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Expanding Foams

Expanding Foams

The versatile nature of Expanding Polyurethane Foam combined with increasingly fast track building methods have seen Foam usage grow significantly over recent years with several product variations now on offer. A brief review and explanation of the products now available and some of the important do's and don'ts associated with Foam usage is as follows:

Hand Held

'Hand Held' - sometimes called "straw foam" is the more common ready to use aerosol type where a simple applicator tube is screwed onto the valve at the top of the can. Conventional Hand Held Foams need to be used in a short time range and cannot be re-used after further storage Everbuild Options Fix & Fill Page 138.

Exact Gap

"Exact Gap" is a new concept in expanding foams from Everbuild, offering a foam with minimal expansion for precise filling of gaps, with less waste material to cut back afterwards and less chance of foam spilling out and falling onto surrounding substances. With the disposal of hazardous waste an increasing issue Exact Gap Foam offers the quality contractor a new solution..

Gun Grade

'Gun Grade' - also referred to as Gun Foam is a Foam that is formulated differently to Hand Held Foam in order to provide a higher extrusion rate (i.e faster) and is used by screwing a specialised gun onto the screw thread. Gun Foams are ideal for regular trade use as the gun can be left on the can and the Foam re-used. Everbuild Options: Gun Grade Page 138, B2 Firefoam Page 138

Longer Life / Re-Usable Foams

These are an upgraded version of the Hand Held type that use an all metal valve instead of the conventional rubber valve, this significantly extends shelf life (from 12 to 24 months) and enables the product to be re-used over a 2-3 month period. Everbuild Options: No Waste Foam Page 138

Fire Rated Foams

Normal Foams are usually classed as self extinguishing, i.e they will not support flames but offer no protection against it, more specialist Fire Rated Foams are now available (in both Hand and Gun Grades) that offer differing levels of Fire Retardency. Usage of these products are increasing rapidly to achieve Fire Ratings in applications such as around door frames, internal wall and ceiling gaps and pipe access openings. Fire Rated Foams must be tested to BS476 by an accredited testing house to be acceptable to specifiers and clerk of works.

Do's and Don't's

Always warm tins to room temperature before use. Do this by putting it in a bucket of warm water, do not warm with any sort of naked flame or other heat source.

  • Always store Foam canisters upright.
  • Always apply Foams with canister upside down.
  • Rotate stock carefully, most Foam only lasts 12 months in the can
  • Moisten dry surfaces before application to assist Foam curing and improve adhesion and cell structure (Foams are moisture curing).
  • Clean guns thoroughly by purging through with a Gun Foam Cleaner aerosol (Everbuild Dual Purpose Foam Cleaner)
  • Clean off all wet Foam immediately
  • Protect surrounding surfaces before application (Foam sticks to everything and is a nightmare to get off carpets, Everbuild Foam Eater will remove cured Foam on hard surfaces).
  • Always shake tin thoroughly before use.
  • Never insert or poke anything into the valve opening, if the valve gets blocked squirt Dual Purpose Foam Cleaner on to it, if this does not loosen valve the can must not be used.
  • Don't store in a very warm, or very cool places, keep it stored at between 15°C to 20°C
  • Don't store, or use anywhere near a naked flame.