Spray Foam Magazine – Late Summer 2021 – Changes in pest control professions (PMPs) practices have impacted the ability to isolate crawler passages with SPF in regions with high termite infestation – essentially affecting all wooden buildings in the southern United States. Most termite bonds do not allow homeowners to make certain home changes. PMPs have started canceling termite bonds after homeowners installed SPF insulation to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. This undermines energy efficiency and leaves consumers vulnerable to moisture problems, rot and could result in less comfortable homes.
Sweet Home Alabama
In late 2016, PMPs in Alabama began voiding termite guarantees in homes with SPF because they cannot perform annual visual inspections behind SPF, as required in their guarantee programs. The SPF industry responded with guidelines suggesting modified SPF applications and alternative methods for termite detection including infrared cameras and acoustic emission devices. PMPs ditched these means of inspection in favor of simpler, less expensive visual inspection methods, despite their 25-30% detection rate.
Georgia in my head
At the end of 2019, this problem reappeared in Georgia. The Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission, a PMP-led state agency, has submitted a code change proposal to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs that removes the permanently installed insulation on the curb and rocker panel and requires the use of a removable, air-permeable fiberglass batt with caulking compound connected.
The GSPCC proposal will have a negative impact on consumers. The FFI is a major source of air ingress and must be addressed to meet the airtightness requirements of current energy regulations. Sealing the FFI protects homeowners from energy loss, moisture ingress, etc. Sealing this area with caulk is impractical. In addition, the GSPCC proposal calls for the removal and replacement of fiberglass mats during the termite inspection. Continuing to remove the cotton wool insulation will drastically reduce the R-value.
SPFA and SFC have developed an alternative code change proposal that allows two options for isolating crawl spaces. The first option includes the GSPCC proposal. The second, mainly applicable to new homes, requires the use of treated wood, termite shields, and exposing the side of the rocker panel for visual inspection. Several experts, including Dr. Joe Lstiburek and the Building Performance Institute, agree on the position of the SPF industry.
The SPF industry proposal was not approved by the GDCA’s Energy, Housing and Building Change Subcommittee and Code Advisory Board. Instead, they approved the GSPCC proposal and it will be aired for public comment before a final vote in September.
Down the street
Without resistance, the situation in Georgia could eliminate SPF in encapsulated crawl spaces in other states or even in national model building regulations. It may also set a precedent for future restrictions on the use of SPF in other locations in wooden buildings. To learn more about termites and SPF, check out the industry guidelines here: www.sprayfoam.org/compatible
Building and energy codes should not be used to block market access for SPF in a way that negatively impacts homeowners. The SPF industry will continue to monitor these code developments through SPFA and SFC. At certain points in the process, we may need to mobilize contractors and their customers to counter these types of code changes. To join our networking for help in this groundbreaking effort, please contact Rick Duncan (rickduncan@sprayfoam.org). SPFA membership is not required.
