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No reason not to earn this credit
It shouldn’t cost you anything to earn this credit—it will just take a little work (the same is true for the related credit, IEQc4.2: Low-Emitting Materials—Paints and Coatings). Your first priority should be to specify only adhesives and sealants that comply with the credit’s VOC limits, and enforce those specifications on the jobsite. Research low-VOC adhesives and sealants before construction begins and provide lists of acceptable materials to contractors to help ensure that the right products are used. Proactive communication on the jobsite
Making sure that VOC limits are observed demands proactive...
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124 Comments
Sealant for Windows and Doors
For this kind of sealant, can I just put it under Architectural Sealant?
VOC Limit for Insulation Anchor Adhesive?
I have had someone submit Midwest Fasteners IHA-170 Insulation Anchor Adhesive to me. It has a VOC content of 405g/L, which is high. What category does this type of adhesive fall under? I'm pretty sure this is non-compliant...
This is the description from the product website:
Anchor Adhesive is a high strength, heavy-bodied adhesive, specifically formulated for adhering anchors for hanging insulation. Anchor Adhesive bonds metal and nylon anchors to metal, concrete or masonry surfaces. Can also be used to install metal or ceramic wall fixtures in tile applications. Anchor Adhesive is also recommended for use as a general-purpose construction adhesive in applications requiring a high strength bond, or in applications subjected to high temperatures.
Thanks!
I would suggest that you would look at #1168 SPECIAL PURPOSE CONTACT ADHESIVE is a contact adhesive that is used to bond all of the following substrates to any surface: melamine covered board, metal, unsupported vinyl, Teflon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, rubber and wood veneer 1/16 inch or less in thickness. The VOC limit is 250 g/l, so the trade will need to re-submit.
EU Standards vs LEED
We have some problem with the VOC (g/l) content in our products. This beacsue we just found out that the EU standards use 250 degrees as as specified limit when VOC is measured and for LEED they should use 280 degrees. How will this affect our information, Should we force our suppliers to carry out two measurements for every product, in order to measure according to both principles?
Or are we fine using the EU standards?
BAAQMD Regulation 8, Rule 51 vs SCAQMD Rule 1168
Nadav (and all) - In our local jurisdiction we are required to comply with BAAQMD requirements for VOC content. Do you know if BAAQMD VOC regulations in general are more stringent than SCAQMD's? Early version of LEED required BAAQMD reg 8, rule 51 as the standard for sealants, but that standard was dropped in NC 2.2. I'd heard that the standard was too hard to meet. Thanks.
Hi Marian, I don't know that off hand. Is it not easy to line them up and compare? If it's tricky, I can try to get someone here to do that--or we can ask one of the IAQIndoor air quality: The quality and attributes of indoor air affecting the health and comfort building occupants. IAQ encompasses available fresh air, contaminant levels, acoustics and noise levels, lighting quality, and other factors. ubergeeks out your way--I bet Anthony Bernheim or Hal Levin could tell us...
Anyone else know the answer?
Thanks Nadav. I will be putting together a small spreadsheet comparing the two just from the point of view of VOC content. I will be happy to share it with you.
WD-40 VOCs
We have a job that we need to use WD-40 on. They have provided their VOC level of 50% VOC by weight or 412 g/l. However, none of the categories of adhesives and sealants seem to apply to lubricants so I don't know if this is acceptable or not. Surely we aren't the first job that used such a common lubricant. Can anyone provide me insight on whether WD-40 is in compliance. Thank you!
Monica, I don't think a lubricant would be considered under the scope of this or any other IEQc4 credit.
Sealant for Joints
Hi,
I am was wondering if the sealants for concrete joints (slab on grade) at a basement level, must comply with the requirements.
The basement will be used for parking purposes, and the concrete will have screed on top.
Thanks,
I have the same question... This is also in relation to IEQc3 and technology used to make the screed system.
I am not familiar with this type of system. What are the "wet" components and how are they applied?
Hi guys, I have a similar question. To seal floor concrete joints , we're thinking of using joint sealant Thioflex 600 which is a polysulfide sealant (form: paste compound). Is it necessary for us to know the VOC content of this product for complying LEED requirement? If it is where do this kind of product belong in the SCAQMD Rule #1168?
I've just reviewed the definitions for Rule 1168, and it seems pretty clear that this type of concrete joint sealant falls into the category of "Architectural Sealants," with a corresponding VOC limit of 250 grams/liter.
You can see the full text of the rule from the link in the "Resources" section of this LEEDuser credit page. It includes this definition of Sealant: "SEALANT is any material with adhesive properties that is formulated primarily to fill, seal, or waterproof gaps or joints between two surfaces. Sealants include sealant primers and caulks."
The definition for "Architectural Sealant" is a sealant that is applied to a stationary structure (or mobile home)."
So yes, it is necessary to know the VOC content. The product literature I found online for Thioflex 600 doesn't list any VOC content, so you'll need to contact the supplier. Looking at literature for similar two-part polysulphide sealants suggests that they have zero-VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. 2. A molecule containing one or more carbon atoms that tends to evaporate (volatilize) into the air at typical ambient conditions. Some legal definitions of VOCs are restricted to those that react with sunlight to generate smog. Some VOCs are carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, or known irritants at typical levels., so my guess is that you'll be in good shape on this one.
Adhering a Copper Shielding membrane
I am working on a project where we need to provide RF ShieldingShielding is a nontechnical term that describes devices or techniques that are used as part of a luminaire or lamp to limit glare, light trespass, or sky glow. and are looking for how to adhere a copper sheet below an epoxy floor. The manufacturer recommends a bonding agent that is "<105 g/L" and reading through the rule 1168 (assuming it is an adhesive), I don't see anything that really relates. The rule has a requirement that says, "unless noted otherwise no adhesive should have a VOC less than 250 g/L" (section c.1). Can we apply that logic? It's not a metal to metal, it's not a subfloor adhesive, how should we classify it? The owner does not want to follow a VOC budget. The epoxy flooring above it will comply with EQc4.2 and EQc4.3. Thoughts?
Hi Jonathan,
Oddly enough, your project situation came to my desk via one of your project members moments ago. I would like to refer to David Posada's answer to another question a few comments down as it relates to your question.
David wrote, "Since it's often unclear what category a particular product should fall under, it maybe necessary to check the definitions in Rule 1168 to help guide your decision. There it states "SPECIAL PURPOSE CONTACT ADHESIVE is a contact adhesive that is used to bond melamine covered board, metal, unsupported vinyl, Teflon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, rubber and wood veneer 1/16 inch or less in thickness to any porous or nonporous surface."
This would suggest it's intended more for laminating sheets of thin material to a substrate. "Contact Adhesive" is more specifically defined as adhesive that is allowed to dry on both before bringing the materials together."
The application you are using seems to fall under the Special Purpose Contact Adhesives as adhering metal to a porous surface. I suggest you use the 250 g/l limit and call out the application in the your LEED documentation product description as being an adhesive for metal to porous material purposes and only do the VOC budget if you feel it is necessary once you receive comments back from your reviewers.
Required Signatory- Contractor
Hi,
I noticed that the new 3.0 version templates for IEQ VOC templates require a single contractor signatory. Our project is seperate contracts (GC, EC, MC) and each contractor has their own responsibilities as far as VOC's and their work. (yep, oversight of contractor x 3....) How should I handle this form?
Hi Jacque, Good question--seems like one that should go to GBCI. We'll see if we can get someone there to answer it here, but you may want to approach them directly via customer service as well. If you get an answer, please let us know!
Grouting
Hi. We want to use a grout for surface leveling under the baseplate of steel anchors on roof. It will be covered with secondary waterstoping membrane, thermal insulation and single-ply roof membrane. So it is inside of weatherproofing system.
1) Does this grouting fall under this credit?
2) In which category shoul I put it?
3) Is a weatherproofing system defined only by a roof membrane, or is it the whole roof slab consisted of secondary waterproof membrane/air barrier, thermal insulation and roof membrane? (then adhesives and sealants inside the roof composition are exempt, right?)
Polymerized urea formaldehyde resin
We have laminated particleboard also known as melamine panels which states it's formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings. free but has polymerized urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. resin in it. Can we still get EQ credit for it?
Particle board is covered under credit 4.4, not 4.1. To your question, the 4.4 credit calls for "no added" urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature.. Formaldehyde is naturally occuring in plants, so don't expect to find 100% UF free wood products.
Fire Caulk
Does fire caulk fall under "other sealants"?
Take a look at Lauren Glassock's question below - others have designated these as architectural sealants, with a limit of 250 g/L.
Low VOC content for treated wood products
Are preservative-treated and fire-treated wood products exempt from this credit since the treatment is done off-site? I assumed this was the case until I saw the "Wood" category under "Substrate Specific Applications" in table pertaining to IEQc4.1 (p. 471 in the guide).
Only products applied on site qualify for this credit, however all products included under EQc4.4 (no added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature.).
What about embedded Adhesives
Hello,
Assuming the building is purchasing pre-made MDFMedium-density fiberboard (MDF): Panel product used in cabinets and furniture; generally made from wood fiber glued together with binder; similar to particleboard, but with finer texture, offering more precise finishing. Most MDF is made with formaldehyde-emitting urea-formaldehyde binder., or plywood for interior installation. Must the adhesives or sealants used in manufacturing these products also comply with the requirements ?
Thanks for clarifying
The adhesives, binders and glues used to manufacture composite woods like plywood or MDFMedium-density fiberboard (MDF): Panel product used in cabinets and furniture; generally made from wood fiber glued together with binder; similar to particleboard, but with finer texture, offering more precise finishing. Most MDF is made with formaldehyde-emitting urea-formaldehyde binder. are addressed by EQc4.4 for no added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature., but EQc4.1 doesn't apply to the adhesives used to make the panel. However, if an MDF panel is used as the core for casework such as cabinets or counter tops, and a wood veneer or plastic laminate such as melamine or Formica is glued to the MDF panel, then the laminating adhesive needs to meet EQc4.1 limits.
HangarGrip Adhesive
The product in question is the Eco Hanger Grip Adhesive from MEI, described as "a construction-type paste adhesive specially designed for bonding insulation hangers to metal ducts and unfinished masonry surfaces." Would this be considered a Special Purpose Contact Adhesive with a VOC limit of 250 g/L? The product has a VOC content of 187 g/L.
Since it's often unclear what category a particular product should fall under, it maybe necessary to check the definitions in Rule 1168 to help guide your decision. There it states "SPECIAL PURPOSE CONTACT ADHESIVE is a contact adhesive that is used to bond melamine covered board, metal, unsupported vinyl, Teflon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, rubber and wood veneer 1/16 inch or less in thickness to any porous or nonporous surface."
This would suggest it's intended more for laminating sheets of thin material to a substrate. "Contact Adhesive" is more specifically defined as adhesive that is allowed to dry on both before bringing the materials together. I'm not familiar with this particular product, but it sounds like it may fall under the "Substrate Specific Applications" table on page 11 of the Rule 1168 document linked above in the Resources Tab. Depending on what category you decide to be the most suitable, you may need to use the VOC budget approach.
adhesive for sheet vinyl
We have a project that requires sheet vinyl flooring that is "static dissipative and static conductive". The conductive adhesive has 56 g/L VOC. The adhesive is for use only with homogenous vinyl tile and sheet vinyl (not VCT).
I'm proposing that the adhesive meets SCAQMD #1168 (c) Requirements (1): "Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (c)(2), a person shall not apply any adhesives, adhesive bonding primers, adhesive primers, or any other primer, which have a VOC content in excess of 250 g/L less water and less exempt compounds."
(c)(2) refers to the VOC table that we all know and love, and covers VCT Tile adhesives, but not vinyl adhesives.
Has anyone any experience with this?
Thanks.
That's not a straight forward call. If it was a product that was intended for both VCT and sheet vinyl (as some products are) it would be easier to say it should follow the VCT Tile limit of 50. My reading of Rule 1168 doesn't find clear guidance on sheet vinyl flooring - the Rubber Flooring Adhesive definition does indicate it applies to both tile and sheet products, whereas the VCT definition doesn't say anything about sheet vinyl.
Since you'll need to make a judgement on how this material should be classified, that decision may be influenced by how far off this is from the lower VOC limit (not much), how it would affect doing a VOC budget given your other materials, are you being consistent with the overall credit intent etc. Hope that helps - sorry this is one of those grey areas.
Scoop of VOC
Hi, I want to make sure that the only products that are covered by the VOC-requirements in LEED are the ones installed inside the building when it’s weatherproofed.
For example a part of the building is a garage that is open to the surroundings. Paints and sealants and so on that are used here should not be a part of the documentation?
Thanks Veronika
If the garage is not connected to the interior space, a past CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide indicates you can exclude it if it meets two conditions: it is unconditioned and open to the air, and it is separated by solid walls.
See Interpretation #1767 from a CIR Ruling on 4/20/2007:
"The project is inquiring if an adhesive used within the exterior moisture protection, but above an impenetrable concrete deck in an unconditioned, non-regularly occupied space, is exempt from EQc4.1. The project may exclude the adhesive in question since 1) the garage is open to the outdoors at all times and thus is not technically an interior space and 2) the occupied areas of the building are separated from the garage by solid, impenetrable walls."
Waterstops and EAc4.1
We have a project that uses a waterstop in an elevator pit. The waterproofing is on the exterior side of the concrete. The waterstop is nestled between two slabs of concrete and there are no plans to seal the concrete seam on the interior. The waterstop material has zero VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. 2. A molecule containing one or more carbon atoms that tends to evaporate (volatilize) into the air at typical ambient conditions. Some legal definitions of VOCs are restricted to those that react with sunlight to generate smog. Some VOCs are carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, or known irritants at typical levels., but the primer submitted has 509 g/L. Two questions:
1. With the waterstop embedded in the cold joint of the concrete, is it considered to be inside of the weatherproofing system or encapsulated within the concrete itself?
2. If so, does the primer used need to meet the VOC requirement for "Special Purpose Contact Adhesive" at 250 g/L?
VOC unit conversion
Hi,
I've come across some products that are labelled with a VOC values of mg/m2/hr (milligram per meter square per hour), so how do you convert it to l/g?
I don't think you can since what you have is a VOC emission RATE, and what you need for LEED documentation is the CONTENT in grams per liter. Since they are measuring two competely different properties of the product, I don't know that you can convert one to the other, but if anyone else knows how I'd like to know too! I would ask the manufacturer for the content.
VOC Limits for Duct Sealant
I am reviewing a submittal for duct sealant Hardcast Flex-Grip 550 which specifies a VOC limit of 75g/l (less water). In terms of SCAQMA 1168 is this product considered an architectural sealant or does this fall in the 'other' category?
There is a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide (6/26/09) that clarified this: "Project teams may classify duct sealants under “Other”, as listed in the SCAQMD VOC Limits table."
European Certificates accepted?
Adhesives and sealants must meet the VOC limits defined by the SCAQMD Rule 1168 respectively the Green Seal Standard for Commercial Adhesives GS 36. These limits are given in g/l of the Substance.
However, in Europe almost none of the construction materials are provided with SCAQMD or Green Seal certificates. Instead, the European DECOPAINT and EMICODE certificates are very common for these products.
DECOPAINT:
• Like the SCAQMD or Green Seal certificates also the DECOPAINT certificate regulates the VOC-contents of coating materials in g/l (decorative, protecting or any other kind of functional coatings – including paints and sealants, but not adhesives).
• There are VOC-limits for water based and solvent based products. The VOC limits for water based products generally are between 30 and 200 g/l. The limits for the comparable product categories are equal or below the comparable VOC-limits defined by SCAQMD Rule 1168 (30 – 850 g/l) or Green Seal Standard GS 36.
• However the VOC-analyzing method for DECOPAINT follows European regulations (ISO11890-2 and ASTMD 2369) and therefore is not comparable to the US American standards defined by USEPA (USEPA Reference Method 24) or SCAQMD (Methods 304, 316-A and B).
EMICODE:
• Different than SCAQMD or Green Seal certificates, EMICODE evaluates VOC-emissions of primers, adhesives, grouts, and many other substances into ambient air (in µg/m³) but not VOC-contents in g/l.
• Emissions after 3 and 28 days are evaluated.
• However, a cardinal prerequisite of EMICODE is that certified substances do not contain more than 0.5 % by weight of solvents. This equals about 5 g/l which is far below the admissible VOC-contents defined by SCAQMD Rule 1168 (30 – 850 g/l) or Green Seal Standard GS 36.
Will USGBC accept DECOPAINT or EMICODE certificated products instead of SCAQMD or Green Seal certified products?
Right now I do not see an acceptance of European low VOC labels by US GBC. Only Green Building Council Italia accepts EMICODE for EQc4.1, and EU Decopaint limits for EQc4.2, for LEED projects in Italy. But US GBC does not yet do so. Draft pilot credit PC 21 for LEED 2012 foresees an opening towards European schemes, but these still await final conclusion and decision.
You could try to apply for an ID credit 10.1 with EMICODE labeled products, because it limits VOC emissions not only VOC content, but I did not yet hear of any experience from projects doing so..
Concrete additives
What is the story with concrete additives? I read different things about whether or not they apply under IEQ 4.1 or 4.2 It seems the MFG likes to tout it as "LEED Compliant" if it has a generally low VOC level even if in does not fit neatly into a SCAQMD or GS category. The job I'm on now is a climate controlled parking structure so it is not really outside. Does everything I put into my concrete or shot-crete have to comply with some VOC limit? if so what is it? 250? 350? 100?
I've never included them and I think that is a reasonable strategy not to. An admixture is a small quantity relative to the rest of the concrete components and is quickly encapsulated.
Mechanical Applications
Has anyone found a good resource or information on LEED compliant sealants/adhesives for MEP systems in compliance with this credit?
For example, what category would pipe insulation adhesives fall under on the VOC limit chart listed in LEED? Armaflex 520 adhesive lists a VOC of 432 g/l. From what I can find on-line, this adhesive system claims to be LEED compliant but under the LEED chart, contact adhesive and special purpose contact adhesive do not have allowable VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. 2. A molecule containing one or more carbon atoms that tends to evaporate (volatilize) into the air at typical ambient conditions. Some legal definitions of VOCs are restricted to those that react with sunlight to generate smog. Some VOCs are carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, or known irritants at typical levels. this high, so what is Armaflex – Sheet Applied Rubber Lining?
I don't know of an all encompassing resource to find compliant products, but just address them as they come up on a project. The Armaflex adhesive you referenced does not seem to be compliant, since I would agree it fits best into the multipurpose adhesive or contact adhesive categories. However on my LEED projects I have seen Armaflex 520 BLV being used instead, which has 0 g/L VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. 2. A molecule containing one or more carbon atoms that tends to evaporate (volatilize) into the air at typical ambient conditions. Some legal definitions of VOCs are restricted to those that react with sunlight to generate smog. Some VOCs are carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, or known irritants at typical levels. and appears to serve the same purpose as the Armaflex 520.
Insulation: Is it a bird, is it a plane...no it's...
This project is using an insulation made of 92% recycled news paper. The other 8% are what holds it together. I've got an extensive list of the substances including VOC and formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings. given in mg/m³.
Q1) Does this fit into any of the IEQc4 catagories as it is not pressed fiberboard, or a liquid, or a spray.
Q2) Would you think one could get credit for using this product when the substance report values it as "good" as per a German substance criteria test. All testing was done be European chamber test protocals.
Jean, good to see you. Insulation only comes into play under the Schools credit IEQc4.6. The product you have sounds like what we call cellulose insulation in North America. It is usually installed blown (wet or dry) or loose-filled.
Fire Stopping Caulk and Sealants
What is the VOC limit of these again?
250 g/L
Thanks Kristy.
Can you help me find this reference in the SCAQMD language?
The caulk and fire stop sealant are considered an architectural sealants: "Appurtenances to an architectural structure include, but are not limited to: hand railings, cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, fences, rain gutters and downspouts, and windows". I couldn't find where SCAQMD specifically references fire stop but I have always used the 250g/L and the reviewers haven't questioned the claims - yet.
VOC [carpet adhesive] content determined by rapid schedule
My builder has an accelerated construction schedule, a familiar pace for him. He reports that - with inadequate slab curing time - only a high VOC carpet adhesive will form a durable bond. All low-VOC adhesives, used in previous projects [their perfromance compromised by continued off-gasing by concrete curing], fail and obligate him to by a high-VOC replacement. Has anyone dealt with this issue - found a durable bond by a low-VOC carpet adhesive applied while concrete continues to cure?
Peter, I don't have experience with a solution here, and I put it out to a few people and didn't get any solutions.
If you had to use the higher-VOC product you could try using the VOC budget method to comply with the credit.
IEQc4.1 v3.0 Form Footnote regarding Aerosol Adhesives
The v3.0 Form released in August states in footnote 1: "In the case of aerosol adhesives, the project team must provide a conversion of both the product VOC content and the corresponding allowable VOC limit from percent by weight (excluding water) to grams per liter (excluding water), based upon the density of the product." Can you provide an example of this calculation from a real world example?
This is tough one! I've heard that some MSD sheets, such as 3M's, actually provide the conversion for you.
Have you found anything?
I spent way too much time earlier this year trying to figure this out for LEED-NC v2.2 project’s VOC budget and finally gave up. Now that USGBC has codified this requirement, I was hoping to get direction on it.
Here’s what I came up with but I am not sure it is definitive: I found a resource on the Internet on how to do this - http://www.terrachoice.com/images/ECP%20PDFs/Newcriteriaunderreview/CCD0... (page 5).
"A major focus of the above-mentioned eco-labels and regulatory documents is reducing volatile organic compounds in adhesives, and there are currently two common methods to report volatile organic compounds: g/L or in %VOC weight. To convert g/L into %VOC weight, g/L must first be converted into kg/L and then divided by the density of a typical solvent which is approximately 0.86 kg/L. For example, 43 g/L of VOC is equal to 0.043 kg/L. If you divide 0.043 kg/L of VOC by 0.86 kg/L, you get 0.05 kg/L or 5%VOC weight. Alternatively, to convert %VOC weight into g/L you must first convert the %VOC weight into g/Kg. For example, 5%VOC weight is equal to 50g of VOC/1kg of product. To convert to 50g/L, you must multiply 0.50 kg of VOC by 0.86 kg/L (density of a typical solvent). Therefore, 5% VOC weight is equal to 0.043 kg/L or 43 g/L."
My questions at the time were what is a typical solvent and where do its density?
PVC Welding compared to adhesive primer for plastic
Can someone please confirm the following SCAQMD categories?
Welding PVC together requires both PVC primer and PVC cement. The Specialty Application category of "PVC Welding" refers to the cement itself, while the "Adhesive primer for plastic" refers to the primer. Thank you!
I agree with your categorization.
Anyone have clarification on which materials should be categorized "Plastic cement welding" ...which have a lower VOC (250 g/L) limit than PVC, CPVC and ABS cements?
Concrete Curing Systems
We have an issue where a concrete curing application is being used on the concrete BEFORE the weatherproofing system is in place, and before the building is closed-in. As a wet product, the VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. 2. A molecule containing one or more carbon atoms that tends to evaporate (volatilize) into the air at typical ambient conditions. Some legal definitions of VOCs are restricted to those that react with sunlight to generate smog. Some VOCs are carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, or known irritants at typical levels. are a bit too high. After it dries it has Zero VOCs. The manufacturer is adamant that it is VOC compliant. What is your take on this? Should we list the dry product VOC levels, or the wet product VOC levels? Should we preform the VOC BUdget method to be on the safe side?
Tim, I'm not sure if your concrete curing product falls under this credit. Is it specifically a sealant, or just a curing agent? If it's the latter, then I don't expect it to be addressed in this credit.
Generally, it doesn't matter when the product is applied -- as long as it's applied on site and will (eventually) fall inside the weatherproofing barrier, then it needs to be tracked. So if your product is a sealant, then you should use the budget method.
VOC Budget - General Question
One of our contractors has a question about the VOC budget method. If we have a large number of materials in our building, do we need to list all of them in the budget, or can we leave the majority of compliant products out, and just include enough compliant products to offset the very few non-compliant liters of material on site? (e.g if we have 100 extra grams of VOC in one product application, can we include one additional material where we have 100 fewer grams than the allowable by virtue of it being a zero or extremely low VOC material) - this way we can save the time of collecting quantities of all the compliant materials, yet still insure we are below the VOC budget - adding all the other quantities will add more grams of material, but for each liter used, we will add the same or more grams of allowable materials. Thoughts?
Your proposed method is correct -- you only have to use the budget method to the extent that you are proving that the non-compliant products are balanced out.
VOC testing method
so for a project in europe we have recently been submitted a breakdown of VOC-content for a putty product which showed significantly different values depending on the testing method: DIN ISO 11890 5 g/L, ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services D-3960-1 72.5 g/L.
Anyone have any experience / problems with this in review? Normally the VOC contents are simply quoted without testing method and we do not usually ask which method was used.
I cant find any requirement in the Ref Guide regarding testing method, but the SCAQMD Rules specify 3 possibilities: the U.S. EPA Reference Test Method 24; Method 303 in SCAQMD's "Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement Samples" manual, or Method 304 in SCAQMD's "Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement Samples" manual. Are these simply THE standards in the US which all products use?
Hi Victoria,
So, this is just my initial reaction but...I would think you would want to use the ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services standard. My thoughts are that the DIN standard is German where the ASTM standard is more in line with the EPA and US standards. Also, it seems safest to go with the higher VOC level.
Let us know if you hear anything official on this.
Thanks,
Shannon
VOC limits for products with unknown categories
We are working on an animal shelter and have received "paint" cut sheets for some unusual products. We have some unusual components in the building because the dog kennels are outside. We're really not sure what categories these products go in so we aren't sure of the VOC limits.
Everything is from Carboline
Carbothane 134 high gloss high solids topcoart (288 VOC)(appears to be for exterior metals, pipes and concrete requiring protection from the weather)
Carbozinc 621zinc primer (336 VOC) for touch up of galvanized portions of metal
Sanitile 555 water based epoxy (555 VOC) it's used as an architectural top coat. I can't find epoxies anywhere in the SCAQMD list.
Carbomastic 15 Parts A &B is an epoxy for industrial uses
Thank you for your help
I don't think there's ever a project where you don't have to take some educated guesses about products not directly listed in the various standards. Here's my take, but I would like to see how others interpret them.
The Carbothane and Carbozinc are probably anti-corrosive paints with a limit of 250 g/L. However, if the Carbothane (or any other product) is being applied outdoors, you don't have to track it for LEED.
I would categorize the Sanitile based on its use. If it's paint for walls or ceilings then it's addressed under GS-11, so would have a limit of 150 g/L. Otherwise, I'd take a look at what you're using it for and try to find the closest match.
The Carbomastic is probably some type of Industrial Maintenance Coating, so has a limit of 250.
As a side note, I frequently specify metal coatings that are higher than the VOC limits, and use a budget calculation method -- typically there is relatively little used, and the VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. 2. A molecule containing one or more carbon atoms that tends to evaporate (volatilize) into the air at typical ambient conditions. Some legal definitions of VOCs are restricted to those that react with sunlight to generate smog. Some VOCs are carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, or known irritants at typical levels. can all be balanced out with one low-VOC interior paint that you use a lot of. Many of my peers don't think that the lower VOC coatings for metals are as high performing, and performance is the number one criteria for these products.
Reference IEQc4.2 for more on this.
If the coatings are going on kennels that are outside, they would have no low-emitting requirement.
That's right -- thanks Karen. I missed the part about this being outside. (These are products that are also used inside in some circumstances, and this is a real issue on some projects.)
We just went through this on a very large project where we have an adhesive that's being used to create the weather barrier of the building. The GC submitted a non-low VOC adhesive, and informed us that if we wanted low VOC (which he said was not required for LEED) it was available for $40,000 more. Upon careful review of the credit, low VOC materials are ONLY considered on the interior of the building AFTER the building has been made weather tight. So, as odd as it seems, the adhesives that create that tightness do not have to achieve the VOC ratings.
The point here is that we'd never had to specifically identify "outside"... but it's in the manual, if you read it correctly.
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