This AIA approved presentation will provide important information relating to fire protective coatings and coverings for spray polyurethane foam (SPF) installed in residential and commercial buildings. Referencing key sections of the International Residential Code and International Building Code, it will define a thermal barrier including prescriptive thermal barriers as well as fire testing testing requirements for alternative assemblies. It will also define prescriptive ignition barriers and discuss fire testing requirements for alternatives. Examples of code-compliant thermal and ignition barrier requirements in residential and commercial buildings will be discussed, along with means to inspect and verify installation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn Why Codes Require Thermal or Ignition Barriers
2. Understand What a Thermal Barrier Is and Why They are Needed
3. Understand What an Ignition Barrier Is
4. Learn about Fire Testing Methods, Inspection & Verification, and Application Examples per Model Building Code

Richard S. Duncan, Ph.D., P.E.

Executive and Technical Director, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

Rick has served as Executive Director of SPFA since 2020,  and as Technical Director since 2008.  He has Prior to joining SPFA, he was the Senior Marketing Manager for Honeywell’s Spray Foam Insulation business from 2006 to 2008. From 1997 to 2006, he was the Global Program Director for CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain Insulation’s New Materials and Applications Portfolio.   He has led numerous research programs and has written more than 30 papers and articles for the SPF industry. From 1989 to 1997 he was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bucknell University.  He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics from The Pennsylvania State University, MSME from Bucknell and a BSME from the University of Maryland.  Rick is a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania.