Homeowner/Building Occupant Outreach

SPF applicators and their helpers receive professional training regarding the hazards associated with SPF application. Building occupants are not necessarily aware of the potential health hazards associated with SPF application or safety precautions to minimize the risk. SPF application involves the potential for exposure to a variety of chemicals, including SPF chemicals, coatings, and solvents. Consider potential exposures to all of the chemicals used on a job when developing an occupant outreach strategy.

Applicators and contractors can educate building occupants about the health hazards associated with SPF and the ways they can protect themselves from these hazards. A sample checklist of information you may wish to consider discussing with owners, designees, or occupants is included. Refer to Discussing SPF Application with Building Owners and Occupants checklist.

Although there is a lower degree of risk of inhalation exposure to SPF chemicals in exterior applications than interior applications due to natural ventilation, contractors may wish to consider use of the checklist as a tool to guide discussions with occupants. In commercial and public buildings, contractors may choose to provide outreach to building owners or their designee as well as to individual tenants.

You can also refer to the guidance document intended for homeowners called Selecting and Working your SPF Contractor. As an SPF contractor or building and construction professional, you may want to discuss some of the topics outlined in this homeowner guidance document in advance of the SPF installation.

On occasion, owners or their designee may wish to enter the work area before the building is cleared for occupancy in order to review the work. PPE may be needed for entry into the work area even for persons who are not involved in the application of SPF chemicals. You may wish to discuss alternatives for viewing the application or the work status with the owner or designee that avoid exposure issues, such as using photographs or real-time video to allow the owner or designee the opportunity to view the work.