BASF Specialty Application for Strengthening Residential Roofs During High-Wind Events Approved by Miami-Dade County

<p><location value="LU/us.tx.houstn" idsrc="xmltag.org">Houston, TX</location> (PRWEB) <chron>October 05, 2011</chron></p><p><a href="http://www.spf.basf.com">BASF</a> today announced that closed-cell spray polyurethane foam products have received hurricane-zone approval from the <location>Miami-Dade County Building</location> and <org>Neighborhood Compliance (BNC) Department</org>. Tests and engineering evaluations of COMFORT FOAM® and SPRAYTITE® (178 series) applied at roofing trusses increased the wind-uplift resistance of a traditional code-approved home roof by more than 200 percent. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) from BASF can enhance wind-uplift resistance of new and existing homes to help prevent roof failure during a hurricane.*</p><p>Submission of this test data to the Miami-Dade County BNC office resulted in the first Notice of Acceptance (NOA)** for this application with approval for use in High Velocity Hurricane Zones.</p><p>“This new hurricane-zone approval adds high-wind mitigation to an already impressive list of product benefits,” said <person>Michael Sievers</person>, Business Manager, Spray Systems, BASF. Sievers added that this specialty application must be installed by a <a href="http://www.spf.basf.com/locate_generic.php">BASF qualified contractor</a>.</p><p>The Miami-Dade County NOA indicates that when BASF spray foam is applied as a three-inch fillet along the truss and roof deck, it glues the roof down to provide a simple and cost-effective means of significantly strengthening the roof against failure during high-wind events. BASF also has Florida Building Code (FBC) product approval (FL #13001) for COMFORT FOAM and SPRAYTITE (178 series) SPF products. Adding a total of three inches of closed-cell spray foam under the roof deck will also give the homeowner energy savings and wind resistance. Reduced homeowner insurance premiums may also be an added financial incentive in some areas of the country.</p><p>Homeowners in high-wind areas who want to maximize the benefits of COMFORT FOAM, including: premium-insulating values, improved indoor air quality, reduced energy bills and stronger roofs, are recommended to install a three-inch continuous application to the entire roof deck.</p><p>What stands tall after the storm may depend on a strong roof <br /><a href="http://www.noaa.gov/"><org>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</org> (NOAA)</a> reports that hurricanes account for average insured losses of about <money>5.2 billion dollars</money> per year in <location value="LC/us" idsrc="xmltag.org">the United States</location>. The majority of these losses were directly caused by severe wind and rain exposure resulting from a failed roof deck, according to a study by <org>Clemson University</org>.</p><p>BASF understands the value of providing materials that protect homes during catastrophic weather events including storms, hurricanes and high winds. Particularly vulnerable to these conditions are roofs. According to the <a href="http://www.flash.org/"><org>Federal Alliance for Safe Homes</org></a>, if a roof is not properly secured to the rest of a home, the likelihood of structural failure is much greater than if reinforced with hurricane damage mitigation tools.*** This type of application of spray foam glues the roof sheathing to the rafters, giving severe wind and rain no room to enter and weaken a structure.</p><p>For more information on the energy and structural benefits of building or retrofitting your home with BASF spray foam insulation, please visit <a href="http://www.spf.basf.com">http://www.spf.basf.com</a>.</p><p>About <org value="ACORN:2193487943" idsrc="xmltag.org">BASF Polyurethanes</org><br /> BASF is the leading supplier of Polyurethane Solutions for systems, specialties and PU basic products. With its global network of 38 polyurethane system houses and its comprehensive product and service portfolio, BASF is the preferred partner of its customers in many industries.</p><p>The BASF brand “Polyurethane Solutions” represents over 40 years of experience of the market and technology leadership for Polyurethane Systems.</p><p>In the extremely service-oriented business of polyurethane systems and specialties, reliable PU experience and competence are crucial. Through its system house network, BASF provides fast local support, from technical service and sales to production and marketing during the development of customized solutions. With its world-scale plants, BASF secures its leading market position in the production of polyurethane basic products in all regions of the world.</p><p>Polyurethanes make life more comfortable, safer and more pleasant while helping to save energy sustainably. They contribute towards improved insulation of buildings and more attractive, lightweight design of cars. Producers of shoes, mattresses and household goods as well as sports equipment use the unique advantages of polyurethanes provided with the knowledge and expertise of the polyurethane experts of BASF world-wide. Further information is available on the internet at <a href="http://www.polyurethanes.basf.com">http://www.polyurethanes.basf.com</a>.</p><p>BASF – <org value="ACORN:1452935282" idsrc="xmltag.org">The Chemical Company</org></p><p><org value="ACORN:1973707" idsrc="xmltag.org">BASF Corporation</org>, headquartered in <location value="LU/us.nj.floark" idsrc="xmltag.org">Florham Park, New Jersey</location>, is the North American affiliate of <org value="XETRA:BAS" idsrc="xmltag.org">BASF SE</org>, Ludwigshafen, <location value="LC/de" idsrc="xmltag.org">Germany</location>. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in <location value="LB/nam" idsrc="xmltag.org">North America</location>, and had sales of <money>$17.7 billion</money> in 2010. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit <a href="http://www.basf.us">http://www.basf.us</a>.</p><p>BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: <org value="ACORN:1452935282" idsrc="xmltag.org">The Chemical Company</org>. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at <a href="http://www.basf.com">http://www.basf.com</a> or in the Social Media Newsroom at <a href="http://newsroom.basf.com">newsroom.basf.com</a>.</p><p>COMFORT FOAM® and SPRAYTITE® are registered trademarks of <org value="ACORN:1973707" idsrc="xmltag.org">BASF Corporation</org>.</p><p>*Wind uplift resistance of standard construction (plywood and nails) can range from 50 to 150 psf. Tests with COMFORT FOAM® and SPRAYTITE® produced values in excess of 300 psf.</p><p>** Miami-Dade County NOA No. 10-0304.02; Expiration Date: <chron>March 31, 2016</chron></p><p>***<a href="http://flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=116">http://flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=116</a></p><p>###</p><p>Read the full story at <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8855814.htm">http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8855814.htm</a></p>