Document 0LKJ23QLNMbZO4dZNrkB4eo5m

TELEPHONE HUDSON 3-6128 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. (POUNDED 1873) 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N. W. Washington 8, D. C. MINUTES OF MEETING PLASTICS COMMITTEE May 3, 1962 Baltusrol Golf Club Springfield, N. J. PRESENT: T. T. Miller (Vice Chairman, Presiding), W. R. Grace & Co. W. C. Lowrey (for Martin Buck), Shell Chemical Company H. R, Binges, Spencer Chemical Company John R. Eck, Monsanto Chemical Co. W. C. Goggin, Dow Chemical Co. '1 B, Humes, Union Carbide Plastics Co. T. J. Kinsella, Allied Chemical Corporation W. P. Marsh, Jr., U. S, Industrial Chemicals Co. A. R, Marusi, Borden Chemical Co. H. W. Mason, Jr., Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. Karl J. Nelson, Enjay Chemical Co, D. S. Frederick, Rohm & Haas Co. D, G. Patterson, Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. Orville L. Pierson, Rohm & Haas Co. A. A. Pavlic (for Walter H. Salzenberg), E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc. (portion of meeting) William Demarest, Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. Prank H. Carman, Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. with Mr. T. T. Killer in the chair. UNDERWRITERS' LABORATORIES CMA 078494 Appliance Project. The draft of the final report originally promised for about May 1 has been delayed and It now appears will be ready until after the middle of June. A total of $33,000 provided in the contract has been paid to the Underwriters' laboratories. Verbal reports from the staff now indicate there yip be an overrun of not more than $5,000 and for budget purposes is planned to include $3,000 for such a contingency. There save oeen no reports of difficulties on the part of the appliance manufacturers in obtaining approvals for use of plastic components. . Toxicity Project. Dr. Pierson, Chairman of the Plastics In gilding"Committee (Pl!B), commented on a recent discussion with a --aif member of the U/L who indicated that the work on the first C[^37s this may result in very limited information being ^-a_ned or. unpublished data and that the analysis of the available ---a may show that the only real concern will be the generation of carbon monoxide in burning. Phase IH of the project covering burning tests to determine toxic properties of combustion products has not been started nor authorised and, in view of the recent concern over smoke generation, it may be desirable to forego this m favor of another project. Mr. Demarest will keep Mr, Ambrose, Chairman of the SPI Code Advisory Committee, advised of the status of these Investigations at the U/L. SMOKE GENERATION OF PLASTICS Dr, Pierson, T. T. Miller and H. W. Mason, Jr. briefly reviewed the status of a recent approval in San Francisco of plastics for lighting and the present full-scale smoke tests In Los Angeles, The latter tests are an attempt to correlate the Tunnel Test with building burning and on this it was stressed that plastics will not be Included for the time being; arrangements may be made for some plastics industry observers. Dr. Pierson then commented on a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the FIB, stressing that this was the first contact with Mr. Bono, an Underwriters' representative, and no formal program or project was presented. Preferably by May 22, Mr. Bono was asked to make every effort to present a plan for evaluation of smoke density, possibly including a new evaluation of test conditions in the tunnel furnace, an objective look and comparison of various materials, particularly on time of generation and comparison of the smoke and possible use of a room-size box at the end of the tunnel for measurement of smoke density. The purely technical aspects of determination of smoke hazards from plastics were then discussed at length, particularly the realization that any substantial work over the long term should concentrate on the technical side, and possibly at some other location than the U/L, such as research institutes or a university. This may be desirable to separate the technical from the political aspects. Accordingly, the Committee unanimously agreed to assign this problem to the Advisory Committee for the two current U/L projects (with the possible consultation of a representative from tne Technical Subcommittee) with a request that this group endeavor to have a report for the July meeting of the Plastics Committee covering the (1) kind of tests that should be made to evaluate cr.cke generation; (2) who or what organization is qualified to ~-ake such tests, one that is recognized as an authority and cannot z~ challenged; and (3) the probable cost of such a program. For coiget purposes in the next fiscal year the estimate of $20,000 -eluded in the April 24 memorandum will be continued. conference Mr. T. T. Miller commented briefly on how this meeting was sorted, the type of representatives attending from the plastics -2- CMA 078495 industry and the home building group, and his general conclusions regarding their major problems. The latter included the need for proven performance information on plastic products, attention being given to in-place-cost of building components, and the lack of technical information on many materials. Among other things brought out in the meeting was the need for standards or consistent quality products. NOMINATIONS OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS A Nominating Committee consisting of Walter Salzenberg, T. J. Kinsella and T. T. Miller was approved. It Is understood this group will suggest a slate of at least six members; committee members will be asked for a vote on this slate by mail. PLASTICS FINANCIAL PACKAGE The Committee approved the suggestion that assessments for the next fiscal year be established within a range of $500 minimum and $5750 maximum. Further, with the Inclusion of a contingency item to cover possible overrun of the Appliance Project, the Com mittee approved the budget as submitted with the agenda for trans mittal to the members prior to the Annual Meeting. SENATE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Mr. Demarest reviewed a request from this Committee for assistance in assembling a report of new materials and techniques -n heavy construction coming within the province of that Committee, u. line with the recommendation contained in previous minutes, a meaning has been held with the few member companies that indicated interest In the project, and It has been arranged to handle the Senate Committee's request through direct communication with interested companies and the Committee's staff. A copy of the letter to Committee Chairman Chavez on this nicject is attached. TilTER HARBORS COMMITTEE The Chairman was authorized to appoint a Committee on Arrangentnts for the Oyster Harbors meeting of the Plastics Group ember 6 and 7* He subsequently appointed: T. B. Nantz, B. F. Goodrich Chemical Co., Chairman Joseph L,, Rodgers, Union Carbide Plastics Co. Emmett Hixon, Hercules Powder Company C. J. G. Leesemann, Enjay Chemical Co. W. C. Lowrey, Shell Chemical Company iTTALjEETING next Plastics Committee meeting will be June 7, 1962 nr.ing with breakfast at 7:45 a.m. EST In- the Directors Room, Greenbrier. CMA 078496 For the annual dinner, the Committee considered difficulties that may arise through use of Kate's Mountain Lodge, rather than the President Buchanan and Fillmore Rooms in the hotel; accordingly, it was agreed that the annual dinner meeting should be scheduled as in past years within the hotel. The Committee will also meet July 10 at the Union League Club, Grant Room, New York City (sponsor, Mr. Marusi), to consider progress on a smoke project. Respectfully submitted. Attachment F. H. Carman Secretary to Plastics Committee May 11, 1962 -4- CMA 078497 MAY & 1962 TELEPHONE HUDSON 34138 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. (EOUNDKD 1873) 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N. W. Washington 9, D. C. JOHN E. HULL tatral, U.$.A> (H#t.) rtSSCDEMT May 2, 1962 The Honorable Dennis Chavez Chairman Committee on Public Works United States Senate Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to my February 16, 1962 letter to you in response to your invitation to the Manufacturing Chemists' Association to present information on new materials in various kinds of heavy construction, I would like to tell you of the action we have taken in this regard. In February, announcements in two successive issues of our "General Bulletin" outlined for our membership the plans of the Committee on Public Works to compile a report on new materials and methods within its province, inviting member companies to express their interest In participating. Eleven of our chemical companies did so and were provided with copies of your Committee's January 22, 1962, resolution on the matter. We then arranged a meeting for them, to discuss the nature of their interest in the project and to consider the best means of assisting you. Half a dozen companies were represented at this meet ing and, as a result of it, I believe we can be of some definite help. In outlining what we have in mind, I should like to point out that the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc., does not itself generate technical data (although, in special cases, we sometimes engage research organizations to do this for us). As a trade group, we must fall back upon the technical personnel of our member companies when ever such information is to be developed. And, our members ane of course primarily concerned with doing business; this ust, in the last analysis, be the basis for any of their activities. The consensus of our interested members Is that, while each company is fully informed on its own proprietary products. Copy CMA 078498 bind entire yX NO COVERS REMOVE ADS POSSIBLE INDEX BACK INDEX FRONT COLOR NO. 1796 PATTERN ON FILE X RUB SENT BLEETLTOEVIJfi SPINE EXACTLY AS i:. C A FIastics Gorjaittee 1 inutes VoX. 2 19$6 - 1963 NEW BINDINO <30LD PRINT X BLACK PRINT SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS 2////fa V y l**' Si*L. ,, w K j PL*ASE Ktipn AT EXTENDED CARBON ^INSERT COMES 1 AND 2 IN BOOK CMA 078499 the best sources of comprehensive and unbiased information on new products within your Committee's Jurisdiction are the appropriate experts in the Federal government. As professional specialists, these experts can be expected to keep themselves infoimed (partly through their contacts with the producers of construction materials), but they are in a position to evaluate the relative merits of different techniques and different products. Each of our companies, of course, is interested only in its own products nor is the MCA, as their trade group, in a position to evaluate the relative merits of these construction materials. In the light of this, I believe we can be helpful to the Committee on Public Works in two ways: (l) by citing such new materials and new uses of old materials as our members suggest might be germane to your study and (2) at the same time attempting to Identify the appropriate Federal agency -- and preferably the technical expert within the agency -- that should be sufficiently knowledgeable to present an unbiased report, not Just upon a brand-name product, but upon that kind of new product or use. Further, I am confident that these same companies, having expressed an interest in the project, would be glad to assist the experts reporting to your Committee by obtain ing for them such additional information as they may need from industry to present as complete a story as possible to the Committee. If agreeable to you, therefore, we shall proceed at once with the steps set forth above, which should elicit from our member companies the assistance they are best qualified to offer. We are Indeed gratified to have been given the opportunity to play a part in the development of the report and we hope that our contribution will help to make It both comprehensive and authoritative. Sincerely, (Signed) J. E. Hull Copy