Author Topic: Identifying PU Foams  (Read 3387 times)

Offline Stobswellpond

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Identifying PU Foams
« on: June 02, 2023, 09:58:19 PM »
I have received a FRA from an assessor who has highlighted in a building that is 14 years old the the application of PU foam may not have been correctly used, and that by contacting a passive fire protection installer they should be able to verify if the PU foam has been correctly used. Do you think that by looking at a foam you can verify the type and manufacturer and thus verify if it has been used correctly?

Offline AnthonyB

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Re: Identifying PU Foams
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2023, 08:29:58 PM »
It's very difficult as there is no standard identification method - whilst several manufacturer's use pink dye, some use green or blue and I've found some that are yellow just like non FR foams.

Whilst not infallible from the different manufacturer evidence I've seen over the years if it's aerosol can type expanding foam then generally if it's being used for anything other than very small linear gaps (not penetrations to said gaps) and narrow gaps to door frames (often capped to 10mm with mastic) then there's a very good chance it is an incorrect use that will fail spectacularly early (as graphically illustrated in the ASFP video).

Gun applied cartridge single & 2 pack non aerosol 'foams' such as specialist products from Hilti, Mulcol and others generally have a much wider scope of use including service penetrations and much larger holes and visually look quite different.

Anthony Buck
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