FTC To Announce Final Notice of Proposed Ruling for R-Value Rule – July 2003

Geofoam Comes Of Age - May 2003

EPSMA Partners with CMD First Source  October 2002

The EPS Molders Association is pleased to announce its new partnership with CMD First Source. EPSMA is now listed online in the E-Catalog:  (www.cmdfirstsource.com) and in its CSI's ManuSpec. This is a proprietary specification tool to use expanded polystyrene (EPS) building and construction products. The generic EPS specification can be found under Division 7 - Thermal/Moisture Protection. Specifiers can download, insert and edit product specs directly into project specifications.

By providing immediately useful information on these topics, participation in CMD First Source will address the particular needs of its audiences while highlighting the different applications of EPS. Presented in an accessible format, this information will translate into time and energy savings for the target audiences, making their jobs easier.

CMD First Source Exchange is positioned as an interactive tool when developing specifications for projects. CMD First Source provides preliminary information, proprietary specifications, technical details and manufacturer catalogs in addition to building code library, project leads, directory of US architectural firms, RS Means Cost Calculator and construction news. The site has over 185,000 registered users.

The EPS Molders Association represents expanded polystyrene manufacturers throughout the US and Canada. For more information on EPS building and construction products, please call 800-607-3772 or go to www.epsmolders.org.
 

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 This action confirms that criteria to measure and compare R-value performance developed in the early 1970's is now outdated.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.

EPS Just Makes Sense April 2001

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.

EPSMA Joins Energy Star ® September 2000

To expand its efforts in educating homeowners and homebuilders on the benefits of energy efficient and conscientious building practices, EPS Molders Association (EPSMA) recently joined the Energy Star® Homes Program. As an Ally of the Homes Program, EPSMA and its members are committed to providing environmental leadership, in addition to promoting the use of insulation to help improve home comfort, reduce energy usage and air pollution, provide a sustainable structure and reduce negative impacts on the environment.

EPS insulation provides an Energy Star® qualified home with consistent performance properties needed to exceed the Model Energy Code. This translates into increased energy efficiencies and lower maintenance costs over the life of the structure. It assists in the conservation of energy heating and cooling costs by reducing the use of fossil fuels and preventing carbon dioxide emissions that may add to the decrease of the ozone layer.

Over 15 members of the EPS Molders Association have demonstrated their support by signing on with the Energy Star® Homes and Insulation Labeling Programs. "Our industry is committed to working with the Energy Star® Homes Programs to help emphasize the benefits of installing the proper insulation", commented Betsy Steiner, executive director of EPSMA. "By providing accurate, up-to-date information to the consumer and homebuilder, they are able to make a well-informed and educated decision on how to construct an energy-efficient home".

Research results have supported the fact that EPS insulation is a highly energy efficient building material. In 1999, NAHB Research Center released results of a twelve-month study indicating a 20% increase in energy efficiency in a home constructed with expanded polystyrene insulated concrete forms as compared to an identical wood-frame house. They attributed this difference to the higher R-value of ICFs and the continuous insulation at the slab.

For additional information on EPS construction applications, contact the EPS Molders Association at 800-607-3772.

Insulation Makers Urge FTC To Level Playing Field - November 1999
Outdated R-Value Rules 'Penalize Consumers'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Producers of expanded polystyrene insulation have urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to "level the playing field" by requiring greater disclosure of the long-term R-value of insulation products.

The Expanded Polystyrene Molders Association (EPSMA), a Washington-DC based trade group, pressed the FTC to put consumers first by compelling insulation manufacturers to divulge the true, aged R-value of their products. Simple changes in existing FTC rules would enable consumers to make better-informed choices that would reap huge savings in heating and cooling costs over the life span of their homes, according to EPSMA.

R-value represents the ability of a product to resist heat flow. Since current labeling and advertising rules do not require disclosure of the loss of R-value over the life of insulation products, the FTC recently issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to gather input on potential changes to the existing testing and labeling requirements for cellular plastic insulation. Since consumers expect advertised R-values to remain constant, the FTC is responding to concerns that some R-value advertising is misleading.

The FTC reportedly has received over 40 comments. Numerous industry groups and companies have proposed more rigorous testing and disclosure of the loss of R-value for polyurethane, polyisocyanurate and extruded polystyrene insulation products. FTC staff attorneys will summarize the comments, and then the five commissioners will publish a final notice of proposed rulemaking, with the final rules expected late this year.