries each year throughout the United States, of which 50,000 people permanently lose part or all of their vision. Eye injuries are a significant problem in the workplace and can be prevented by taking appropriate measures. According to the AAO 90% of all eye accidents can be prevented by wearing ANSI approved eye protection.

• When working in or around spray foam equipment, safety glasses and or shields should be worn at all times. Pneumatic auxiliary equipment is common in all spray rigs and can send sharp bursts of air at any time, which may send dust and debris airborne.
• When cleaning application spray guns or conducting general equipment maintenance, solvents, oils and debris can accidentally splash into the eyes and cause permanent damage.
• While applicator assistants are shaving or grinding excessive foam from walls and ceiling eye protection must be used. It is important to use sealed eye protection and inhalation protection when around foam dust and debris.

Construction is among the leading industries for eye injury and makes up for 61.2 percent of all accidents. Stay protected by simply wearing ANSI approved eye protection at all times when entering areas which present hazards.

Fall protection

According to the U.S. Department of Labor falls at work are the leading cause of death in the workplace. OSHA requires fall protection for anyone that works 4 ft. above the ground in industrial environment and 6 ft. in the construction field.

Inspect the area

Before beginning work, inspect the job site for unprotected areas such as openings in the floor, staircases and unprotected areas.

Using full body harness

A full harness with lanyard is required when working 4 ft. or more above the ground according to the type of job site. Before use, inspect for any frayed edges, pulled stitches, cuts and/or other damages before using.

Graco Fusion AP mixing chambers canbe damaged or broken during foam processing.

The sprayer should focus on two areas or the gun if the mixing chamber breaks.

1.  Make sure the air cap is installed correctly.  The front of the mixing chamber should be flush with the face of the air cap.  If the mixing chamber is pertruding past the air cap face, you will need to replace the air cap.  This can cause the air cap to hit the front of the black fluid housing and cause damage to the gun.

2.  Make sure the Black Fluid housing is attached correctly to the silver gun handle.  If the black fluid houseing is not attached tight to the handle this can cause mixing chambers to break and also cause damage and wear to the gun.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

*Pricing good for the month of April 2013 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Demilec APX™, the new open-cell foam insulation from Demilec (USA), recently received an evaluation report (ESR#3470) from ICC Evaluation Service, providing evidence of compliance with AC-377 Appendix X and the building code.  Building officials, architects, contractors, specifiers, and designers make use of the ICC-ES Evaluation Reports to provide a basis for using and approving Demilec APX in construction projects across the United States.

Demilec APX is a new spray foam insulation product from Demilec (USA), approved for use in attics and crawl spaces without the need of an ignition barrier or coating.  Building code in the United States requires all foam insulation products to be protected from the interior of a home or building by a 15 minute thermal barrier, with the exception of attics and crawlspaces, where an ignition barrier is an acceptable substitute.  Previously, foam insulation manufacturers relied on ignition barrier substitute coatings, which are applied directly to the surface of the foam, to meet code.  Now, with Demilec APX, contractors are able to apply spray foam insulation in attics and crawlspaces without applying an ignition barrier, saving both labor time and the cost of the coatings

 
Robert Naini, Chief Operations Officer of Demilec (USA) stated “ESR 3470 will assist building code departments across the U.S. in accepting Demilec APX open cell spray foam uncovered in attic applications, without reviewing a myriad of tests. Also, this code compliance report gives builders, designers, homeowners and SPF contractors peace of mind in selecting a code-compliant spray foam insulation, with superior fire properties, that has been reviewed and evaluated by a third-party.”

ICC-ES is the United States’ leading source of technical information on building products and building technology for code compliance. A nonprofit, public-benefit corporation, ICC-ES performs technical evaluations of building products, components, methods and materials. The evaluation process culminates with the issuance of reports on compliance with the major U.S. building codes, which are available at www.icc-es.org.

ICC-ES is a subsidiary of the International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention that develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

More information about Demilec APX spray foam insulation and a copy of the ESR#3470 can be found at www.DemilecUSA.com and www.DemilecAPX.com or by calling 877-336-4598.

*Pricing good for the month of March 2013 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Properly designed ventilation can reduce airborne levels of aerosols, mists, and vapors generated during spray application and can help protect SPF applicators, helpers, and others who may be working in adjacent areas.

During and after spray application, vapors and mists, as well as particulates and dust from trimming or sanding the foam, may linger until the area is ventilated and fully cleaned.

Construction activities should be carefully scheduled so that no other trades or occupants are in the building  during SPF Installation.

For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/ventilation-guidance.html.

What a tremendous time in Las Vegas. The International Builders’ Show was far more upbeat than last year’s show. The largest residential construction industry trade show, The International Builders Show, wrapped up on January 24th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The National Association of Home Builders, which owns and operates the show, expected over 50,000 people to be in attendance.

DEMILEC (USA) went all out with a 50×50 booth space at the show. Traffic to the booth doubled from 2012′s attendance and there was a high interest in our spray foam insulation products.

Overall, the 2013 International Builders Show was a huge success for DEMILEC (USA) and we are looking forward to the 2014 International Builders Show scheduled for February 4-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Part Number: FOAMZALL Part Name: FOAMZALL (Milwaukee 13 Amp) Electric Foam Trimming Saw

Description: The FOAMZALL includes the toughest Milwaukee® brand heavy-duty orbital Sawzall® around, which has a custom coupling to secure a 36″ long serrated blade intended for trimming 1/2 lb foam. The 13 Amp, 120 Vac saw has a 1 1/4″ stroke and can provide up to 3,000 strokes per minute. Features include (5) selectable speed control settings, a rotating handle that can be locked into (8) different positions every 45° of rotation for optimal operator comfort and an orbital or straight reciprocating cut option.

**Blades Not Included. ***Hurry offer ends February 28, 2013.

List Price $526
Sale Price: 15% off – $447.10

Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

One of the largest investments on your equipment is your heated hose. Dragging it in and out of your truck and across the ground to the job site can damage it in many ways.

Nails, sharp rocks and metal banding laying around on the site can cut through the scuff jacket and eventually cut into the butyl lining causing either a leak in your hose or the more common problem of cutting or breaking your TSU (Temperature Sensing Unit) wire causing you to have hose heat issues.

Be very careful when carrying in your hose or dragging it around in the house. Keep it out of water and up off of the cold ground when possible. One easy way of protecting your hose is to visit your local fire department. Explain what it is that you do and ask them if they have any old fire hose around that you can have. They are required to change out their hose periodically and they are usually open to giving it away.

Remove the rubber lining for weight saving and slid it over your spray hose. This scuff jacket is extremely strong and will protect your hose from almost all elements.  Both 3” and 1 ½” hoses are available, which can be used on your whip hose.

DEMILEC (USA) has partnered with Blue Sphere Energy Solutions, LLC to insulate the new classroom addition to the Hope Elephant Facility located in Hope, Maine. Hope Elephants is a unique facility which cares for retired elephants and provides education programming about elephants and conservation. DEMILEC (USA) will donate it’s HEATLOK SOY® 200 spray foam insulation, while Blue Sphere Energy Solutions, LLC, located in Searsmont, Maine will donate the labor to make the new 500 sq. ft. classroom a reality.

“When I was first contacted by Hope Elephants about this project, they hadn’t even finished telling me how big the classroom was or even the location before I had volunteered to donate our services,” Tina Fort, Co-Owner of Blue Sphere Energy Solutions, LLC.

“Hope Elephants will enjoy the benefits of DEMILEC (USA)’s HEATLOK SOY 200  spray foam insulation including lower utility bills because our insulation is extremely energy-efficient, said Dave Lall, Vice President & General Manger, DEMILEC (USA) LLC.

Rosie and Opal, a pair of aging and injured retired circus elephants, receive state-of-the-art physical therapy and nutritional support in a purpose-built habitat dedicated to their needs. School children and others of all ages experience elephants in a way unavailable anywhere else in the country. The goal of Hope Elephants; educational program is to inspire visitors to act upon their experience and find their own path to participate in wildlife conservation.  The new classroom will help to achieve this goal.  Also helping Hope Elephants with the new classroom construction and working with Blue Sphere Energy Solutions, LLC with this project is John Davee (president) of Maine Coast Construction.

About Blue Sphere Energy Solutions
Blue Sphere Energy Solutions, LLC a BPI certified insulation services company dba. RH Price purchased R.H. Price & Co. Inc., which has been in business for 30+ years, in 2011 by owners Dennis Nutile and Tina Fort.   The insulation services provided are a well rounded spectrum of DEMELEC (USA) LLC. ^® Spray foam products and various insulation fiber products.   Dennis and Tina moved from Connecticut and now live in Maine after the purchase of their new business acquisition.  There hopes are to continue to develop the business’s quality, energy services and products for the local Maine community.  The original founder Mr. Robert Price provides consultation services for Blue Sphere Energy Solutions, LLC.  To contact Blue Sphere for insulation services call 207-342-3140 or go to their website at www.rhpricecompany.com.

About Hope Elephants
Hope Elephants is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit solely reliant on donors for its funding. The organization is planning two summer fund-raising events; for more information, go to www.hopeelephants.org.

About DEMILEC (USA) LLC^®
DEMILEC (USA) LLC.^® is a manufacturer of an energy efficient line of spray foam insulation products that include brands such as SEALECTION^® 500, SEALECTION Agribalance^® and HEATLOK SOY^®. Anyone seeking more information about DEMILEC (USA) LLC^® or its products can visit www.DemilecUSA.com or call 1-877-DEMILEC (336-4532).

This class will give you an overview of the tools and knowledge you’ll need to become the go-to Home Performance Contractor in your marketplace.

Customized Curriculum:

• BPI Technical Standards & Field Guide
• Carbon Monoxide
• Combustion Appliances
• Health & Safety
• Building Performance
• Pressure and Thermal Boundary/Envelope
• Insulation
• Supply/Return Distribution
• Duct Leakage
• Moisture & Air Balancing

After the hands on and field portion of the course, you will have the opportunity to take the BPI certification exams, both written and field.

When: March 25-30, 2013

Location: DEMILEC (USA), 3315 E. Division St., Arlington, TX 76011

Lodging: Crowne Plaza Suites Hotel 700 Avenue H East, Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 394-5000 www.cparlington.com Mention DEMILEC for Discount Rate $92/King & $99/Double per Night (breakfast included).

Pricing: $1,295 per person. (Note: Credit Card Users will be charged a 3% Fee.) Includes Training, Proctored BPI Field Exam and Hands-on BPI Field Exam.

Hurry, space is limited to 12 Authorized Contractors! Call (817) 640-4900 to Register Today!

Everywhere we turn or look today we are faced with seeing some kind of sign. Some signs advertise a sale, some signs point you in the right direction, and some signs are warning us of danger so that we do not harm ourselves or worse.

Today we take signs for granted. Pulling into an intersection, we automatically look for a stop sign or traffic light to direct us through safely so we don’t get in an accident. Imagine if there were no STOP SIGNS…

As owners and sprayers of a chemical that can be a health issue to not only yourselves but to those who come in contact with either the raw material or the space where it is being applied. We have an obligation to make sure our work area is well posted with signs, warning others of the danger ahead. Having the proper PPE and signage, our work area will become a safe place for all.

A Respirator required sign should be in plain view and at a location 25ft from where the spraying is being done. The sign should be at any location of entry to the work area. Look around your work area and determine the locations for these signs.

You as the sprayer want to make your work area a safe one for all.

Safety glasses should be worn by anyone who is in the work area. As you know, the process of spraying foam creates a certain amount of particles floating in the air that will get on anything and everything including your eyes. If it is bad enough, you will experience what is known as BLUE HAZE.

This is due to overspray attaching and coating your eyes. It gives you a vision like looking at something surrounded in smoke. It isn’t permanent and will usually go away in a day or two.

Caution Tape is available in several sizes and color. Black and yellow seem to be the most prominent one used. Close in your entire work area to keep others out. Everyone loves to watch the foam guy spray this magical liquid on the wall and watch it swell up to fill the cavity. Surround your staging or lift so you can concentrate on spraying and not have to watch them. If you think it’s necessary, you can also in-circle your truck or trailer. These are just a sampling of the signs that are available. The more you can keep others out of your work area the safer it will become.

REMEMBER YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SITE SAFETY!

January 22-24, 2013
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV

The International Builder’s Show is America’s largest annual residential housing construction trade event for manufacturers and suppliers of home construction products and services and is hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). 

Don’t forget to visit DEMILEC (USA) at Booth # C5430, where we will be debuting our new display booth. Hope to see you at the show!

Ladders are an important and versatile piece of equipment commonly seen around most jobsites. Ladders come in many different varieties such as straight ladders, extension ladders, fixed ladders, frame ladders, job-built ladders, and step ladders. Although a ladder seems simple enough to use, unsafe ladder practices can lead to serious injuries. Falls are the primary hazard involving ladder use.

A fall from a ladder can result from a number of reasons:

1. Unprotected ladders set up in open doorways or high traffic zones can be bumped into or knocked over, causing a fall.
2. Employees can slip or lose their balance while climbing or by over-reaching while working at the top of a ladder.
3. If a ladder is not set up properly it can shift, causing the person on the ladder to fall.
4. Weather conditions can affect safety on ladders used outside.

Virtually all ladder injuries can be avoided if employees are properly trained in the safe use of ladders, and follow these 4 simply rules.

Rule 1: Pick the right ladder:

The ladder should be of the correct type and length.  An ordinary straight ladder will be used for most purposes. An extension ladder may be required for high work.  A step ladder is used when you need a free-standing ladder or one with a tool tray. Some situations may not require a ladder at all. Instead, you may need a scaffold. Never use a metal ladder around any electrical installation.

Rule 2: Check the Condition of the Ladder

Never use a damaged ladder. Make sure all parts of the ladder are in good working order free from corrosion, rust, rot, cracks and other defects. Check the rungs, side rails, braces, hinges, ropes and pulleys. See that the rungs are free of slippery substances such as oil. Make sure that the non-slip rubber feet are in good condition. Check overall for any signs of warping or twisting.

If upon inspection, faulty or defective components are discovered, the ladder must be immediately tagged and removed from service. The ladder may not be returned to service until repairs equal to original manufacturer’s specifications are made.

Gravity never forgets. As soon as you set foot on the ladder’s first rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity works to bring you back to earth. Therefore, it is no surprise that ladder safety begins from the ground up.

Rule 3: Set up the ladder

With a straight ladder, walk it into position hand over hand. Make sure the base is solid. Tie the top if you can. A straight ladder should be placed against the wall at an angle so that the base of the ladder is one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height. You can remember this formula as the “four up, one out” rule. So a 16 foot extension ladder should be 4 feet out from the wall at the base.

A stepladder should be locked into a fully-open position before you attempt to use it.

Raising an extension ladder is a two-person job. There should be a considerable overlap between each section.

Rule 4: Work Safely on a Ladder

When climbing or working on a ladder, maintain three-point contact. This means that two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet should be in contact with the ladder at all times.

Keep centered on the ladder. Here’s a way to remember to do so – your belt buckle should remain between the two side rails at all times. Never lean away from the ladder because you can cause it to topple.

• Do not carry tools or materials in your hands. Keep tools in a belt, or hoist objects up after you.
• Do not stand on the top few rungs of any ladder.
• Footwear should have clean soles made of a non-skid material. Leather is too slippery.
• Never move a ladder while you are on it.
• Move slowly and carefully on a ladder.
• Do not work on a ladder if you are ill, overly tired, or possibly under the influence of alcohol or other medications which will affect your ability to work safely on the ladder.

When you descend a ladder, practice the same safety rules. Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.

Think before you carry.  Before you start to haul a ladder around, evaluate the area where you will be working. Ladders can be heavy and unwieldy. You can strike another person or object, or hit electrical power lines. Make the ladder as compact as possible before transporting it. Carry it horizontally while tilting it higher in front and lower in back. If the ladder is particularly long and heavy, get a coworker to help you carry it.

COLD WEATHER TECH TIPS

With the cold weather upon us, I feel the need to remind everyone about some of the following things that will help insure good foam is being applied and equipment problems are minimized.

STORAGE

• Try to store drums/rig in an environment of 60- 80 degrees F.
• Keep drums off of concrete floors and do not store in any room where the temperature can go below 60 degrees F.
• If you have a heated rig, try to stock the material the night before so that it will be warm at the start of your next day.
• Store grease & clear-shot in a warm area as these items will tend to be very thick and could cause some gun issues

SPRAY RIG

• Whatever the temperature is in the rig, will become that temperature of Hoses, grease, clear shot, hydraulic oil and everything in the rig. Longer start-up times will result if the rig is cold.  Air, hose and recirculation lines can freeze if the trailer is not kept warm.
• Try to keep drums off the floor as they will absorb the cold. Put on a pallet, build a 2×4 frame and fill with foam plywood deck to insulate the drums. Some applicators prefer to foam the underside of the truck/trailer body to keep the floor warm.
• Invest in some nice space heaters, drum blankets…etc.  Drum Band heaters are not recommended.
• Keep your truck/trailer as close to the jobsite entrance as possible.  A roll of fiberglass batt material can be used to put under any hose that will be laying on cold pavement or snow. (this will help keep it warm)
• If possible, get your truck / generator serviced before the cold months. If your generator doesn’t have a heat plug, get one.
• Using a re-circulation system is of prime importance in the winter months to bring open cell resin drum temperatures up to improve foam performance and yield.
• You will generally have more stuff plugged in so check all outlets and extension cords. Service or replace if necessary.
• A drum mixer is also required to keep material mixed, aerated and help provide a uniform drum temperature.

Contact your DemilecUSA Technical Service Representative with any questions or issues.

Diagnostic and troubleshooting:

While working with Spray foam proportioners or auxiliary equipment it is necessary to perform routine maintenance in order to keep the equipment operational. Before performing any maintenance to any electrical components or the fluid side, special precaution should be taken to avoid serious injury or death.

Electrical Maintenance:

Before removing any shrouding or the electrical cabinet door make sure to disconnect the proportioner form any power source and lock out the main power switch. Also pay close attention to the capacitor as it may hold a charge for sometime after the proportioner has been turned off. To discharge the capacitor, hold an insulated handle screw driver across the contacts on the end of the capacitor; continue holding for approx two seconds to complete discharging.

NOTE: A small spark may issue from the contact points and screwdriver.
NOTE: Pay close attention to wire numbers and label as necessary, when removed.

Fluid Section Maintenance:

Before removing any fluid sections, fittings, hoses, etc. be sure and relieve the proportioning equipment of any fluid pressure.

• Park proportioner and close ball valves.
• Turn main power off.
• Remove air from transfer pumps.
• Turn pressure relief valves to relieve any remaining pressure. Make sure the analog gauges drop to 0.

NOTE: Equipment surfaces and fluid within the proportioner may become very hot during operation. Wait until equipment and fluid has completely cooled before maintenance or repair.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

Daily Maintenance:

The proportioning equipment that is used to process foam and high performance coat requires constant attention and routine maintenance in order to perform the way it was intended. One of the many components that require daily attention is the electrical cabinet.

The exhaust fan, located under the left side of the electrical motor (E-series machines) is designed to pull air from the bottom of the electrical cabinet through vent holes located under the motor control and temperature control boards. Air that is pulled from the floor of the cabinet across the circuitry of the control boards is not filtered and can have debris that may damage the control boards and electric motor.

Use very dry, compressed air or disposal compressed air can to prevent dust from building up on the control boards, breakers, exhaust fan/shroud, electrical motor.

NOTE: Make sure to disconnect electrical from proportioner before opening electrical cabinet door.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

*Pricing good for the month of December 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

We are testing Demilec APX™ across the country to ensure that it performs to the highest standards in every climate.  The video below shows a sneak peak from 3 of those locations.  Don’t miss out on your first opportunity to see Demilec APX™ actually being applied!

Track the development progress at www.demilecapx.com. Demilec APX™ is on schedule to be released on February 12, 2013.

For the past three years Demilec USA, LLC has been working with industry associates through the Spray Polyurethane Alliance (SPFA) and the Spray Foam Coalition (SFC), of the American Chemistry Council’s  (ACC) Center for Polyurethane Industries (CPI).  Together we have developed an online training course covering the basic knowledge required for every spray foam helper, warehouse worker and applicator in America who works with SPF.  This Spray Polyurethane Foam Chemical Health and Safety Training provides information about the use, handling and disposal of SPF, potential health hazards and appropriate control measures, including engineered controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). The training provides guidance to applicators and helpers who apply professional grade, high-pressure SPF in either interior or exterior applications.

Since safety is the highest priority to DEMILEC (USA), we request all spray foam applicators spraying DEMILEC Spray Foam Products complete the online CPI Health & Safety course.   The knowledge conveyed through this basic course is fundamental to working safely with our products and as the current industry certification standard, we must verify that every contractor has passed the CPI online certification course.  This is a very convenient format where the new student registers with an email address then takes the 10-minute modules at his or her convenience until all are complete before taking a simple test.  If the entire course is taken in one sitting it requires only about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Please use the link below to access the course.
http://spraypolyurethane.org/spf-chemical-health-and-safety-training

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate number. Please contact DEMILEC with this number so it can be added to your account information.  Be sure to print your wallet card and wall certificate and display them proudly.

SPFA, our SPF contractors’ trade association, will soon have a more advanced third-party administered certification class for helpers, installers, master installers and project managers, and this CPI chemical health and safety training will be a prerequisite to registration.  We’ll pass on information about the roll out of this ANSI/ISO accredited training and certification program as it becomes available, and we encourage all Demilec contractors and applicators to attain the highest level of certification possible.  We have worked hard along with dozens of industry professionals over the years to develop this training and worker certification process and we believe those who are most serious about working safely and profitably will soon earn these prestigious certifications.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Demilec Territory Manager.   All of our field staff have taken or are in the process of taking CPI certification course and they can offer guidance in the simple process of registering and taking the online course.

Are you having problems with your foam pulling back or shrinking?

Getting ready to spray foam on a surface that has moisture on it sometimes can make the foam shrink back from the studs and or peel off of the surface that you are trying to spray against. It is very important to check the moisture on the surface that you are applying the foam to, for insentience wood , metal , concrete .  To make sure that the surface is not to moist so that the foam doesn’t pull away. The surface should be 19% or less . You want to make sure that you buy a moisture reader that can read all of these surfaces.

To go along with this in the winter months you also want to make sure that the substrate is warm enough for the foam to bond to the surface. Also always make sure the pressure on the gauges on the machine are always equal to each other to insure the foam is properly applied , because if they are off this could make the foam shrink when it hits it first cold weather and you will hear the foam cracking. So always have somebody making sure that the gauges are running equal and there is no blockage on one side or the other.

*Pricing good for the month of November 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

What is Demilec APX?  Demilec APX is freedom from coatings, offered from a manufacturer you trust.  Demilec APX is the product of over two years of research and development from the company that brought you SEALECTION 500, HEATLOK Soy 200 and SEALECTION Agribalance.  Not only can Demilec APX be sprayed in attics and crawlspaces without an ignition barrier, it comes with the great yields, sprayability and superior service that has become synonymous with the Demilec name.  Track the development progress at www.demilecapx.com. The product is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2013.

Ladders are an important and versatile piece of equipment commonly seen around most jobsites. Ladders come in many different varieties such as straight ladders, extension ladders, fixed ladders, frame ladders, job-built ladders, and step ladders. Although a ladder seems simple enough to use, unsafe ladder practices can lead to serious injuries. Falls are the primary hazard involving ladder use.
A fall from a ladder can result from a number of reasons:

1. Unprotected ladders set up in open doorways or high traffic zones can be bumped into or knocked over, causing a fall.
2. Employees can slip or lose their balance while climbing or by over-reaching while working at the top of a ladder.
3. If a ladder is not set up properly it can shift, causing the person on the ladder to fall.
4. Weather conditions can affect safety on ladders used outside.

Virtually all ladder injuries can be avoided if employees are properly trained in the safe use of ladders, and follow these 4 simply rules.

Rule 1: Pick the right ladder:

The ladder should be of the correct type and length.  An ordinary straight ladder will be used for most purposes. An extension ladder may be required for high work.  A step ladder is used when you need a free-standing ladder or one with a tool tray. Some situations may not require a ladder at all. Instead, you may need a scaffold. Never use a metal ladder around any electrical installation.

Rule 2: Check the Condition of the Ladder

Never use a damaged ladder. Make sure all parts of the ladder are in good working order free from corrosion, rust, rot, cracks and other defects. Check the rungs, side rails, braces, hinges, ropes and pulleys. See that the rungs are free of slippery substances such as oil. Make sure that the non-slip rubber feet are in good condition. Check overall for any signs of warping or twisting.

If upon inspection, faulty or defective components are discovered, the ladder must be immediately tagged and removed from service. The ladder may not be returned to service until repairs equal to original manufacturer’s specifications are made.

Gravity never forgets. As soon as you set foot on the ladder’s first rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity works to bring you back to earth. Therefore, it is no surprise that ladder safety begins from the ground up.

Rule 3: Set up the ladder

With a straight ladder, walk it into position hand over hand. Make sure the base is solid. Tie the top if you can. A straight ladder should be placed against the wall at an angle so that the base of the ladder is one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height. You can remember this formula as the “four up, one out” rule. So a 16 foot extension ladder should be 4 feet out from the wall at the base.

A stepladder should be locked into a fully-open position before you attempt to use it.

Raising an extension ladder is a two-person job. There should be a considerable overlap between each section.

 Rule 4: Work Safely on a Ladder

When climbing or working on a ladder, maintain three-point contact. This means that two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet should be in contact with the ladder at all times.

Keep centered on the ladder. Here’s a way to remember to do so – your belt buckle should remain between the two side rails at all times. Never lean away from the ladder because you can cause it to topple.

• Do not carry tools or materials in your hands. Keep tools in a belt, or hoist objects up after you.
• Do not stand on the top few rungs of any ladder.
• Footwear should have clean soles made of a non-skid material. Leather is too slippery.
• Never move a ladder while you are on it.
• Move slowly and carefully on a ladder.
• Do not work on a ladder if you are ill, overly tired, or possibly under the influence of alcohol or other medications which will affect your ability to work safely on the ladder.

When you descend a ladder, practice the same safety rules. Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.

Think before you carry.  Before you start to haul a ladder around, evaluate the area where you will be working. Ladders can be heavy and unwieldy. You can strike another person or object, or hit electrical power lines. Make the ladder as compact as possible before transporting it. Carry it horizontally while tilting it higher in front and lower in back. If the ladder is particularly long and heavy, get a coworker to help you carry it.

*Pricing good for the month of October 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Determining yields on coatings is not unlike determining yields on spray foam, The following hold true for both:

(1) Smoothness of surface

(2) Material temperature

(3) Thickness applied

(4) Equipment & tip size used

(5) Sprayer experience

For all of our recommended coatings, there is a Data sheet with specs listed for that product.

If the specs are not followed, yields will change.

Sprayer experience is also very important. Measuring thickness’s correctly with a Millage Scale is part of this experience. Knowing and understanding spraying with different tip sizes and pressures for a specified coating, recognizing changes in irregular surface profiles and covering only what has been specified. Coating wood members while spraying over foam reduces yield.  If it’s not specified to be coated, then it shouldn’t be coated.

NOTE: Follow instructions….have proper equipment…the more you spray the better you get.

This month, Demilec USA is proud to Theresa Thompson from Standard Waterproofing as our contractor of the month.  Standard Waterproofing is a member of the ABAA (Air Barrier Association of America) and has been in business for over 20 years.  They have completed numerous large commercial projects throughout Maine with spray foam insulation.

Demilec:  How long have you been in business and how long have you been in the Spray Foam industry?

Theresa: We’ve been in business for over 20 years and we have been doing spray foam for roughly 5 years.

Demilec: And why did you decide to start installing Spray Foam insulation

Theresa: Well, we are a part of ABAA (The Air Barrier Association of America) and we noticed that they have a spray foam section and decided that we wanted to be a part of it.  At the time, there were no contractors in the state of Maine that were ABAA certified for spray foam. We felt that spray foam was an up and coming product and that we would be seeing a lot more on job sites, which we have been for commercial new construction.  We thought it was a really great, unique air barrier product too.

Demilec: I know that you do primarily commercial and multifamily residential work.  Do you do more retrofit or new construction work?

Theresa: I would say that we do mostly new construction

Demilec: What are some of the unique challenges that you face when doing a commercial project with spray foam?

Theresa: Well you always have the safety considerations.  You are working on a construction site that is not under your control.  You have a superintendent and a general contractor that you answer to, and you have numerous other contractors that you have no control over. All of the other trades want to be in your workspace and you have to deal with that.  Having to negotiate the various hazards that go along with our installation and making people aware of it and working around them is definitely one of the big issues of being on a commercial construction site is

Demilec: How do you educate the other trades on a jobsite to the specific safety requirements that exist when you are spraying foam?

Theresa:  We have a pre-installation meeting with the general contractor where we educate the architect, the general contractor and possibly some other trades.  Then, it is their job to get the word out.  Also, when we are in the installation process we put various signs up such as: ‘breathing apparatus required beyond this point’, caution tape, ‘overspray hazard’ and so on.

Demilec:  Do you do any commercial retrofit work?

Theresa: Yes we do.  In Maine, we have a lot of Maine State Housing, old brick mill buildings that have been renovated into low income housing, and we have spray foamed a lot of those.

Demilec:  What kind of challenges do you face when doing a retrofit versus new construction? 

Theresa:  I think with retrofit, sometimes what is on the drawings isn’t exactly what is in place. If they’re really old buildings, you don’t know the condition of the brick behind the sheet rock and it might be more deteriorated than expected and you face delays because they have to repair that substrate.  You run into issues like that.

Demilec: Can you tell me about a project that you are especially proud of?  I know that you have done quite a few major projects.  Can you pick one and tell me a little about it?

Theresa:  There are so many projects that it’s difficult to chose!  We just did some new Port of Entry buildings in Northern Maine, Bridgewater and Forest City.  Both of those used Demilec Foam in the wall cavity as a LEED requirement.  Tom was the project manager on those jobs so maybe he can give a little insight into how it went.

Tom:  Well the Bridgewater project went very well.  The Port of Entry buildings are on the border and they’re high profile jobs.  We had a little trouble with Forest City, but it wasn’t too bad.  We had to take numerous moisture samples for the Government but it all went OK and turned out well at the end.

Theresa:  What was significant about Forest City were the different testing requirements that the onsite inspector for the government required from us.  Like Tom said, he wanted in-depth moisture samples from the wall, he wanted depth gauges, he wanted pull tests, which not being an ABAA job, we didn’t think you would have to do. Luckily we have the equipment and were able to do it and it went well.

Demilec:  Are those federal government requirements or State of Maine requirements?

Theresa:  I think that they were just job requirements.  The architect asked for us to do these tests while the job was in progress.  It wasn’t specified or part of any state or federal requirement.  It was the architect saying, “hey would you guys be willing to do x y and z for us.”  And we are the type of contractor that if someone says ‘can you do testing?’, because we have the equipment, we are always willing to do it.  We’re not trying to hide anything or give the customer anything but the best.  When they want us to do testing, we are happy to do it.

Demilec: How has your spray foam business grown since it started?

Theresa:  Five years ago we started with one truck.  We have two trucks now and are looking to purchase a new rig.  Our spray foam business has grown huge.  We started out a little timid in the field, doing small projects like a garage or a small wall job.  Overall spray foam has grown in its popularity and we have grown with it.  Being that our company has been in business for 20 years, our name and reputation is out there with all of the general contractors in Maine.  When they heard that we were doing spray foam, they said ‘AWESOME.  I have spray foam on this job and I know you guys so why don’t you go ahead and take care of the foam on this job.’  So we’ve been lucky that we were able to build on what our company already does by adding spray foam and having that reputation so that contractors easily signed us up to do their spray foam work.  Over the years we have gone from small projects to extremely large projects.  We regularly complete 50 kit (plus) jobs, with our large jobs requiring a lot of oversight, a lot of management and great staffing.  The guy on the gun has to be doing a good job.

Demilec: Why do you choose to install Demilec spray foam products?

Theresa:  For any building material, there are multiple manufacturers that you can choose from.  To us, what sets a product apart is its customer support.  When we call the manufacturer and we need an answer or we need support on a jobsite, we expect that we are going to get that support and we are going to get it in a timely fashion.  That’s what we find with Demilec and that’s what we like about Demilec.  The product sprays great and we like it, but what we love is the customer support.  Also, the accessibility of the product.  You guys just opened a warehouse in Auburn, ME.  That makes it the closest spray foam distributor to us.  But overall, it’s the customer support.  When we call Brian Cote (NE Territory Manager) he answers and when we need him on a jobsite, he’s there the next day.  It’s phenomenal.

Demilec: We really pride ourselves on our service so that is excellent to hear!  I’m sure Brian will be happy to hear that as well.  Thank you so much for your time and we hope for your continued success and growth!

Demilec USA takes environmental responsibility seriously.  That is why we are happy to announce that during the 2011 year, we recycled the plastic equivalent of 28.2 million plastic bottles to be used in our Heatlok Soy 200 product.  Heatlok Soy 200 also contains soybean oil and is GREENGUARD certified for children and schools, adding to the conservational qualities that make up Demilec USA’s product line.  Dave Feitl, National Sales Manager for Demilec USA stated that “As one of the leaders in the SPF industry, Demilec seized the opportunity to be environmentally responsible by taking materials out our nation’s landfills and using them to create the highest R-value, highest yield spray foam insulation in the industry.”  Demilec USA looks forward to continuing to utilize science and technology to create products that can help enhance comfort and energy efficiency responsibly.

Hood P/N: 10B-Hood-HP List Price: $96.24 Sale Price: $86.62	Replacement 20TICN Hood P/N: 10B-20TICN List Price: $31.54 Sale Price: $28.39	Bullard Cool Tube P/N: 10B-AC1000 List Price: $176.46 Sale Price: $158.81

The summer heat is in full effect and no relief is in sight. The past 12 months have been the warmest in US recorded history and it keeps getting hotter.  Heat exhaustion is a very real and can be prevented by taking some simple steps.  Make sure you drink plenty of water and take regular breaks from spraying.  Having two sprayers who alternate on a jobsite can help boost productivity and avoid trips to the hospital.

Did you know that a Bullard Cool Tube can help save the day? A Bullard Cool Tube can cool incoming air from breathing systems up to 30 degrees!   Furthermore, you can tuck your hood’s bib into your chemical resistant suit which will cool your body as well.  If you utilize a high pressure breathing system with a hood and have 5 cfm available then you are a candidate.  A more comfortable applicator is a more effective applicator and with the current discount, you can’t go wrong!

*Pricing good for the month of August 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Keeping up with respirator maintenance is not only highly recommended by Demilec USA, but it is also an OSHA requirement.

The safety of your helpers is just as important as your sprayer that is wearing fresh air. All helpers that are not wearing fresh air, but are within 25’ of the application area, are required to wear a cartridge respirator with a 2 stage cartridge that are to be maintained as per OSHA Code 1910.134.

You must also keep an updated written Respiratory Maintenance Program, keeping records both on the rig and in the home office.

For further OSHA requirements please visit OSHA’s website.

When processing Demilec open cell foam it is important to circulate the A and B components prior to application. Circulation aids in increased yield and productivity, better physical properties of the insulation system, and maximizes the delta T of the proportioner that is being used to process the foam insulation.

Materials Needed:
Circulation Block/Manifold  - P/N 246362
Complete Circulation Kit – P/N recirculation-kit
Drum Mixer – P/N: electric mixer
Thermometer – P/N

It is important to circulate both the A and B drums of chemical up to 90F-100F degrees before application. While maintaining a constant flow of chemical from the transfer pumps or in JOG mode or a combination of the two, the proportioners pre-heaters and hose heat will be used to heat the drums to a consistent temperature. Once the chemical in the drums reaches 90F-100F the circulation process can stop and processing can begin.

When checking the temperature of the drums during circulation it is important to use an inline thermometer or digital infrared thermometer.

While maintaining 1”-2” average from the outer surface of the drum, point the digital thermometer at the drum and scan from top to bottom, the temperature should be an approx average. If the chemical at the bottom of the drum is cooler than the top allow the mixing to continue until an approx average is noticed before application can begin.

Sealection open cell foams may have slight separate at temperature greater than 110F-120F, because of this we need to mix the material in the drum while circulating. The mixer that is used should be pneumatic or electric, electric mixers are preferred because accurate rpm adjustments can be made. It is important to constantly mix the resin (B-side) during and after circulation at a rate of 50-70rpm.

CAUTION: Circulation is for open cell, water blown foams only, in no case should closed cell foams containing the blowing agent 245FA be circulated. It is important to maintain temperature below 75f for foams containing 245FA.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

Additional information can be found in the Sealection Installers Manual or by contacting any one of Demilec USA’s technical service representatives.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

Morse John Deere 40kw Generator with 40cfm Rotary Screw Compressor

List: $21,000                        Sale: $18,500

*Pricing good for the month of July 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Water is a critical element of the body, and adequate hydration is a must to allow the body to function. Up to 75% of the body’s weight is made up of water. Most of the water is found within the cells of the body. The rest is found in the extracellular space, which consists of the blood vessels and the spaces between cells.

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. The body is very dynamic and always changing. This is especially true with water in the body. We lose water routinely when we:

• Humidity can be lose by breathe
• sweat
• urination

In a normal day, a person has to drink a significant amount of water to replace this routine loss.

The formula for daily fluid requirements depends upon an individual’s weight. Normally, fluid and weight are calculated using the metric system; however, below is the approximation in imperial (American) units.

The body is able to monitor the amount of fluid it needs to function. The thirst mechanism signals the body to drink water when the body is dry. As well, hormones like anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) work with the kidney to limit the amount of water lost in the urine when the body needs to conserve water.

Have a sluggish transfer pump? Does it seize on you? Chances are, it’s not being maintained properly. Many people lube the air motor potion of the pump with lithium grease that causes it to become extremely dry and sticky. This results in a slow drag on the up stoke and down stroke that can lead to feed problems or pressure imbalances. Correct this problem by using a synthetic marine grease such as Mobil SHC 100. Apply liberally around o-rings and inside the air cylinder.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

Many spray foam applicators tend to think using proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is only required when spraying or working around the sprayer.  This is not the case.  We need to protect our workers from hazard any time they are in the spray rig, especially when they’re cleaning guns.

The spray rig is arguably the most potentially hazardous environment our applicators work in.  There are high-pressure hoses, high-voltage electric wires and connections, and several chemicals like cleaning solvents, some of which are highly volatile.  There are also moving machine and engine parts, and hot surfaces, not to mention the exhaust from generators and trucks.

Common practice is to keep about 500 psi on the proportioner when the rig is shut down for transport so even when nothing’s running there’s a danger of a high-pressure hose suddenly leaking and spraying chemicals around the rig.

Before entering the spray rig all personnel must don safety glasses and gloves appropriate to the task they’re engaged in.  This is the minimum PPE required for every entry to the spray rig, but depending on the task there could be additional levels of protection needed.  For instance, if the warehouseman is loading drums into the rig, he must use leather gloves and steel-toed boots in addition to his safety glasses.

Cleaning guns and equipment with solvents in the back of the spray rig is potentially very hazardous.  The first level of protection should be engineering controls such as an exhaust hood to vent the VOCs from the rig and protect the worker from exposure.  The second level is proper PPE which includes a chemically resistant apron, chemically resistant gloves and a face shield in addition to the safety glasses already on before the workers enters the rig.  Standard spray suits and common nitrile gloves are not adequate protection from most solvents so additional protection must always be used.  Proper respirators are also required when handling many solvents.

Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet for PPE required when handling chemicals.  Also be aware that many chemicals are reactive with others and can produce gasses that are highly toxic so using them one at a time and not mixing chemicals is the best practice.

Use common sense and read the MSDS.  We, at Demilec, want you to be a valuable member of the Demilec Family of applicators for decades to come, and we can all work safely if we abide by OSHA requirements.

Isocyanate reacts with moisture creating hard crystals or scale which in some case may damage or ruin equipment. Removing this dried iso from spray foam equipment is necessary to prevent internal damage or contamination. The removal process can be difficult and a very labor intensive task without the proper tools.

Tool needed:
Needle scale
Flat putty knife
1000 grit sandpaper
Set of pics
Safety glasses or full face respirator

Remove part to be cleaned from chemical and wipe dry. Place the needle scaler against the object being cleaned and move back and forth in a sweeping motion. Take care as air born debris, chips and scale can become a hazard if proper PPE is not used. Use dental picks or wire brush to get in to tight areas or around nuts and bolts. Take care not to damage surface areas that require an o-ring seal as needle scaling can damage soft metals or delicate surfaces. Once the hardened material has been removed from the outside surfaces of the part it can be buffed with a wire wheel and polished with sandpaper or Emory cloth. Once the part has been wiped free of dust or debris, a thin coat of Chem Trend foam release may be used for easier cleaning in the future.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

Pricing good for the month of June 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at
(877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Mix Chambers for the Fusion Gun: Always make sure to check and properly clean your mixing chamber using only the proper drill bits that come with the mixing chamber. Using the wrong size drill bit will cause over size ports and can distort your spray pattern resulting in uneven patterns and can affect your yield.

Using a pin vise, not a power drill, insert the large drill bit into the front of the mixing chamber to clean out your pattern control. Do so carefully so that you do not break the drill bit inside. Flip your pin vise over and using the smaller drill bit, clean out the side holes. Remember not to go all the way thru as the holes are off set to create a mixing vortex.

If scratches appear on the surface of the mixing chamber, use 1000, or higher, grit wet/dry sandpaper to lightly buff out the scratches.

Always spray a test pattern on the floor to check your pattern before starting to spray. If your pattern is not a clean round pattern, stop and clean or replace the mixing chamber.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

*Pricing good for the month of May 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

We have all fallen at one time or another. Some of us walked away uninjured, some of us not so lucky and broken or sprained something. Injuries caused by a fall results in: Loss time—Loss $$$$–Loss production—Loss of life.

September 15, 2012 OSHA’S new code pertaining to fall protection will take effect. It is: 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926.50 (b)(13)  Simply states that anyone working six (6) feet above ground level will need to use conventional fall protection gear ( harness ). More information can be found on OSHA’S web page under RESIDENTIAL FALL PROTECTION. Let’s all work safe.

Check out this video of Heatlok Soy being used to retrofit a Victorian cabin in San Francisco!

10HP Rotary Screw Compressor

220v, 3 phase, 28 amps, 40 CFM at 150 PSI List: $5,070.00 Sale Price: $4,056.00 *Price does not include taxes or freight.

Pricing good for the month of April 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

If you see chemical dripping out of the back of your machine, it is quite possible that your rupture disk needs to be replaced.  Rupture disks are designed to burst to relieve pressure in order to prevent dangerous high pressure situations in the hose and other parts of the machine.  These rupture will also wear down and burst over time and need to be replaced, most often on the resin (B) side.

Should you suspect that your rupture disk needs to be replaced, follow these steps:

•  Put on proper personal protective equipment.
• Turn main power off and disconnect power supply.
• Relieve pressure to machine.
• Wait for heaters and fluid to cool.
• Remove back heater cover.
• Evaluate leaking material to determine which rupture disk has failed.
• Remove existing rupture disk.
• Clean area.
• Apply pipe sealant and PTFE tape to rupture disk assembly threads.
• Install replacement rupture disk, ensuring exhaust hole is at bottom, angled slightly toward outside of heater compartment.
• Apply 171001 warning label to front heater cover.
• Reinstall back heater cover

Check www.graco.com for manuals, further instructions, and warnings.

In the spray foam industry it is important to keep sprayers safe and healthy. It first starts at the truck, where sprayers spend a majority  of the day climbing in and out of the truck.  Employees jumping out of their trucks can incur injury. Foam contractors can’t afford to lose a sprayer for a couple of weeks do to a sprain or broken foot. Adding a safety ladder to the truck is an inexpensive way to avoid these types of injuries.

Demilec USA is always proud when one of their contractors goes beyond great and achieves true excellence.  Recently, Coastal Insulation Corp, headquartered in East Windsor, New Jersey, went far beyond the norm, winning an SPFA award for best residential wall project in the United States.  Demilec was proud that our products could help contribute to the success of Coastal in winning this prestigious industry award.  Recently, I had a chance to discuss the project with Anzhelika Ronis, Marketing Administrator for Coastal.

[[Show as slideshow]]

Demilec USA: Hi Anzhelika! This is Brandon with Demilec

Coastal Insulation Corp :   Hi brandon!

Demilec USA: How are you doing today?

Coastal Insulation Corp :   Super, thanks! How are you?

Demilec USA: I can’t complain.  Can we start with a brief history of Coastal Insulation Corp?

Coastal Insulation Corp : Sure. Coastal was started in 1975 by Steven and Susan Schwartz. Over time, a couple of other companies were acquired and another was created. This last year, we have put everything under the Coastal umbrella for marketing purposes.

Demilec USA:  Do you spray more open or closed cell foam?

Coastal Insulation Corp : I would say that it’s probably about equal. It obviously depends on what the project calls for and its location; if it’s above or below grade, etc.  We recently did a project that needed closed cell foam applied to the outside of a fire training center and we had to spray onto the concrete blocks from the outside.  A project like that would tilt the scales in favor of using more closed cell. For Residential, I’d say more open cell is used.  However we do a lot of residential custom homes, especially by the water, so where humidity and moisture is an issue, a whole house will get sprayed with closed cell.  For everything else, it varies.  There’s so much variation!  We have branched out into commercial and government and schools and specialty projects…

Demilec USA: That’s great to hear. Diversification is important and spray foam allows you to explore many different specialty projects

Coastal Insulation Corp : Absolutely! We’re lucky that we have people with a tremendous amount of knowledge about the product so we aren’t the type that says only go with open! Or only with closed! No way! We’re all about doing things the right way for the customer. Always.

Demilec USA: Recently, we were present to see Coastal win the award for Residential Wall Foam at the SPFA conference in Dallas. Congratulations on the win!

Coastal Insulation Corp : Thanks! We were so proud!

Demilec USA: Can you tell me a little about the project?

Coastal Insulation Corp : Sure. It was for HELP USA, along with the Make It Right Foundation and it’s called the Clinton Avenue Urban Renewal Project in Newark, NJ.  It’s a 60,000 sq. ft. space with 56 units of rental housing. Also included are computer rooms, a fitness center, meeting rooms, and community service space. The GC was Del-Sano General Contracting.  It took about 40 days to complete.  Local, minority, and union labor were all used. There was an aggressive timetable, so areas had to be partitioned so that other trades could keep working. The housing was built for lower income families and veterans.   There were different substrates such as steel beams, metal decking, atrium ceilings, garage band joists, 4th floor ceilings, attic bands and block walls.  It was originally intended to go for LEED Gold, but ended up Platinum, with spray foam’s help of course!

HELP USA is a national not-for profit, and the Make It Right Foundation was founded by Brad Pitt and others to build new single family homes in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans after Katrina. And they’re all about safe and affordable sustainable housing.

We have a video! Here’s the link:

Demilec USA: Video is always good!
Demilec USA: So most important question… did you get to meet Brad Pitt?

Coastal Insulation Corp : Sadly, no.  Though I don’t think it would have mattered. Don’t think anyone would leave Angelina…she’s too gorgeous and awesome!

Demilec USA:  Haha good answer. You guys complete a substantial amount of high profile projects and do a great job of marketing yourselves. How do your marketing efforts contribute towards running a successful spray foam business?

Coastal Insulation Corp : Well, with us getting into spray foam, the versatility and efficiency of the product on its own was staggering. We quickly realized that a great product does half the work for you. Honestly, we’re a bunch of overachievers here. We all really care and work hard for each other and with each other.  We’re all about being leaders. We’re not afraid to be the first ones out there doing things in a new way. We’re always looking to improve, well…everything. And, you know, the power of the internet cannot be ignored. After the initial period of asking everyone you know about a contractor’s reputation before you go ahead and hire them, it’s…online. It’s all online. We have a particularly strong production department and an amazing crew. We have an on-staff training manager and equipment specialist. Our crew has monthly ongoing training sessions. It’s all about communication, constantly striving to improve ourselves, and making sure we are visible and being talked about.
Coastal Insulation Corp : And…we all really like each other! That helps!

Demilec USA: That definitely helps. Some people don’t realize how big of an impact a positive work environment can have on a business

Coastal Insulation Corp : We certainly do. Especially in a field like this that’s really competitive and has strict construction schedules to adhere to, we have to work together, which Coastal does seamlessly.

Demilec USA: What advice can you give to a smaller spray foam company looking to establish a marketing presence?

Coastal Insulation Corp : For a smaller company that may be working with a start-up or smaller budget, I would say to focus your efforts online. Nowadays, with so many review sites and conversations taking place on social sites, make sure the word on the street for your company is strong. For many fields, especially in construction and building trade related fields, your reputation comes first and that has to follow with an online presence. This is vital.

Demilec USA: Well that’s all the questions that I have for the interview. Thank you so much for your time and thank you for using Demilec!

Coastal Insulation Corp : Ok, fantastic! You’re welcome and thank you, too! Bye Brandon!

Typical MSDS documents should include any chemical inside your foam rig, solvents, cleaners, grease, plasticizers, hydraulic fluid, type of fuel, and anything else that could be considered hazardous to your health or to the environment. These documents should be readily available at all times. We encourage you to keep a wall mounted MSDS station that can be accessed easily. Such documents should also be placed inside vehicles as well as stored on your computers.

Download a Sample Hazard Communication Program

This class will give you an overview of the tools and knowledge you’ll need to become the go-to Home Performance Contractor in your marketplace.
View Brochure

Customized Curriculum:

• BPI Technical Standards & Field Guide
• Carbon Monoxide
• Combustion Appliances
• Health & Safety
• Building Performance
• Pressure and Thermal Boundary/Envelope
• Insulation
• Supply/Return Distribution
• Duct Leakage
• Moisture & Air Balancing

After the hands on and field portion of the course, you will have the opportunity to take the BPI certification exams, both written and field.

When: April 2-6, 2012

Location: DEMILEC (USA), 3315 E. Division St., Arlington, TX 76011

Lodging: Crowne Plaza Suites Hotel 700 Avenue H East, Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 394-5000 www.cparlington.com Mention DEMILEC for Discount Rate $87/King & $94/Double per Night.

Pricing: $1,295 per person. (Note: Credit Card Users will be charged a 3% Fee.) Includes Training, Proctored BPI Field Exam and Hands-on BPI Field Exam.

Hurry, space is limited to 12 Authorized Contractors! Register Today!

Materials Needed:
Hard flat surface -  example:  marble or granite tile sample.
Fine grit sand paper - 1000, 1500 or 2000 grit.  (Lower grit sandpaper may damage the metal surfaces)

Directions:
Place the sandpaper on the smooth hard surface. You may want to wet the sandpaper to achieve a better finish. Only use two – three drops of water. Hold the side seal with your finger tips and sand the scratched surface on the sandpaper. Use a figure eight pattern to refinish. Do not slide the side seal front to back; this will create fine scratches on the surface. It is very important to apply equal pressure to the side seal on all sides to ensure a flat and smooth finish. If the side seal is angled this will damage the part and the gun will not work properly causing it to leak. Before reinstalling the side seal, inspect the oring and change it if damaged. Make sure the side seal is clean of contaminants such as chemical or metal shavings. Grease all gun parts with Graco white lithium grease and assemble the gun. Always trigger the gun 5 times before opening the 5/16 nut driver fittings. This seats the side seals and mixing chamber before the pressure valves are opened.

Please contact your local Technical Service Representative with any questions.

What a tremendous time in Orlando. The International Builders’ Show was far more upbeat than last year’s show. The largest residential construction industry trade show, The International Builders Show, wrapped up on February 11th in Orlando, Florida. The National Association of Home Builders, which owns and operates the show, expected over 50,000 people to be in attendance.

DEMILEC (USA) debuted our new booth and a state-of-the-art spray foam rig in our 50×60 booth. Traffic to the booth remained steady with a high interest in our spray foam insulation products.

Overall, the 2012 International Builders Show was a huge success for DEMILEC (USA) and we are looking forward to the 2013 International Builders Show scheduled for January 22-24, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

DEMILEC (USA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded third place in growth year over year (2011 compared to 2010) by Graco. Graco is a world leading manufacturer of spray foam equipment.

For the entire month of February, DEMILEC (USA) is offering 15% off all IPM Pumps & Parts.

Pricing good for the month of February 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Register for a FREE 4-Day Pass to the International Builder’s Show Courtesy of DEMILEC (USA)!

February 8-11, 2011
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL 

The International Builder’s Show is America’s largest annual residential housing construction trade event for manufacturers and suppliers of home construction products and services and is hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Don’t forget to visit DEMILEC (USA) at Booth # W2271, where we will be debuting our new display booth. Hope to see you at the show!

If you are cited for violations following an OSHA inspection, there are certain procedures that must be followed.

Here’s a brief overview of key issues. If you receive a Citation and Notification of Penalty from OSHA following an inspection:

• You must post the citation (or a copy of it) at or near the place where each violation occurred to make employees aware of the hazards to which they may be exposed.
• The citation must remain posted in a place where employees can see it, for 3 working days or until the violation is corrected, whichever is longer. (Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays are not counted as working days.)
• You must comply with these posting requirements even if you contest the citation.
• You also have to post the abatement certification documents (e.g., abatement certifications, abatement plans and progress reports) at or near the place where the violation occurred.
• For moveable equipment found to be in violation and where the posting of violations would be difficult or impractical, you have the option to identify the equipment with a “Warning” tag specified in the abatement verification regulation, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1903.19(i).

As an employer who has been cited, you may take either of the following courses of action:

• If you agree to accept the citation, you must correct the condition by the date set in the citation and pay the penalty, if one is proposed.
• If you do not agree, you have 15 working days from the date you receive the citation to contest in writing the citation, the proposed penalty, and/or the abatement date.

Informal Conference and Settlement

Before deciding to contest the citation, you may request an informal conference with the OSHA area director within the 15 working day period to discuss any issues related to the citation.

Employee representative(s) have the right to participate in any informal conference or negotiations between the regional administrator or area director and the employer. OSHA will, therefore, inform them of an informal conference or contest.

If you request an informal conference, you can use this opportunity to do any of the following:

• Obtain a better explanation of the violations cited
• Obtain a more complete understanding of the specific standards that apply
• Negotiate and enter into an informal settlement agreement
• Discuss ways to correct violations
• Discuss issues concerning proposed penalties
• Discuss proposed abatement dates
• Resolve disputed citations and penalties, thereby eliminating the need for the more formal procedures associated with litigation before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
• Obtain answers to any other questions you may have

Compliance Problems

OSHA encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to have an informal conference if you foresee any difficulties in complying with any part of the citation. Please note, however, that an informal conference must be held within the 15-working-day Notice of Intent to Contest period and will neither extend the 15-working-day contest period nor take the place of the filing of a written notice if you desire to contest.

If you agree that the cited violations exist, but you have a valid reason for wishing to extend the abatement date(s), you may discuss this with the area director in an informal conference. He or she may issue an amended citation that changes the abatement date prior to the expiration of the 15- working-day period without your filing a Notice of Intent to Contest.

When Citation Becomes Final

If you do not contest within 15 working days, your citation will become a final order not subject to review by any court or agency. After this occurs, the OSHA area director may continue to provide you with information and assistance on how to abate the hazards cited in your citation, but may not amend or change any citation or penalty, which has become a final order. The area director may only advise you on abatement methods or extend the time you need to abate the violation.

Types of OSHA Citations and How Much They Cost

OSHA issues different types of citations, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Penalties are proposed based on the type of violation.

If you’re cited for OSHA violations following an inspection, penalties may vary depending on the type of citation. Note, however, that in settling a penalty, OSHA says it has a policy of reducing penalties for small employers and those acting in good faith.

Willful

A willful violation exists under the OSH Act where an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the Act or a plain indifference to employee safety and health. Penalties range from $5,000 to $70,000 per willful violation. If an employer is convicted of a willful violation of a standard that has resulted in the death of an employee, the offense is punishable by a court-imposed fine or by imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both. A fine of up to $250,000 for an individual, or $500,000 for a corporation, may be imposed for a criminal conviction.

Serious

Section 17(k) of the OSH Act provides that “a serious violation shall be deemed to exist in a place of employment if there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a condition which exists, or from one or more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes which have been adopted or are in use, in such place of employment unless the employer did not, and could not with the exercise of reasonable diligence, know of the presence of the violation.” OSHA may propose a penalty of up to $7,000 for each violation.

Other-Than-Serious

This type of violation is cited in situations where the accident/incident or illness that would be most likely to result from a hazardous condition would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees. OSHA may impose a penalty of up to $7,000 for each violation.

De Minimis

De minimis conditions are those where an employer has implemented a measure different from one specified in a standard, that has no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health. These conditions do not result in citations or penalties.

Failure to Abate

A failure to abate violation exists when a previously cited hazardous condition, practice or non-complying equipment has not been brought into compliance since the prior inspection (i.e., the violation remains continuously uncorrected) and is discovered at a later inspection. If, however, the violation was corrected, but later reoccurs, the subsequent occurrence is a repeated violation. OSHA may impose a penalty of up to $7,000 per day for each violation.

Repeated

An employer may be cited for a repeated violation if that employer has been cited previously, within the last five years, for the same or a substantially similar condition or hazard and the citation has become a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC). A citation may become a final order by operation of law when an employer does not contest the citation, or pursuant to court decision or settlement. Repeated violations can bring a civil penalty of up to $70,000 for each violation.

Additional violations for which citations and proposed penalties may be issued upon conviction:

• Falsifying records, reports or applications can bring a fine of $10,000 or up to 6 months in jail, or both.
• Violations of posting requirements can bring a civil penalty of up to $7,000.
• Assaulting a compliance officer, or otherwise resisting, opposing, intimidating, or interfering with compliance officers while they are engaged in the performance of their duties is a criminal offense, subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 and imprisonment for not more than 3 years.

Demilec USA is pleased to announce that SEALECTION® 500 has passed the AC 377 Appendix X test, covered by only 5 wet mils (3 dry mils) of Blazelok™ IB4 intumescent coating. The official test report will be available for release within the next 2 weeks. The successful passing of the test allows SEALECTION® 500 to be installed in attics and crawlspaces at thicknesses of 7-1/4” on vertical surfaces and 11-1/4” on the horizontal surfaces, in one pass, with a coating of 5 wet mils of Blazelok™ IB4. At 5 wet mils, a 5 gallon pail of Blazelok™ IB4 will cover approximately 1600ft². At this rate of coverage, Demilec claims the SEALECTION® 500 and Blazelok™ IB4 system is an extremely cost competitive means of staying code compliant.

“This advance in technology shows Demilec USA’s commitment to finding the most cost effective means of meeting the intent of the code” said Dave Feitl, National Sales Manager of Demilec USA. “Our commitment continues as our research centers develop market changing technology for the future.”

According to Demilec, Blazelok™ IB4 is a cost effective, high coverage ignition barrier substitute developed by TPR². TPR2 is a company developed to provide revolutionary products and solutions for fire, heat, thermal and safety issues that a multiple of industries face today. TPR2 understands the importance as well as the cost of the new fire/safety codes being imposed on the marketplace.

Applying For The 2011 Tax Credit?

It’s Here! Time to file your 2011 Taxes! If you had any of DEMILEC (USA)’s energy efficient spray foam insulation products installed in 2011, you qualify for the Energy Efficient home Improvement Tax Credit as long as you meet the requirements set by the IRS (see below).

To claim the energy efficient products tax credit, you’ll need to complete IRS Form 5695 and it should be sent in with your return. Additionally, you will need to save the receipt received from your spray foam contractor and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit For 2011

• Home improvement tax credit: 10% of cost of the home improvement, up to a maximum of $500.
• Eligibility: Must be on an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals don’t qualify. The spray foam insulation has to be placed in service in 2011.

So you can receive at most a home improvement tax credit of $500. If you’ve already received credits totaling $500 or more from 2005-2010, you aren’t able to claim the credit for 2011.

Is Spray Foam Insulation Eligible For The 2011 Home Improvement Tax Credit?

• Spray foam insulation is covered so long as it meets IECC requirements.
• Installation cost is NOT covered.

Visit dsireusa.org to find out if there are any state incentives for renewables and efficiency in your area.

Demilec USA encourages you to do your part in ensuring your Foam Rig is loaded in a safe and proper manner. Using proper straps to ensure the drums will not shift or turn over is most important. Knowing the weight limit of your truck or trailer will ensure a safe trip to your next job site. When at the job site, use blocks or tire chucks to keep your rig where you park it. Safety first!

Figure 1 – Examples of an Overloaded Trailer

Figure 2 – Examples of a Correctly Loaded Trailer

Safety: are you in compliance?

Now is the time to replace or install safety items in your rig….

First Aid Kit
List Price: $101.31/Ea.
Sale Price: $81.05/Ea.

Eye wash Station
List Price: $60.17/Ea.
Sale Price: $48.14/Ea.

Pricing good for the month of January 2012 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Air Caps for the Fusion AP Guns:
Be careful not to use a drill bit to drill debris out of the four clean-off air ports at the back of the cap. Instead use a brush from the Fusion AP brush clean out kit, part number 15D546. If debris is hardened in the air passages it may be necessary to use the supplied plastic pick to loosen the debris. The four air ports coming from the back side of the aircap are angled and are NOT designed to go all the way through to the front hole of the cap. Work on debris in the air passages from the back side of the air cap. Work on the forward ring from the front side of the air cap. The design is to direct air out of the cap in a circular motion, evenly around the air cap and across the forward end of the mixing chamber, aiding in keeping the front of the mixing chamber clean. There is also a circular inner groove that is milled in the air cap that needs to be cleaned out for the air to properly be directed around the cap, If its not cleaned out properly, air will be introduced into four direct streams and can negatively affect the spray pattern. The air adjustment screw should be snug then loosened 1/4 to a 1/2 turn for clean off air. Air cap part number 15B210.

Below you will find a description of 25E as stated on Efficiency First’s Website:

What would the bill do?

This legislation will provide the first performance-based tax credit for people to make whole house energy improvements. The bill would add a new section to the Internal Revenue Code, referred to as “Section 25E: Performance Based Energy Improvements.”

 What need is being met by the 25E Tax Credit?

This enhances consumer choice and allows the taxpayer to pursue energy efficiency improvement options that links energy savings to the tax credit amount. Further, this offers policymakers an opportunity to link tax payer funds to actual performance.

How would the 25E Tax Credit be structured?

Individuals who qualify for the 25E Tax Credit would be given a credit for work done in the taxable year, as follows:

Projected Reduction in Heating, Cooling and Hot Water energy use: Maximum 25E tex credit

The tax credit would be capped at 30% of the total job cost for the installed measures.

How would energy use reduction be calculated?

A contractor will establish baseline energy us of the home by using BPI-2400-S-2011 or an equivalent standard. They would then provided estimated energy savings by modeling the retrofit using software certified by RESNET, or other software approved by the Secretary.

Which companies would qualify to do work?

In order for their customers to qualify for the tax credit, companies would need to be either:

● A BPI accredited company

● A RESNET certified Energy Smart Home Performance Team

● A company accredited by an equivalent certification program approved by the Secretary.

Arlington, Texas – November 22, 2011 - DEMILEC (USA) LLC announced today that its spray foam insulation, SEALECTION® 500 passed when covered with No-Burn® Plus XD. The test was performed in accordance with AC 377 appendix X standards. No-Burn Plus XD, used as an ignition barrier substitute, was applied at a thickness of 6 mils wet (4 mils dry).

“Offering an affordable, and easy-to-apply, Appendix X approved intumescent coating to our Authorized Contractors is important us,” said Dave Lall, CEO of DEMILEC (USA). “And No-Burn Plus XD offers these benefits to our team of Authorized Contractors.”

No-Burn Plus XD is a low VOC ignition barrier manufactured in the USA; meeting both International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) specific requirements for spray applied foam plastic insulation, while contributing to LEED regional material points and complying with the ARRA Buy American provision, Plus XD is available directly through Demilec USA. Technical questions about Plus XD should be directed to the manufacturer, No-Burn, Inc. Estimating and technical support are provided by No-Burn, Inc. No-Burn® applicators are invited to take the comprehensive online training.  Email info@noburn.com for direct customer support and training access.  Refer to the manufacturer’s Technical Data Sheet for PPE, spray rig recommendations and application preparation.

About DEMILEC (USA) LLC®

DEMILEC (USA) LLC.® is a manufacturer of a line of high quality spray foam insulation products that include products and brands such as SEALECTION® 500, SEALECTION Agriblance®  and  HEATLOK SOY® 200. Anyone seeking more information about DEMILEC (USA) LLC® or its products can visit www.DemilecUSA.com or call 1-877-DEMILEC (336-4532).

About No-Burn, Inc.

No-Burn, Inc. has been leading the way in fire resistant technology since 1998.  All No-Burn® products are evaluated by independent third party laboratories for compliance with International Codes.  No-Burn’s products are low VOC, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic and contribute to the enhancement of the built environment.  Several No-Burn® products also offer a dual level of protection, reducing the risk of fire and resisting the growth of toxic-black mold.  To learn more, please visit our website: www.noburn.com.  Contact No-Burn, Inc.’s sales and technical support at, info@noburn.com or call 800-989-8577.

Everyone has heard a story that sounded too good to be true.  When I first heard about Best Homes from one of our customers in Texas, I had to check it out for myself.   Here’s what caught my attention:  I was told that during one of the hottest summers on record, with an average high temperature of 102 degrees and keeping the thermostat at 75°F, Mike Murphy’s company had built a 2,414 square foot home that had an energy bill of only $43.69 for the month of August, 2011.  When I looked into the story further, I found out that all of the properties Best Homes were building performed similarly.

With my pen and yellow note pad I headed out to Burleson, TX to see him.  Within the first two minutes of arriving, I knew I had been given the opportunity to meet one of the most amazing builders I have met in the last 17 years.  Mike and his partners had worked with the university, as well as different engineers and architects to design a home that really performed in all weather conditions.  The best part was, his customers knew it.  In an economy where many builders were going under, Best Homes had developed a product that consumers desired so strongly that some were even coming in and paying cash for them.  Mike called me up this morning while I was writing this article to tell me that he had sold 4 homes last week.  They were the first homes he had sold in November in 10 years.

When I asked Mike what he attributed the performance of his homes to, he said that it was Demilec USA’s spray foam insulation and the design of the mechanical system.  Mike said; “I’ve got to tell you Ken, many of the homes being built today are nothing but shelter.  Our homes have no dust because of the lack of air infiltration, they are quiet and I have had zero call backs on crown molding shrinking.  When we used fiberglass we had to go out and fix 40% of our homes.”  Mike has every reason to be excited.   He had a customer tear up a contract on a house around the corner and purchase one of theirs after the couple stopped by the model home while checking out their new neighborhood.    “These homes perform so well that the money they save in energy is enough to cover up to two of their mortgage payments per year.”

As Mike walked us through the model home, he was quick to point out the raised ceilings in every room.  “Now with spray foam, I’m sloping and raising all kinds of walls that I couldn’t before.  I can raise any top plate in a foamed house and my HVAC performs perfectly.”  Mike went on to explain that he is against sloping a wall with conventional insulation because, in his experience, the air permeable R-22 insulation just doesn’t perform and makes the room uncomfortable.

When I asked Mike why more builders didn’t build this type of home he said; “I started this in 1985.  It was so hard to change even my own thought process on building and everything I do.  I had to retrain everyone’s thinking that works for me.  In a vibrant market I may not have given spray foam a second look.   Learning the technology has been fun.”  I went on to ask Mike how long he had been thinking about building homes the way he was now. “I’m two years into this and my models have only been open 2 weeks.  The hardest one to convince was my mechanical contractor.”

The minute a prospective buyer sees the attic in one of these high performance homes, the Best Homes commitment to quality and energy savings shines through.  Mike took me on a tour which started by going through the garage to a set of stairs leading up to the attic.  As we headed up the stairs, you could feel the temperature rise.  When we got to the top you could feel the heat radiating off of the radiant barrier coated plywood.  Mike turned to us and took a moment to say; “My competitors are using this radiant barrier, I just put it on so people can see how well it works.”  Even though it was only 98 degrees the day that we toured the model for Best Homes, the roof deck was too hot to touch.

As we began the tour of the attic insulated with spray foam, Mike opened the door to the attic and we were amazed.  Mike began to count as he watched our eyes.  He let us know that normally he can count to ten before someone will speak.  Yes, it is true that the temperature, the humidity level, the comfort and professional look of the attic can leave you speechless.  Where you would expect to see long tangled runs of flex duct strung everywhere and a dusty mess, you see instead a clean and professionally done space that shows you what a closed attic assembly should look like and why they are becoming so widely used.

In my mind this story is about the fact that people want quality products.  I would never go to the big electronics superstore after saving up my money to buy the cheapest home theater system I can get.  I want performance.  Why is it, so many builders miss this?  The way customers are buying their homes shows that Best Homes understands this concept.   Mike Murphy and his partners are thrilled with the performance of the spray foam insulation they use from Demilec USA.  When I called Mike to tell him about the article I was writing about Best Homes, he gave me the statement that really is the moral of the story.  “Our customers are so thrilled with the performance of these homes that they are writing us fan mail.”

Keeping up with respirator maintenance is not only highly recommended by Demilec USA, but it is also an OSHA requirement.

The safety of your helpers is just as important as your sprayer wearing a fresh air apparatus. All helpers that are not wearing fresh air, but are in the spraying area, are required to wear a cartridge respirator with a 2 stage cartridge that is to be maintained as per OSHA Code 1910.134.

You must also keep an updated written Respiratory Maintenance Program, keeping records both on the rig and in the home office.

Download Sample Respiratory Protection Program

Description: 8″ or 12″ blower system with 15′ duct built into a heavy duty bag. Zippered ends allow blower use without removing unit from bag. combination Axial 8″ or 12″ blower, 15′ duct and custom storage bag to house system.

Construction:

• Lightweight, metal 8″ or 12″ blower
• Super quiet
• Carry handle with molded-in 2-speedswitch
• Steel/powder coated housing and grills
• Unique bag with openings for plug/cord, inlet and outlet
• Durable reinforced polyester bag
• Easy to carry and store
• All-in-one unit for ease of operation
• Duct mounted in the blower and stored inside the bag
• Both carrying handle and shoulder strap allow for easy transportation

Pricing good for the month of December 2011 only. Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

COLD WEATHER TECH TIPS

With the cold weather upon us, I feel the need to remind everyone about some of the following things that will help insure good foam is being applied and equipment problems are minimized.

STORAGE

• Try to store drums/rig in an environment of 60- 80 degrees F.
• Keep drums off of concrete floors and do not store in any room where the temperature can go below 60 degrees F.
• If you have a heated rig, try to stock the material the night before so that it will be warm at the start of your next day.
• Store grease & clear-shot in a warm area as these items will tend to be very thick and could cause some gun issues

SPRAY RIG

• Whatever the temperature is in the rig, will become that temperature of Hoses, grease, clear shot, hydraulic oil and everything in the rig. Longer start-up times will result if the rig is cold.  Air, hose and recirculation lines can freeze if the trailer is not kept warm.
• Try to keep drums off the floor as they will absorb the cold. Put on a pallet, build a 2×4 frame and fill with foam plywood deck to insulate the drums. Some applicators prefer to foam the underside of the truck/trailer body to keep the floor warm.
• Invest in some nice space heaters, drum blankets…etc.  Drum Band heaters are not recommended.
• Keep your truck/trailer as close to the jobsite entrance as possible.  A roll of fiberglass batt material can be used to put under any hose that will be laying on cold pavement or snow. (this will help keep it warm)
• If possible, get your truck / generator serviced before the cold months. If your generator doesn’t have a heat plug, get one.
• Using a re-circulation system is of prime importance in the winter months to bring open cell resin drum temperatures up to improve foam performance and yield.
• You will generally have more stuff plugged in so check all outlets and extension cords. Service or replace if necessary.
• A drum mixer is also required to keep material mixed, aerated and help provide a uniform drum temperature.

Contact your DemilecUSA Technical Service Representative with any questions or issues.

Fire is a serious concern during construction, repair and retrofit projects because materials can be exposed to ignition sources. For example, there may be a potential for polyurethane foam to be exposed to open flame from welding, cutting torches, and other ignition sources from allied trades during certain construction sequences. While fires involving polyurethane foam during construction, retrofit or repair are rare, they do happen. Please read and share the following documents for more information on Fire Safety while working with polyurethane foam.

• Fire Safety Caution Sign
• Fire Safety Guidance for Working with Polyurethane Foam Products
• Fire Safety Guidelines
• Six Steps to Fire Safety

Private spray gun sale, call (817) 640-4900 or email parts@demilecusa.com for prices! Sale Prices good for purchases made in November ONLY!

When maintaining your Reactor, one of the quick things to check on the E-series machines is the connecting rods. These are the rods that connect the motor to the displacement pumps, located on the side of the machine. If the  bearings on the connecting rods begin to work their way out, they could begin to seize the pump and burn up the motor as well as the control board.

Inspect the connecting rods and bearing on a regular basis. Use a Phillips head screw driver and remove the plastic bearing housing cover from the A and the B side of the Reactor. Inspect the bearings and apply a liberal amount of marine grease on the bearings and working parts of the connecting rod as needed. Re-install the plastic covers to ensure dust and or debris does not come in contact with the outer components of the connecting rod or displacement pump.

For more information see Graco Manual: 312066N, page 28.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

Ladders are an important and versatile piece of equipment commonly seen around most jobsites. Ladders come in many different varieties such as straight ladders, extension ladders, fixed ladders, frame ladders, job-built ladders, and step ladders.  Although a ladder seems simple enough to use, unsafe ladder practices can lead to serious injuries. Falls are the primary hazard involving ladder use.
A fall from a ladder can result from a number of reasons:

1. Unprotected ladders set up in open doorways or high traffic zones can be bumped into or knocked over, causing a fall.
2. Employees can slip or lose their balance while climbing or by over-reaching while working at the top of a ladder.
3. If a ladder is not set up properly it can shift, causing the person on the ladder to fall.
4. Weather conditions can affect safety on ladders used outside.

Virtually all ladder injuries can be avoided if employees are properly trained in the safe use of ladders, and follow these 4 simply rules.

Rule 1: Pick the Right Ladder
The ladder should be of the correct type and length.  An ordinary straight ladder will be used for most purposes. An extension ladder may be required for high work.  A step ladder is used when you need a free-standing ladder or one with a tool tray. Some situations may not require a ladder at all. Instead, you may need a scaffold. Never use a metal ladder around any electrical installation.

Rule 2: Check the Condition of the Ladder
Never use a damaged ladder. Make sure all parts of the ladder are in good working order free from corrosion, rust, rot, cracks and other defects. Check the rungs, side rails, braces, hinges, ropes and pulleys. See that the rungs are free of slippery substances such as oil. Make sure that the non-slip rubber feet are in good condition. Check overall for any signs of warping or twisting.

If upon inspection, faulty or defective components are discovered, the ladder must be immediately tagged and removed from service. The ladder may not be returned to service until repairs equal to original manufacturer’s specifications are made.

Gravity never forgets. As soon as you set foot on the ladder’s first rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity works to bring you back to earth. Therefore, it is no surprise that ladder safety begins from the ground up.

Rule 3: Set Up the Ladder
With a straight ladder, walk it into position hand over hand. Make sure the base is solid. Tie the top if you can. A straight ladder should be placed against the wall at an angle so that the base of the ladder is one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height. You can remember this formula as the “four up, one out” rule. So a 16 foot extension ladder should be 4 feet out from the wall at the base.

A stepladder should be locked into a fully-open position before you attempt to use it.
Raising an extension ladder is a two-person job. There should be a considerable overlap between each section.

Rule 4: Work Safely on a Ladder
When climbing or working on a ladder, maintain three-point contact. This means that two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet should be in contact with the ladder at all times.
Keep centered on the ladder. Here’s a way to remember to do so – your belt buckle should remain between the two side rails at all times. Never lean away from the ladder because you can cause it to topple.

• Do not carry tools or materials in your hands. Keep tools in a belt, or hoist objects up after you.
• Do not stand on the top few rungs of any ladder.
• Footwear should have clean soles made of a non-skid material. Leather is too slippery.
• Never move a ladder while you are on it.
• Move slowly and carefully on a ladder.
• Do not work on a ladder if you are ill, overly tired, or possibly under the influence of alcohol or other medications which will affect your ability to work safely on the ladder.

When you descend a ladder, practice the same safety rules. Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.

Think before you carry.  Before you start to haul a ladder around, evaluate the area where you will be working. Ladders can be heavy and unwieldy. You can strike another person or object, or hit electrical power lines. Make the ladder as compact as possible before transporting it. Carry it horizontally while tilting it higher in front and lower in back. If the ladder is particularly long and heavy, get a coworker to help you carry it.

This month’s Featured Contractor is Lee Stoltzfus with Foam-Tech Insulation Service, Inc. out of Lancaster, PA.  Foam-Tech has been in business for the last 4 years and has seen their business grow by providing quality service, a great product and by taking diversified projects.  Of particular note is the work they have done for the theater and art world.

How long have you been in business?

We’re coming up on 4 years.

How big is your current operation?

We have 2 rigs, 4 guys in the field and 3 people in the office.

Why did you get into spray foam?

That’s a very good question.  Want to hear something?  I had somebody spray foam my addition on my house.  And I told the guy… oh man it was like 10 years ago… when you retire, I want to buy your business from you.  And that’s basically what happened.  I left my own company where I was a 45 percent minority shareholder in Lancaster, PA and settled in on this foam insulation.  I’ve been trained at BPI and also at Demilec. The first few years were really a struggle.  Were doing work in 10 days that used to take 3 months to do. Last year we did about 750k and this year were on target for a million.

That’s great to hear!  What was your background before spray foam?

I was in the painting industry and grew up working for the company I left to start in spray foam.  I was cleaning out buckets when I was 12 years old and I eventually became a shareholder in the company.

What are some of the unique challenges you face when working with Pour in Place foam?

Ryan: One thing I would say, the spray foam equipment needs a lot of maintenance and taking care of. When you’re going 6 days a week, it’s definitely a challenge to keep up with that.

Lee: I think one thing that’s really important is that you have the right team of guys working together.  If you have the right team of guys working together, it’s amazing what happens.  I’m reflecting on a proverb that says that one strand can be easily broken and two strands are hard to break, but three strands are almost impossible to break.  I think there is a certain synergy when you get the right people together and they’re all on the same team.  Recently, I was working on trying to get a water tank done.  I and the other guy spraying were just feeding off each other’s energy and it was absolutely amazing what we accomplished.  We sprayed around 1/3 of a million gallon tank in about 4 hours.

That’s really impressive.  Don told me that you have done some work on theater sets.  Tell me about some of the unique projects you have done outside of insulation.

We were doing all of their 2 lb spray and hard coating on their sets and they would go and carve them out and take them to get painted.  We’ve done at least 3 sets with them so far and we just finished doing another set for them.  We also did the raceway monster for a NASCAR race which you can see on our website.  It was a huge statue over 40 feet high and we sprayed over 10k worth of foam on that statue.

We are really looking at diversification.  It’s amazing what I learn from my customers by researching the questions that they ask and I always answer their questions.  If I don’t know, I’ll look into it.  If I know, I’ll give them educational material.  One thing that really helps us with educating people is the heat flow charts.  They are a very visual material that people can look at and see the dollar return on their investment.

That’s awesome because I feel that education is so important to the success of our industry.  Where do you see the SPF industry going in the next 5 years?

That’s a very good question.  I think it’s going to continue to grow.  I think it’s getting more competitive right now and will continue to do so.  I think the current business models will be changing and we need to continue to tweak and change things.  We in the foam industry really need to guard our overhead.  Maintenance is super important.

Ryan:  I started with Lee 3 years ago now. Before I started with him, I really wondered if this was going to take off because I wasn’t familiar with foam at all.  He had one rig and one guy working for him at the time and Lee was doing all the spraying himself. I didn’t really see this becoming a big company or growing that fast.  Lee educated me about the foam and I got really into it and took the full time position with him.  It was just me and one other sprayer for the longest time, and all of a sudden out of nowhere we just blew up with business.  I would be surprised if in 5 years we weren’t doing double of what we’re doing now.  And that’s a conservative estimate.

Lee:  We did a job for a guy who was a local heating and air conditioning contractor.  He was arguing with us back and forth about the merits of 2 lb vs. ½ lb foam and I said ‘look, if you really are stuck on this 2lb, let’s put an inch and a half or two inches to get the vapor barrier and spray open cell over that’ but he wanted to put 3 inches on it.  ¼ of the way through spraying the attic he said ‘stop Lee, I get it.’  He said ‘let’s go ahead and do it your way and back it up with ½ lb.’ This guy has been such an avid educator of all of his customers.  He took 30 of my business cards and I told him that ill hold his bill and for every job he gives me that ill give him 100 bucks off his invoice.  Hes given me 8-12 jobs in the last 3 months.  Can you believe that?

We’ve developed relationships with other companies as well.  You have to keep looking at your business and thinking “how can we tweak this?  How can we get more out of this?”  Now when we do business for a homeowner, I would say within 6-8 months, we have gotten another job from that homeowner.  That exponentially grows your business.  Like you said, we need to educate and that’s a part of the process.  If I can get into your home, and your wife and children notice the impact, I’ll not only get your business but I’ll get your heart and I’ll get your pocketbook because you can’t help but talk about this. It’s a total experience if you have it in your home and it works.

Why do you use Demilec Spray Foam?

I have never seen a supplier that is so crazy about delivering an excellent product.  And not only about getting the contractors to apply it, but supporting them in the whole process.  Even today I can’t believe the support you guys give us and the service you provide for us as a team on the front line.  Don Waltz (Territory Manager) is amazing.  He came out here and helped us land a 50k job when we first got started.  It was a 15,000 square foot, 7 million dollar house and he helped us land the job.  Who else would come out and do that for us?  And those first 2 years were brutal but with the support you guys brought to the table, it really made the difference.

That’s great to hear and that’s an awesome compliment for us.  We really appreciate it Lee.  Thank you so much for your time and your continued business and loyalty. 

Thank you.

Demilec USA has recently promoted Brian Cote to the position of Territory Manager for the Northeastern United States.  His territory covers Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.  Brian has been a Technical Service Representative in this area for the past one and a half years and is looking forward to his expanded role as a Territory Manager.

Brian comes from a military background, consisting of 13 years in the Army where he served as a Sergeant 1^st Class.   He has a 15 year background in the spray foam insulation and construction industry and has extensive experience with everything from residential construction to high profile commercial work.  Starting as a spray foam rig helper and working up to a site supervisor for a team of 5 rigs, Brian has knowledge of all aspects of the spray foam business.  He has worked extensively on many large commercial projects and has expertise with open and closed cell foam, as well as specialty products such as pour in place foams.  His building science and technical knowledge will guarantee our customers are spraying and receiving the best foam every time.

If you have any questions for Brian or are looking to get into the spray foam industry in the northeast, please feel free to contact him at (203) 767-3215 or by calling (817) 640-4900.

It is important to keep an eyewash station nearby at all times in your Spray Foam Truck/Trailer. It should be in an easy to get to, convenient place in your rig typically mounted on the wall. In the event an eye wash bottle has been opened or used, it should be immediately replaced. Not having an eyewash station goes against OSHA standards and could wind up costing you hefty fines. Keep a clear vision and stay safe.

An 0A error code on an Reactor Series propotioning unit simply means that the machine has lost communication to the FTS (Fluid Temperature Sensor). This kind of reading is displayed if the FTS is disconnected at startup or if there is an issue with the FTS or TC (thermocouple-purple) wire. The machine does not recognize the sensor and is in amperage mode.

0A stands for ZERO amperage. If you are on a spray job and only have a small amount to complete, you can continue to use your equipment in “manual hose heat” mode, by pressing the UP arrow on the temperature display board, you will see that the 0A will allow you to adjust up to 45 amps.

Depending on the length of hose and temperature desired, select the amperage and use a backstab thermometer along side the butyl jacket lining of the hose as near as possible to the gun without puncturing the hose. This way you can have an accurate reading as to what your hose temperature really is allowing you to spray good foam. This should be done only as a temporary fix until you can resolve the issue and replace the part(s) necessary.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

For the Month of October, DEMILEC (USA) is offering a FREE Personal Protective Equipment Bag on all orders over $500.

Place your parts order Today!

Demilec USA is proud to announce that SEALECTION Agribalance®, as well as HEATLOK SOY®  200 have passed the TAS 202 Static Air Pressure Test and exceeded the performance criteria of the TAS-203 Cyclic Wind Pressure Test for both the state of Florida and Miami-Dade County.  SEALECTION Agribalance® is the first open cell foam to pass these stringent tests and be eligible for use as a hurricane adhesive, as well as a high R-value spray foam insulation.  HEATLOK SOY® 200 passed the TAS-203 testing with over 3 times the minimum code requirement for a hurricane adhesive, and exceeded the capacity of the test equipment causing the chamber to fail.

SEALECTION Agribalance® and HEATLOK SOY® 200 have proven that they bond the roof deck and trusses together, helping to prevent storm damage and provide increased wind uplift resistance.   Dave Feitl, National Sales Manager for DEMILEC (USA), stated “We’ve always known that Demilec’s products add to the structural integrity of the building.  We now have verified third party proof of their strength through independent lab testing.  I am confident that HEATLOK SOY® 200 and SEALECTION Agribalance® should be used as a standard, not just in hurricane prone areas, but also in places with high straight-line winds, tornadoes and any areas with high wind conditions.”

As well as increasing the structural integrity of your home, SEALECTION Agribalance® and HEATLOK SOY® 200 provide a high R-value insulation that can be used to insulate the entire structure without switching to a different insulation product.  Both products contain renewable content, zero ozone depleting chemicals and can help your LEED project accumulate a significant number of points.   SEALECTION Agribalance® and HEATLOK SOY® 200 are ideal hurricane adhesive and insulation solutions for both new construction and retrofit applications.  For more information about HEATLOK SOY® 200, SEALECTION Agribalance® and DEMILEC (USA), please call (877) 336-4543 or visit our website at www. DemilecUSA.com.

This month’s Featured Contractor is with Darren Able from Sooner Foam. Sooner Foam is a Spray Foam Insulation company out of Norman, Oklahoma and has been in business since 2005.

Demilec: How long have you been in business?

Darren:  This is my sixth year in business.  I started in 2005.

Demilec: How many Rigs do you have running?

Darren:  I’ve got 4 rigs total.  I’ve got one box truck with 2 proportioners.  I’ve got 2 trailers with one pump each, and I’ve got an injection foam rig for existing wall cavities. I’m going to add a polyurethane machine to that one as well so I can inject the walls and then do the roof deck without having to bring in another rig.

Demilec:  Do you do more Commercial or Residential work?

Darren:  I do more residential work overall.  The commercial side has really picked up, and as far as dollar wise goes, I do as much commercial work as residential if not more.  There are fewer commercial jobs overall, but they are generally much bigger.

Demilec:  Lately we have seen the rapid expansion of the retrofit market.  Especially with new construction being down and more and more people looking to stay in their existing homes and make those homes more energy efficient.  How much of your current business is Retrofit?

Darren:  It’s been growing a great deal.  People are seeing what we are doing with foam in new homes and they want it.  I don’t know what the exact percentage is.  I’d say 5% of people are building new houses and 95% are living in existing ones.  There is a much greater market for those who are already in a house than there is for those that are building a house.  The people who really like their house and are planning on staying in it are looking to plan for the future.  They’re looking to their retirement years and know that energy costs are going to go up.  Because of this, we keep doing more and more retrofit work all the time.  We’ve got some guys that are really good at it now and can get them finished really quickly.

Demilec:  Do you ever run into people who don’t believe that spray foam can be added to an existing structure?  How do you educate them?

Darren:  Well we’ve seen that dying out.  A lot of homes have been sprayed now.  This is the way were doing new homes in the highest humidity areas in Florida and Louisiana.  In those areas, they did the roof decks and saw that there was actually less humidity in the attics.

Demilec:  Where do you see Spray Foam going in the next 5 years?

Darren:  I see it continuing to grow.  People have adjusted to the higher price because they see the energy efficiency of it.  I think anybody who has a couple of years of experience in this field and knows what they are doing can excel.  It’s a tough job and a lot of people don’t make it.  They see that there is a good potential to make a lot of money but they don’t see all of the effort that needs to go into it.  It’s for a certain individual and not everyone can make it in the spray foam business for sure.  It definitely ranks up there with the toughest jobs on the market as far as I’m concerned, for the business owner as well as the applicators.

Demilec:  Why do you choose to use Demilec products?

Darren:  I started with Demilec. I’ve had other people let me try a set of theirs, but haven’t found anything better.  SEALECTION 500 has always been the top out of all open cell products.  The Heatlok Soy had some heat problems and we weren’t getting the best yields out of it, but now that Heatlok Soy 200 is out, I’m getting much better results.  I get far less tip clogging and much better yields.  It’s much less sensitive than the original Heatlok Soy.  I also like my sales rep and Dave Lall along with all the rest of the staff at Demilec.  Without them, I could have been swayed away by price, but they keep my price fair and provide the best service.

September is a busy month for DEMILEC. If you will be at any of the events below, we welcome you to stop by and visit us at our booth.

September 14-16, 2011
21st Century Building Expo
Construct 2011
EEBA’s Excellence in Building Conference & Expo

September 15-16, 2011
Green Building Focus: Birmingham

September 20-21, 2011
Healthcare Facilities Expo

September 21, 2011
DEMILEC (USA) Authorized Contractor Orientation

September 22-24, 2011
DEMILEC (USA) Approved Applicator Training

September 22-23, 2011
Insulation Contractor’s Association of America (ICAA) Conference & Expo

September 23-24, 2011
AIA New Mexico Convention and Expo

September 29-30, 2011
AIA Iowa Convention

View Events Calendar

Courtesy of Rider University. Artist's rendering of a new 21,250-square foot academic building and plaza for Rider University.

DEMILEC (USA) LLC.’s SEALECTION Agribalance open-cell spray foam insulation has been selected as the insulation-of-choice for Rider University’s new academic building and theatre expansion at the Lawrenceville campus. The new academic building has been built to meet silver certification standards set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system and is set to open this fall.

SEALECTION Agribalance spray foam insulation was selected for use in the new academic building and theatre expansion because of its extreme energy efficient properties. SEALECTION Agribalance contains 10% renewable agricultural-based materials (refined vegetable oils) in the. SEALECTION Agribalance was installed by Coastal Insulation Corp, a DEMILEC (USA) Authorized Contractor located in East Windsor, New Jersey.

For more information on product application, please visit Coastal Insulation Corp.’s web site at www.coastalinsulationcorp.com or by phone at (800) 535-0028.

The new academic building will encompass 21,250 square feet and adjoin a new plaza to be built next to the Franklin F. Moore Library and Memorial Hall. It will feature 12 classrooms and seminar rooms, including a 150-seat lecture hall, and 15 faculty and departmental offices. Along with the new building, Rider plans to improve the HVAC systems and energy performance of the 50-year-old Memorial Hall.

The 11,000-square-foot expansion of the auditorium in the Bart LuedekeCenter, which was built in 1970, will create a full teaching and production theater with seating for 350 people. That part of the project will include additional stage depth, two dressing rooms, a green room, several offices and performance practice space. Enhanced lighting and sound systems also are planned for the theater.

Anyone seeking more information about DEMILEC (USA) or its spray foam insulation products can visit www.DemilecUSA.com or call 1 (877) DEMILEC (336-4532).

DEMILEC (USA) LLC.® is a manufacturer of a line of high quality spray foam insulation products that include environmentally friendly products and brands such as SEALECTION® 500, SEALECTION Agriblance® and HEATLOK SOY®. Following guidelines established by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), DEMILEC (USA) has developed Green spray foam insulation products that meet the standards of the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. 

Demilec USA encourages you to do your part in ensuring your Foam Rig is up to OSHA standards. As you can see, any kind of stripped, *spliced, torn, damaged, hardwired, or repaired electrical cords and hoses classify as a direct OSHA violation. This is a serious issue and corrective action should be taken IMMEDIATELY for the safety of your employees. In addition, you want to eliminate any risk of hefty fines tallying in thousands of dollars. For more detailed information, please visit the link provided.

Extension Cords:  Extension cords are convenient ways to provide power to portable equipment.  However, they are often misused, resulting in injuries and expensive OSHA fines.  Extension cords are intended only for temporary use with portable equipment.  Extension cords may only be used for: remodeling, maintenance, repair or demolition of buildings and for temporary, holiday needs.  Learn more…

*Splices:  Splices are mainly used when an extension cord is damaged.  In most cases splicing a damaged extension cord is not an option.  Most extension cords are from14 to 16 gauge. OSHA will only allow a 12 gauge or larger cord to be spliced.  Electrical tape cannot be used to splice a flexible cord. Learn more…

Recently, Demilec USA partnered with Sunset Magazine and HyBrid Architecture out of Seattle, Washington to insulate this modern home, constructed out of a retired shipping container!  The container utilizes spray foam insulation, along with other energy efficient upgrades to create a comfortable, economical living environment in an extremely compact space.  A container home can function as a budget home for a cost conscious consumer or as an affordable vacation home for those looking for a permanent place to get away.

Regardless of whether you think the idea of living in a container home is tempting or unappealing, there is no question that it is a cool project.

For more information on HyBrid Architecture and purchasing a container home featuring Heatlok Soy 200 Insulation, visit http://www.cargotecture.com/

To read more about Sunset Magazine’s container home project, click here.

Part Number: FOAMZALL
Part Name: FOAMZALL (Milwaukee 13 Amp) Electric Foam Trimming Saw

Description: The FOAMZALL includes the toughest Milwaukee® brand heavy-duty orbital Sawzall® around, which has a custom coupling to secure a 36″ long serrated blade intended for trimming 1/2 lb foam. The 13 Amp, 120 Vac saw has a 1 1/4″ stroke and can provide up to 3,000 strokes per minute. Features include (5) selectable speed control settings, a rotating handle that can be locked into (8) different positions every 45° of rotation for optimal operator comfort and an orbital or straight reciprocating cut option.

**Blades Not Included.
***Hurry offer ends September 30, 2011.

List Price $526
Sale Price: 15% off – $447.10

Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

During summer months we see a lot of problems with the Reactors overheating and shutting down. The circuit boards have their own thermal limit sensors and will shut down if the proportioning equipment gets too hot.

One common indication that the equipment has gotten too hot is an E:05 error code; this will show up on the display panel of the Reactor.

The Reactors have a cooling fan that is built into the left side of the electrical cabinet. The fan is designed to pull air off the bottom of the Reactor through cooling ports beneath the temperature and motor control boards. Air is drawn up the back of the control boards, through the fan plenum, across the electrical motor, and exhausts out of the right side of the top shrouding.

You may experience thermal shut-down:

1. If the fan is not operational or dust has come between the fan blades and the housing.

2. The electrical cabinet door is not properly secure and fastened to the Reactor.

3. There are obstructions under the Reactor preventing air flow through the cooling ports of the Reactor electrical cabinet.

4. The Ambient conditions in or around the Reactor are too high.

Part Number: 10A-BB30-CO
Part Name: Air Systems 30 CFM Breather Panel

Description: These portable Grade-D filtration systems are designed to provide breathing air for a specific number of workers. The system filters inlet air to provide respirator users Grade-D quality air. The first stage filters bulk water and particulate, second stage coalescing filter eliminates atomized oils, mists, and ultra-fine particulates, third stage removes organic vapors and odors. Filter change indicators are standard on all three stages. Filter efficiency is 99.99% @ .01 microns. A built-in carbon monoxide monitor operates on 9-volt DC, dual 8 – 16 volt DC or 115 VAC for continuous detection. An external alarm and light signals the worker of high CO content. Point-of-Attachment (POA) boxes can extend respirator usage beyond 300 feet. All Breather Box™ models are designed to be used in the closed position to prevent internal contamination.

List Price $1,650

Sale Price: 20% off – $1,320.

**Will extend 20% discount to all Air System and Bullard items sold on order with breather box.
***Hurry Offer ends August 31, 2011.

Contact the Demilec USA Parts and Equipment Division at (877) 336-4532 to purchase one today!

Desiccant cartridges are extremely important to help prevent moisture from entering the A-Side Isocyanate drum as well as the recirculation line (*if applicable) on the Iso side. These 10” canisters feature a small indicator window that lets you see when the cartridge should be replaced. In the indicator window, you will see small blue colored rocks that will eventually turn pink.

Once these rocks have turned completely pink, it’s time to replace it. This canister is inexpensive and can save you a lot of time and trouble such as crystallization (hardening of Iso) due to moisture.

The desiccant cartridge can be wall mounted or drum mounted. DEMILEC USA sells retro fit kits that can accommodate both set-ups. Due to the hot climate during our summer season, you may have exceptionally high humidity levels causing you to replace them more frequent than usual. If you have any questions or need assistance ordering, please inquire within.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

At times, workers may be required to work in hot environments for long periods.When the human body’s unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur and may result in death. OSHA has put out a fact sheet which provides information to employers on measures they should take to prevent worker illnesses and death
caused by heat stress.

For any questions related to Jobsite Safety, please contact your local Technical Service Representative at (817) 640-4900.

Arlington, TX, June 30, 2011–

For more information on product application, please contact Western Spray Foam at www.westernsprayfoam.com or by phone at (503) 661-3645.

The Water House is an Earth Advantage®-certified Platinum level and Energy Star®-certified house, plus energy performance features are found from the slab insulation to the Ecoasis solar reflective roof shingles. Throughout the yearlong showcase, the Water House will also be measured for efficiency with an Energy Performance score through the Energy Trust of Oregon – like a mile-per gallon (MPG) carbon rating for the home.

For more information on the Water House, please visit www.portlandonline.com/water/waterhouse.

“We happily participate in these kind of projects because they give consumers an important education about the types of designs and materials they can use to make their homes more energy efficient,” said Dave Lall, chief executive officer (CEO) of DEMILEC (USA) LLC.®. “In the long run, consumers and builders will develop a better understanding of the outstanding value that spray foam insulation offers and why our products are industry leaders.”

Heatlok Soy 200 being applied to a building.

Demilec has been a pioneer of the spray foam industry for over a quarter of a century.  Year after year, we have consistently developed spray foam insulation products to meet the growing demand for energy efficiency.  Demilec (USA)’s SEALECTION® 500, SEALECTION Agribalance®, HEATLOK SOY®, HEATLOK SOY® 200, and Specialty Products are all manufactured in the United States.  Our manufacturing facilities in Arlington, Texas have been growing and providing jobs for the economy as we continue to develop products that decrease the demand for fossil fuels nationally and internationally.

Demand for Demilec (USA)’s spray foam insulation products is growing in many regions of the world by providing high R-values, creating an air-seal and utilizing some of the highest recycled and renewable contents commercially available.  HEATLOK SOY closed cell spray foam insulation, for example, kept over 12,000,000 plastic bottles from going into our landfills and turned the recycled content into energy saving spray foam insulation instead.  Our SEALECTION open cell spray foam insulation products use water as the sole blowing agent.  SEALECTION Agribalance and HEATLOK SOY products have some of the highest renewable (bio-based) contents in use today.

While creating the best spray foam insulation available is our main focus, our Specialty Products division has been manufacturing over 200 different polyurethane products for industries, OEM (Original Equipment Mfg) and other manufacturers.

DEMILEC (USA) would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding as we adopt a new operating system and relocate to our expanded location.

As you may know, DEMILEC (USA) experienced unforeseen challenges this last quarter after implementing our new operating systems, including problems with invoicing and logistics.

We would like to assure you that we are working diligently to complete this operating system that will do more than just meet your needs for both this year and the years to come. Please be patient during these growing pains, which we anticipate to be over soon.

As always, our goal is to provide superior customer service and innovative product technology. We are steadily working toward that goal and look forward to a bright future together. At DEMILEC (USA), we know that you are the highest priority we have. Please continue to contact us with any concerns you may have. Again, thank you for your continued support as well as your patience through this process.

Sincerely,

Awal “Dave” Lall
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
DEMILEC (USA) LLC

Concerns of fire on the jobsite is everyone’s business. We at DEMILEC (USA) would like to reduce the chance of accidental fires on the jobsite. Please take the time to review the documents below and share them with your team of applicators.

Six Steps of Fire Safety

Hot Work Caution Poster

FIRE WARNING

HEATLOK SOY & HEATLOK Product Lines
The combination of the “A” and “B” Components of the rigid spray foam products (HEATLOK and HEATLOK SOY Product lines) creates a chemical reaction that produces heat. Applicators should limit the application of all HEATLOK and HEATLOK SOY products to no more than a thickness of 2 inches per pass (after expansion) to avoid fire hazards (including spontaneous combustion) resulting from excessive heat generation. If subsequent passes are needed, applicators should wait a sufficient time (at least 20 minutes) to allow any reaction heat to dissipate from the prio application, before attempting to reapply the product again.

Processing HEATLOK SOY and HEATLOK products

For any questions related to Fire Safety or the proper processing of HEATLOK or HEATLOK SOY products, please contact your local Technical Service Representative at (817) 640-4900.

Checking the Fusion Gun Filters

Tech Tip: Make sure to check the fusion gun A-side and B-side filters before or after every new set of chemical.
If filters are not checked regularly, the gun will start to spray off-ratio and likely cause the proportioner to get an E-24 alarm that tells the Reactor to shut down because of the imbalance in pressure.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

HEATLOK SOY 200 Named Remodelers Choice 100 by Qualified Remodeler Magazine

DEMILEC’s HEATLOK SOY 200 closed-cell spray foam insulation is showcased in Qualified Remodeler magazine’s annual list of trend-setting, innovative products in the residential building industry. The 2011 Remodelers’ Choice 100 features the most requested products shown in the publication over the past twelve months.

HEATLOK SOY 200 is DEMILEC’s newest closed cell spray foam insulation and has recently received it’s ICC ES Report # 3210 making it the closed-cell insulation of choice among builders and homeowners nation-wide.

Remember to check the condition of the Throat Seal Liquid (TSL) in the ISO wet cup flush reservoir on a daily basis. Also check the condition of the TSL on the felt wipers of the B-side packing nut.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com.

DEMILEC (USA)’s line of spray foam insulation products, SEALECTION® 500, SEALECTION Agribalance®, HEATLOK SOY® and HEATLOK SOY® 200 have all been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center’s Green Approved Product program.  This means the spray foam insulation products manufactured by DEMILEC (USA) are eligible to earn points toward certification of a given project under the National Green Building Standard™.

Green Approved Products can help builders, architects, designers and specifiers more easily achieve green certification for their single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and remodeling projects.  It is awarded to manufacturers who provide appropriate third-party evidence that their products meet the criteria for use in buildings certified to the National Green Building Standard™.

“This program is a great way to guide builders, architects, designers and specifiers to products that can contribute to National Green Building Standard points,” said Dave Lall, CEO, DEMILEC (USA) LLC.  ”We are pleased that DEMILEC (USA)’s energy efficient spray foam insulations have been designated as Green Approved Products.”

The National Green Building Standard does not define criteria for certifying products as “green.” It simply indicates that the products are eligible for earning points under the National Green Building Standard toward green certification of a building.  Specific products that have been approved by the program can be found at www.greenapprovedproducts.org. Or, locate the Green Scoring Tool at www.nahbgreen.org.

On Reactor E-Series Graco machines: An error code not commonly found in manuals is E31. This means the motor switch on the control board has shorted out and you need to replace the motor control board.

Below are the steps to trouble shoot an error code E31:

1. 1.) Remove machine from the power source.

1. 2.)  Thoroughly check the drive motor by removing the top motor brush and rotating the motor manually with the internal fan blade.

1. 3.)  Inspect the motor commutator all the way around for any evidence of burning or pocking.
2. 4.)  Continue to rotate the motor until you have completed one pump cycle, up and down to insure there is no mechanical interference in pump lower or gear drive system.

Note: The Reactor machines that have the large blue capacitor will have to have it verified for proper function as well.

If after confirming a good motor and a capacitor, and confirming the input power source is at the required voltage and phase, you will need to replace the motor control board.

As always read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest equipment manuals visit www.graco.com

Morgan Carter, owner of Spray Right, Inc. in Adkins, Texas, is the proud father of a two year old boy, Ty Morgan Carter, as well as, two newborns.  On February 18th, 2011, Lane Ryan Carter, a healthy baby boy, came into this world at 18 ½ inches, weighing 6 lbs., 10 ounces.  Preceding Lane Carter’s birth by almost a month, Morgan and wife Lindsay added a second spray foam rig to their growing family business with a gooseneck’s length of 32 feet and two Graco E-30 Reactors, ready to spray.

Before Morgan Carter founded Spray Right, Inc., in 2006, he attended Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas where he met future wife Lindsay Pollok.  Morgan majored in Kinesiology and was a left-handed pitcher for TLU’s Baseball Team, the Bulldogs.  Lindsay earned her degree in Education and currently teaches sixth grade Language Arts for Navarro Middle School in Geronimo, Texas.  The two married in June of 2005 shortly before Morgan heard about spray foam through his younger brother’s friend who worked for a local spray foam contractor in the San Antonio area.  After a little research, Morgan found DEMILEC (USA) and contacted former representative Michael Pierce. He learned of an upcoming Applicator Training Course scheduled for the following week in Arlington and signed up, never looking back.

“Always take pride in your work,” said Morgan’s father.  These words have instilled in Morgan a successful attitude and a remarkable discipline that has been carried throughout Spray Right, Inc.  From the beginning, Morgan enjoyed selling spray foam because “It provides significant improvements in energy efficiency and monthly savings that my customers can take to the bank.  This is a product that I can stand behind.”

Morgan took his new enterprise to the streets.  First in Austin, he swiftly picked up traction from homebuilders and homeowners alike.  He established a solid customer base and before long his reputation had spread to include San Antonio contracts and plenty of business along the I-35 corridor, embracing towns like New Braunfels and San Marcos.  Morgan could not have done this alone, but with the help of a few good men and one amazing woman the business quickly built steam.  Father-in-law Leroy Pollok aided Spray Right in getting off the ground with sales, production management, and by providing a vital hand in the assembly of their first rig. Foreman Terry Sluder has been a critical part of Morgan’s team since day one, and has performed every facet of the business.  Lead spray tech Roque Alvarado has earned his stripes as one of the most proficient sprayers in the business, putting in thousands of hours behind the gun, on jobsites around central Texas.  Finally, Morgan describes his most important team member and life partner, Lindsay Carter. “She has been the backbone of our business allowing us to grow and thrive to where we are now.”

A few notable jobs you will find on the Spray Right resume’ include a 40,000 ft² crawlspace; insulated, air sealed, and protected from moisture with Demilec’s 2 lb closed-cell product Heatlok Soy 200 on a new Samsung Electronics facility in San Antonio.  Another project is a 30,000 ft² food distribution warehouse for HEB grocery stores where Morgan and his crew applied 5.5 inches of Demilec’s 0.5 lb open-cell Sealection 500 to the underside of the metal roof assembly.  Today this application protects millions of dollars of food inventory from spoiling in the hot Texas sun.  Spray Right was also called to insulate a noteworthy residential build in Blanco, Texas, where they installed both Sealection 500 and Heatlok Soy 200 on a house measuring over 21,000 ft².
Experience, integrity, workmanship, and the right people for the job are a few characteristics that have put Spray Right Inc. at the forefront of the spray foam industry in central and south Texas.  Now with a second rig and a new addition to the family, Spray Right is bigger than ever and on the look-out for even more opportunities to grow.

Arlington, TX, March 22, 2011 – HEATLOK SOY^®  200manufactured by DEMILEC (USA)LLC, received an evaluation report (ESR#3210) from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), providing evidence that the closed cell spray foam insulationmeets code requirements. Building officials, architects, contractors, specifiers, designers and others utilize the ICC-ES Evaluation Reports to provide a basis for using or approving HEATLOK SOY 200 in construction projects following the 2009 International Building Code^® (IBC), 2009 International Residential Code^® (IRC) and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code^® (IECC).

ICC-ES President Mark Johnson explains why ICC-ES Evaluation Reports are so important. “DEMILEC (USA) can now reference the evaluation report to ensure building officials and the building industry that the product meets I-Code requirements,” Johnson said. “Building departments have a long history of using evaluation reports, and ICC-ES operates as a technical resourcefor the building department. Final approval of building products is always in the hands of the local regulatory agency.”

ICC-ES thoroughly examined DEMILEC (USA)’s product information, test reports, calculations, quality control methods and other factors to ensure the product is code compliant.“DEMILEC (USA) is pleased to have HEATLOK SOY 200 spray foam insulation be recognized by ICC-ES as code compliant,” said Dave Lall, Chief Executive Officer of DEMILEC (USA) LLC. “The new ESR 3210 also shows that HEATLOK SOY 200 meets AC377 Appendix X criteria, and can be left uncovered in attics and crawlspaces without an ignition barrier or intumescent coating when the attic is not used for storage.” With an industry leading aged R-Value of 7.4 at one inch, Demilec (USA) LLC is confident that HEATLOK SOY 200 will become the industry standard when It comes to high performance closed cell polyurethane foam insulation.

ICC-ES is the United States’ leading source of technical information on building products and building technology for code compliance. A nonprofit, public-benefit corporation, ICC-ES performs technical evaluations of building products, components, methods and materials. The evaluation process culminates with the issuance of reports on compliance with the major U.S. building codes, which are available at www.icc-es.org.

ICC-ES is a subsidiary of the International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention that develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

Because of the high intumescent solid content of the Blazelok product line it is very important to make sure and remove all the filters from the airless sprayer and the spray gun.

Airless Sprayer with Screen Removed

Airless Sprayer with Screen

For this month’s Contractor Spotlight, we are highlighting Bill Clark of Spray Foam Energy Solutions out of Sacramento, California. Spray Foam Energy Solutions has been in business since 2004 and serves the California and Nevada areas.

Demilec: Why did you get into spray foam Bill?

The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit was amended and extended through December 2011 by the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. On January 1, 2011 several characteristics of the credit changed from their 2010 form. Most significantly, the cap claim was reduced from $1,500 to $500. The cap is on the total amount of credits a homeowner may claim between 2006 and 2011. If a homeowner has already claimed $500 or more in credit through this allowance, they will be unable to claim new credits or improvements made during 2011.

This credit applies to energy efficiency improvements in the building envelope of existing homes. Installation costs are not included in the tax credit, only the product costs. Be prepared to separate the costs on the receipt for the homeowner.

Efficiency improvements or equipment must serve a dwelling in the United States that is owned and used by the taxpayer as a primary residence. The maximum tax credit for all improvements made in 2011 is $500. The cap includes tax credits for any improvements made in 2006-2010. If a taxpayer claimed $500 or more of these tax credits in any previous year, any purchases made in 2011 will be ineligible for a tax credit.

Homeowners need to hang on to their receipt for the installation of DEMILEC (USA) Spray Foam Insulation and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. When they file their 2011 taxes, the homeowner should submit IRS Form 5695 (line 52: the residential energy tax credit), the receipt and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement with their tax return.

DEMILEC (USA) LLC® is thrilled to announce our partnership with Campbell Insurance Agency to offer high quality, affordable insurance exclusively to Demilec authorized contractors. Within the first two weeks of the program, eight contractors have already saved thousands by switching to InsurSeal insurance!

One contractor, Eric Comfort of Comfort Saver Foam Insulation, has seen his policy rate drop by $1000 for commercial auto, $300 for general liability and $500 for inland marine (rig and equipment). He was happy to discover that InsurSeal will provide builders with a Waiver of Subrogation at no additional cost, a service that his previous insurance charged $150 per waiver for. He and his wife also found Campbell Insurance Agency to be very friendly and helpful.

With such a positive initial reaction, we are extremely excited about the InsurSeal program and are eager to see just how much money we can save our customers. Here is a highlight of some of the features that will make InsurSeal a hit with your company:

• Reduced Annual Premiums
• Replacement or Rental Rigs provided in the event of an accident Within 72 Hours!
• Covers nearly all aspects of your business including: General Liability (including overspray!), Property, Your Rig and Equipment, Business Auto, Workers Compensation, Pollution and Umbrella coverage in the event of a lawsuit!
• Policies custom tailored to YOU and YOUR Spray Foam Business
• An Exclusive Risk Pool Available ONLY to Demilec Authorized Contractors enrolled in the InSEAL-Right program

The savings alone should be enough to convince you, but we encourage you to give Kirk and Craig Campbell with Campbell Insurance Agency a call and find out more about InsurSeal. This is the best insurance policy available for spray foam insulation contractors at any price.   You simply cannot afford to be underinsured and Demilec USA has made it easy for you to get the right insurance at the right price. For more information about InsurSeal insurance please call Craig and Kirk Campbell at 1(888)893-6787 or contact your local Demilec Representative.

“The new building will allow DEMILEC (USA) to boost production to handle product demand, which has grown substantially.” said Dave Lall, Vice President and General Manager, DEMILEC (USA) LLC. “We expect demand to grow at an even faster rate as the economy improves and recognition of the importance of energy efficient products increases.”

DEMILEC (USA) LLC^® has begun retrofit work on the new building, which is expected to be completed in 2012. Plans for the new building include increased office, warehouse and production space along with a state-of-the art spray foam training facility for DEMILEC (USA)’ Authorized Contractors.

The new building is located at 3315 E. Division Street, which is less than half a mile from DEMILEC (USA)’s existing headquarters, which has been located at 2925 Galleria Drive, in Arlington, Texas since 2002.

Remember, when experiencing imbalanced pressures such as an error code E-24, focus on what is on the wall. Is it more A-side chemical, or B-Side chemical? Go back to the machine and check your gauges to determine whether we have a restriction or cavitation. This will help you eliminate one side completely, and allow you to decipher whether it is from the machine back to the supply system, or from the machine back towards the gun.

Iso Rich Foam	Resin Rich Foam
Too much Iso, brown and crispy, not enough rise	Too much rise, creamy and sticky

We here at DEMILEC (USA) LLC® are extremely excited about the work being done by our Authorized Contractors out in the field. As a testament to this excitement, we would like to highlight some of our contractors out there that are doing extraordinary work in the field of spray foam insulation, featuring Demilec products. This month, we are highlighting Daren Degner of DEK Insulation who operates of Lorena, Texas, just south of Waco. Daren has been in the spray foam business for five years and is currently running four spray foam rigs. He has been spraying Demilec products since his business began and currently uses both SEALECTION 500® and HEATLOK SOY 200®.

Demilec: Thank you for taking the time for an interview today Daren. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into the spray foam insulation business?

Daren: Well I was a district sales manager for Coca-Cola. My business partner Kevin’s dad’s house was getting foamed so we went over and watched it. It took this guy a month to foam the house and he was charging him $27,000. We figured it should have been a 4 or 5 day job. My business partner had been in the family business doing construction and we were both burnt out and wanted to do something different. And here we are today.

Demilec: What are some of the projects that you have completed that you are especially proud of?

Daren: Our projects at Fort Hood have been huge for us.  We have done a lot of big buildings there, in both SEALECTION 500 and HEATLOK 200.  Also, the McLennan Community College Emergency Services Building which is a very large building here in Waco that we did was great. It was done entirely in SEALECTION 500®. We also have the VA hospital in Waco coming up soon.

Demilec: What was your experience like working for the US Government when you were doing Fort Hood? How did you secure that job and how did it go?

Daren: We secured the job by reputation. They had some other companies working for them in the past with which they had some issues. Those issues with the other companies got our foot in the door. It’s a different ballgame out there. There are a lot of things that you can normally control that you can’t when you are working for the government. A lot of times it can get under your skin, but you just have to make it work.

Demilec: What do you feel is the future of spray foam?

Daren: It’s going to get larger, by far. I think that we are just now entering the growing phase of spray foam. The only thing I see right now as one of the older applicators is new contractors out there starting to really price cut the foam. The price of materials isn’t going down, the price of labor isn’t going down, insurance definitely isn’t going down and they’re still trying to price cut this stuff! A lot of these guys don’t seem to understand that ten times zero is still zero. Nobody can live off of zero. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, sell their service and sell their product.

Demilec: How important do you feel that quality is?

Daren: People use us because of the quality of our product, our timeliness, and our clean up. Our product is pretty and it’s never off-ratio. We seal everything up tight with no cracks left open. We offer people mechanical consultations throughout the building phase of the house or building. We counsel the builder and the general contractor about HVAC sizing to prevent humidity issues. When we leave a place, we leave it immaculate. When we say we will be there Wednesday, we show up on Wednesday. People will pay 20% more for timely, clean service.

Demilec: Ok one more question Daren. How would you compare Demilec to other spray foam products that you have used?

Daren: Let me put it like this. We have sprayed lots of different products. Usually we buy a truckload at a time. The last time we bought a truckload of somebody else’s product, we sprayed about 8 sets and made them come back and pick up the other 32 sets. It had red fuzz in it. Somebody left a shop rag in one of the mixing hoppers and it contaminated hundreds of sets. They sent us a replacement truckload of product that they guaranteed was good. About 10 sets in, we were sending it back because the insides of the drums were rusting. They didn’t put a coating on the inside of the drums and they developed a corrosive build up that choked up our equipment. At that point we were done. SEALECTION 500 is the easiest product to apply. There is not a better applying product out there. It’s just a clean product. If you are having a problem, it’s most likely a problem with your applicators.    All foam has an odor when it’s being applied, but with Demilec that odor goes away when it dries. We’ve had other products that smelled like clay. I can walk in some of those homes after 5 years and I still smell that odor. That’s why I stay with Demilec.

Demilec: Well we are definitely glad to have you as a customer Daren and we look forward to having you around for many years to come. Thank you for your time.

With a total of over 500 Approved Applicators trained in 2010, DEMILEC (USA) is looking forward to 2011 with our new and improved Training Program. DEMILEC (USA) has ramped up our training program to cover everything from the set up of a spray foam business all the way to the safe use and handling of our spray foam insulation products.

Overall, DEMILEC (USA)’s training program was well received by last year’s attendees and we are looking forward to the February Training Courses scheduled for February 16-19, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. For more information or to sign up, visit www.DemilecUSA.com or call (877) DEMILEC (336-4532).

What a tremendous time in Orlando. The International Builders’ Show was a huge success with a new and refreshing energy in the air. The largest residential construction industry trade show, The International Builders Show, just wrapped up on January 15, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The National Association of Home Builders, which owns and operates the show, says attendance hit ­­­­­­­more than 47,000. This was not near the record of 110,000, but all-things-considered, it was a good turnout.

DEMILEC (USA) exhibited both indoors at booth W650 and outdoors at booth P4. All together over 500 attendees stopped by our booths to request more information about DEMILEC (USA) and our spray foam insulation products. This was a 5% increase over the traffic from last year’s show, proving that the need for DEMILEC’s energy efficient spray foam insulation is on the rise.

Inside, DEMILEC (USA) showcased its new HEATLOK SOY® 200, closed-cell spray foam insulation along with our existing spray foam insulation products, HEATLOK SOY®, SEALECTION® 500 and SEALECTION Agribalance®. Outside, DEMILEC (USA) conducted live demonstrations of our spray foam insulation products and conducted tours of our fully equipped B3M line of Spray Foam Rigs.

Overall, The 2011 International Builders Shwo was a huge success for DEMILEC (USA) and we are looking forward to the 2012 International Builders Shwo scheduled for February 8-11, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.