CAN/ULC-S705.1 Spray Foam Testing and Certification

Testing and certification for medium density spray polyurethane foam insulation entering the Canadian market

Medium density spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation installed in Canadian buildings must meet the material property and performance requirements of CAN/ULC-S705.1 before it can be listed under the National Building Code of Canada or accepted by provincial authorities.

QAI tests spray foam products against this standard, covering thermal performance, fire behavior, physical properties, and durability, and provides the certification documentation manufacturers need to bring their products to market. Whether you are launching a new formulation or updating an existing product listing, QAI supports the full path from sample submission through certification.

What Is CAN/ULC-S705.1 Testing?

CAN/ULC-S705.1 defines the material properties, test methods, and product requirements for medium density spray polyurethane foam insulation systems used in Canadian construction. Products must demonstrate compliance with thermal, physical, fire, and dimensional performance criteria to achieve acceptance under the National Building Code of Canada and applicable provincial building codes.

Testing scope under CAN/ULC-S705.1 includes:

• Thermal resistance (R-value) determination per ASTM C518
• Flame spread index and smoke developed index per ASTM E84
• Compressive strength per ASTM D1621
• Core density per ASTM D1622
• Water absorption per ASTM D2842
• Dimensional stability under heat and humidity per ASTM D2126
• Vapor permeance per ASTM E96
• Closed-cell content per ASTM D6226
• Cellular structure assessment per ASTM D2856
• Fire performance testing per CAN/ULC-S102.2 and NFPA 286 where required for specific applications

Our Process Includes

• Sample receipt, conditioning, and preparation per CAN/ULC-S705.1 requirements
• Thermal resistance testing to ASTM C518 for R-value determination and reporting
• Flame spread and smoke developed index testing to ASTM E84
• Physical and mechanical property testing: density, compressive strength, water absorption
• Dimensional stability evaluation per ASTM D2126 (heat and humidity aging)
• Vapor permeance testing per ASTM E96
• Closed-cell content and cellular structure testing per ASTM D6226 and ASTM D2856
• Fire performance testing to CAN/ULC-S102.2 and NFPA 286 where the application requires it
• Certification documentation and product listing under QAI’s certification program

Why It Matters

Without a product listing supported by CAN/ULC-S705.1 certification, your spray foam system faces rejection during building permit review and inspection across Canadian jurisdictions. Contractors and applicators who install an uncertified product take on compliance risk, and distributors may decline to carry it. Achieving certification before you approach the Canadian market protects your distribution relationships and removes the compliance barrier that building officials and specifiers look for before approving a product for use.

How You Benefit from QAI

Testing and certification through a single body, reducing the time and coordination required to build your compliance package

• Accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) backing QAI’s certification program
• Coverage of the full CAN/ULC-S705.1 test scope, including the ASTM methods referenced in the standard, without sending samples to multiple facilities
• Certification documentation structured to support CCMC evaluation and provincial acceptance processes
• Rapid turnaround options available for manufacturers working to a product launch or reformulation deadline
• Familiarity with the companion installation standard CAN/ULC-S705.2, so QAI can flag alignment issues between your product specifications and installation requirements early

Typical Projects We Support

• New closed-cell SPF formulations entering the Canadian market for the first time
• US manufacturers expanding distribution into Canada who need Canadian-specific product listings
• Formula or component changes to existing certified products requiring re-evaluation
• Private label spray foam brands that require independent third-party certification for Canadian distribution
• SPF systems intended for air barrier assemblies under National Building Code requirements, where thermal and vapor performance documentation is essential

Spray foam applied during residential construction

Thermal resistance testing in an accredited lab

Closed-cell foam structure under material evaluation

Product documentation reviewed for code compliance

Frequent Testing Methods and Standards

Accreditation and Recognition

QAI is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is recognized by OSHA as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). QAI’s building product certification programs are accepted across Canadian jurisdictions for building code compliance purposes. QAI accreditation scope