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RECOMMENDATIONS ON AN ORDINANCE REGULATING FO.\M FLOTATION <br />MATERIALS, 12/29/92, P. 2 <br />Public hearing Lostimony on 10/28/92 reported that extruded <br />polystyrene with closed cell beads 0.125 inch or smalloi- <br />approved for marine use does not. experience the breaking and <br />fragnentation of molded expanded polystyrene beads. Dow <br />Chemical Co., which manufacturers Styrofoam brand extruded <br />polystyrene, subsequently verified the product’s stability <br />for flotation purposes, including long-life service in <br />freezing temperatures. The product does not absorb water due <br />to its closed cell nature, and therefore is not subject to <br />water damage due to freezing. The molded expanded <br />polystyrene beads, however, arc affected by freezing water <br />damage as the product absorbs water. <br />Dow Chemical Co. does agree that the product should not be <br />uced for flotation of fuel docks or any flotation needs where <br />petroleum products, including gaioline, would come in <br />contact. Properly encapsul?; t ed polystyrene or other <br />flotation material not subject to petroleum de t e r i or a t iis <br />necessary in sucli uses. <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION: <br />1 .Molded expanded polystyrene bead flotation material may <br />only be permitted for water structure flotation uses if <br />it is properly encased. <br />The City of Orono ordinance is broad and general in its <br />description of molded expanded polystyrene bead material <br />encasement. Namely, the ordinance states that encasement <br />must "completely encase in a permanent casing, coating or <br />container capable of withstanding action by ice or other <br />elements, animals, and normal activity by users so that <br />disintegration of the molded shapes into smaller chunks <br />or individual beads is prevented."i <br />This requirement does appear adequate to put the burden <br />on the molded expanded polystyrene bead material to <br />properly encase it. <br />Should a user seek more specific guidance on how this <br />night be reasonably accomplished, LMCD could refer them <br />to references in the Oregon State Marino Board Rules. <br />These rules detail encapsulation *^ypes. <br />The Orono ordinance does not require encasement of <br />expanded polystyrene foam of the closed cell bead of <br />0.125’ or smaller manufacture. Staff recommends LMCD <br />sinilorly not prohibit its unencssed use except on fuel <br />docks or wherever gasoline and jetroleum produits will <br />come in contact with the material. Use in such cases <br />would require an inperrocable petroleum-repelling coating