RPSA looks to revise guidance on spray foam insulation

A group of industry stakeholders are working to provide clarity to owners of homes with spray foam insulation, some of whom are currently concerned about the ability to raise finance on their home.

The group, supported by the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA), includes spray foam manufacturers and installers, surveyors, valuers, lenders, heritage organisations and academics, is collaborating to standardise installation procedures and develop inspection protocols to help surveyors and lenders accurately assess the risk that could be caused to a roof due to poorly installed or inappropriate use of spray foam.

With fuel costs rising, homeowners are looking for ways to insulate their homes more efficiently. Global spray foam manufacturer, Huntsman Building Solutions, believe that spray foam has received an unfair representation by surveyors and others.

Elizabeth Lalli-Reese, Huntsman Building Solutions Global Vice President said: “We believe that the guidance issued by the RPSA in December 2021 was factually inaccurate creating unwarranted concern amongst homeowners and lenders and call for it to be retracted.

“Spray foam is a proven technology to making our homes more efficient and is a practical, sensible and safe option for homeowners. We welcome the opportunity to work with stakeholders throughout the industry to develop the new standards and protocols that will give all parties, including surveyors and lenders, the knowledge and confidence to accurately assess the quality of an installation.”

Responding, Alan Milstein, RPSA Chairman said: “We recognise the concerns raised by Huntsman and are encouraged by the positive way in which all parties have approached this initiative. So, we have agreed to retract our current guidance pending a full review.

“Our ambition is that we can republish it, based on the outcomes from the industry group, by Spring 2023 and provide our members with the detailed knowledge necessary to risk assess any spray foam installation.

“We know there are both good and bad installations but until now there has been no documented way to accurately differentiate one from another.” “In this way we expect to be able to offer lenders a more informed opinion and so enable them to review their rules which are currently restricting advances where spray foam is present.”

Huntsman Building Solutions will be launching a range of tools and training programmes to support surveyors in November. For further enquiries or to register your interest in training, contact: surveyors@huntsmanbuilds.com