Standard Laboratory Guide for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Polyurethane Foam

2.1 This laboratory guide has been developed for the assessment of volatile organic compound emissions from materials used in residential buildings.

 
2.2 This laboratory guide specifies recommended procedures for the use of test chambers to evaluate emissions from the material at a point in time following its installation. The guide contains the following:

A     A head-space analysis procedure for initial identification of volatile organic compounds released by the material;

B     Two dynamic chamber procedures (A and B) for characterizing the rate of volatile organic compound emissions from the material; and

C     A methodology for calculating the estimated indoor air concentrations of volatile organic compounds based on the results of dynamic chamber testing.

 
2.2.1 The head-space analysis is a static test to identify significant amounts of emitted compounds from the material. It is followed by either dynamic chamber Procedure A or B.

 
2.2.2 Procedure A measures the typical VOC emission characteristics of the material. The test is conducted after conditioning the specimen for 30 d.

 
2.2.3 Procedure B measures the typical VOC emission profile of the material commencing 24 h after installation and continuing for 30 d thereafter.

 
2.2.4 The results of Procedures A or B are used to calculate indoor air VOC concentration profiles and to determine the acceptability of the material for new construction and/or retrofit use.

 
2.2.4.1 Procedure A is used to evaluate the material in new residential construction when there is a minimum of 30 d from the installation to building occupancy.

 
2.2.4.2 Procedure B is a more complex evaluation of the material when the normal 30 d minimum airing out time associated with new construction is not provided (e.g. occupied buildings).

NOTE: In newer material standards editions, the term airing out time is now referred to as: "time to occupancy".

 
2.2.4.3 In these special cases (e.g. occupied buildings), the application and installation standard will provide the requirements for isolation and ventilation, if necessary. The test results of Procedure B will determine the length of time that these requirements are necessary.

 
2.2.5 The methodology for assessing the acceptability of the material utilizes comparison of the estimated indoor air concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with permissible concentration.