1. (a) Limitation on Sale. Urea formaldehyde foam is unsafe for use as insulation. Sale within the State of California of urea formaldehyde foam insulation is prohibited.

2. (b) Exemption. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a manufacturer of the primary components of urea formaldehyde foam insulation may apply for certification as provided in Section 1555 of this article. Such certification statement shall indicate compliance with the following standards:

   1. (1) Composition. The material shall consist of cellular plastic generated in a continuous stream by mixing the components which are a urea formaldehyde resin, air, and a foaming agent. The material shall be suitable for filling closed cavities through small holes and suitable also for filling open cavities by trowelling during foaming prior to enclosure.
   2. (2) Thermal Performance. The effective thermal performance, incorporating a derating value, shall be determined according to the method described in 42 Fed. Reg. pages 55143-55148.

   3. (3) Resistance to Combustion. Surface burning characteristics shall be determined according to the ANSI/ASTM E84-79, and shall not exceed the following values:

      Flame spread

      25

      Smoke developed

      450

      Test specimens shall be aged for 45 days at 70° ± 5° and 35 to 40 percent relative humidity before testing.

   4. (4) Free Formaldehyde Content of Dry Foam. The free formaldehyde content of the dry foam shall be less than 0.01 percent formaldehyde by weight when tested as specified in paragraph (f)(8), published in 45 Fed. Reg. page 63801, except that the specimens to be tested shall also be aged for 56 days at 24 ± 5°C (75 ± 10°F) and 50 ± 10 percent relative humidity in an uncovered beaker.
   5. (5) Corrosiveness. The material shall be tested and meet the criteria for corrosiveness as specified in 45 Fed. Reg. pages 63786-63810.
   6. (6) Density. The material shall be tested and meet the criteria for density as specified in 45 Fed. Reg. pages 63786-63810.
   7. (7) Shrinkage. The material shall be tested and meet the criteria for shrinkage as specified in 45 Fed. Reg. pages 63786-63810, except that the material shall not shrink more than 2.0 percent in any direction.
   8. (8) Volume Resistivity. The material shall be tested and meet the criteria for volume resistivity as specified in 45 Fed. Reg. 63786-63810.
   9. (9) Identification. Resin and foaming agent containers shall be marked with conditions of proper storage and the derated R-value and shrinkage of the prepared foam as certified by the manufacturer.

   10. (10) Safety Information. Installers of urea formaldehyde foam insulation shall present the following safety notice to the purchasers of the foam prior to the signing of the contract for installation. The notice shall be printed in a minimum of 8-point type size. One copy of the notice signed by the purchaser shall be immediately given to the purchaser, one copy shall be retained by the installer, and one copy shall be mailed by the installer to the Executive Director of the Energy Commission within 48 hours after installation of the insulation is completed.

       Manufacturers shall make all sales of urea foam insulation components expressly subject to the application restrictions listed in the notice described in the following figure (“Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Safety Notice”).

       UREA FORMALDEHYE FORM INSULATION SAFETY NOTICE

       The Federal Panel on Formaldehyde has concluded that formaldehyde should be presumed to pose a carcinogenic (cancer) risk for humans. Formaldehyde gas may also cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, skin irritation, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. People with respiratory problems or allergies may suffer more serious reactions, especially people allergic to formaldehyde. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not be exposed to this product.

       The symptoms may appear immediately, or not until months after installation.

       This product may release formaldehyde gas into your home or building over a long period of time. In some instances the formaldehyde gas cannot be controlled by ventilation or other means. Application of this product is restricted to exterior sidewalls in both residential and commercial/industrial buildings. A four mil thickness plastic polyethylene vapor barrier, or equivalent plastic sheeting vapor barrier, shall be installed between the urea formaldehyde foam insulation and the interior space of the home or building in all applications.

       If you have health concerns, call your doctor. Also, call the installer or manufacturer of the material.

       (PLEASE PRINT OR WRITE LEGIBLY)

       PURCHASER NAME OR NAMES

       PURCHASER ADDRESS______________________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________________________________ ZIP

       PURCHASERS PHONE NUMBER Home ( ) __________________________________________________ Work ( )

       LOCATION OF INSTALLATION IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE

       LOCATION ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________________________________ ZIP

       The Purchaser acknowledges he or she has read and understands this notice.

       Signed X __________________________________________________ Date ______________________________

       Signed X __________________________________________________ Date ______________________________

       THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE INSTALLING CONTRACTOR

       CONTRACTOR'S NAME

       CONTRACTOR'S ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________________________________ ZIP

       CONTRACTOR'S STATE LICENSE NUMBER

       NAME OF MANUFACTURER

       MANUFACTURER'S ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________________________________ ZIP

       MANUFACTURER'S PHONE NUMBER ( )

       TEMPERATURE OF OUTSIDE AIR AT START OF INSTALLATION ____________________ °F

       BATCH NUMBER

       EXPIRATION DATE

       TEMPERATURE (START OF INSTALLATION)

       RESIN

       °F

       FOAMING AGENT

       °F

       STEPS THE INSTALLING CONTRACTOR MUST FOLLOW

3. 1. The installing contractor is responsible for mailing this completed notice to the following address within 48 hours after completion of installation. Mail one copy to:

   EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MS #39

   CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION

   1516 NINTH STREET

   SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

4. 2. Give one copy to the Purchaser.
5. 3. The installing contractor shall keep one copy of this completed notice for a period of not less than three years.
6. (c) Severability of Provisions. If any provision of Section 1553(a) or 1553(b), or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, the remaining provisions, or the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

Note: Authority cited: Section 25911, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 25911, Public Resources Code.

History

1. Amendment of subsection (a)(9) filed 4-2-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 14).

2. Editorial correction of subsection designations with subsection (l)(4) (Register 79, No. 17).

3. Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).

4. New subsection (m)(2)(J) filed 9-11-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 37).

5. Editorial correction of subsection (k)(3)(B) filed 1-13-82 (Register 82, No. 3).

6. Amendment of subsections (a)(5) and (a)(8) filed 5-5-82; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 82, No. 19).

7. Editorial correction of subsection (m) printing error (Register 82, No. 44).

8. Change without regulatory effect amending section heading, section and Note filed 4-10-96 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 96, No. 15).