The EPS Molders Association is pleased to announce the release of its new promotions campaign for architects and specifiers "EPS Just Makes Sense." This brochure provides an overview of expanded polystyrene building products, demonstrates its key performance attributes and illustrates both residential and commercial building projects.

EPSMA chose several high profile examples such as the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas and Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. to highlight the caliber of end use applications in which EPS is selected. The brochure touches on R-value stability, energy efficiency and moisture absorption and includes data from the ASTM C578 reference tables.

This brochure is the first in a series being developed by EPSMA. In 2001, we will produce 3-4 technical bulletins on specific performance issues and one on geofoam.

Policy 83 Sets Precedence for In-Service R-Values August 2001

The Building and Safety Division of the Municipality of Anchorage released Policy 83, "Insulation - Maximum R-Values", in February 21, 2001. It established a new benchmark in R-value requirements for foam insulation. City building officials will no longer accept the widely used 180-day conditioned R-value figures for major rigid foam insulation materials. This action confirms that criteria to measure and compare R-value performance developed in the early 1970's is now outdated. Local expanded polystyrene manufacturers lobbied buildings officials to make this implementation. "The EPS industry presented an impressive amount of background information and technical substantiation that convinced us there would be a benefit in making this change," cited Pamela Ronning, Plan Review Engineer, Building and Safety Division of the Municipality of Anchorage.

For the past twenty or more years, this has been an on-going debate. Back in 1985, the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) recommended the establishment of an interim in-service resistance R-value for urethane and isocyanurate roofing insulations due to the thermal drift experienced in these materials developed a position paper. And then in 1987, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) joined the MRCA announcing an identical recommendation to designers, users and other affected parties to utilize an R-value of 5.6 per inch of foam thickness as a reasonable guide when calculating thermal resistance of polyiscyanurate and polyurethane insulation boards over their normal life in a roofing system.

Recently, this debate has been played out on the federal level. Back in November 1999, the Federal Trade Commission announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation due to new advancements in technology and the need to clarify and streamline the Rule's requirements. A final notice for public comment is expected to be announced by the end of 2001.

Expanded polystyrene is manufactured using pentane as the primarily blowing agent. It does not experience thermal drift, so the R-value of EPS insulation will remain stable throughout the life of the structure.

For additional information on expanded polystyrene and Policy 83 contact the EPS Molders Association at 800-607-3772.