NC 2009 IEQc4.3: Low-Emitting Materials—Flooring Systems

Hi Dario,

The credit only requires that -- for the carpet component of the credit, you ensure that it is CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label Plus. There are man made fiber carpets that meet these requirements. For instance, all Bentley Prince Street carpets meet these requirements: http://www.bentleyprincestreet.com/Default.aspx

Natural fibers may make sense for other reasons for your project, which may include your sustainability goals beyond those of LEED. InterfaceFLOR produces an LCA analysis for all of their products: https://www.interfaceflor.eu/internet/web.nsf/webpages/622_EU.html

Bruce - I believe that would fall under the ceramic tile adhesives criteria which is 65 g/l less water of VOC content. It can also show compliance with the emission criteria of the California Department of Health Services Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers, including 2004 Addenda (CA 01350).

Thanks for your reply Josh but grouts are not adhesives and the CDHS protocol doesn't apply to NC 2009. Only in LEED for Healthcare does it specifically reference grouts being compliant with ceramic tile adhesive and then the only reference is to 1168 and Prop 65 and not CDHS. I think the values are easily attainable but the reference seems to be arbitrary. Kind of like "and by the way......."

Bruce,

Where would you put grout then? From my understanding, that is where they fall in other LEED projects that I have seen.

Additionally, emission criteria has been used within LEED NC projects for both 'wet product' credits before. The largest LEED reviewer in the southeast has been doing this for years, due to the fact that the emission criteria is the main way called out for compliance in LEED for Schools 2009.

In fact I've petitioned the ARB to add "grout" (as well as several other materials) to it's list and definition of materials and then referenence in the appropriate table. As a specifier you look for definitive data and not inferences. By the way, kudos to UL Environment and their website. Anyone attempting Pilot Credit 43 needs to put it in their Favorites!

Hello Dario,

I would probably need additional details, but most likely you would want to ensure it was FloorScore certified.
http://www.scscertified.com/products/program.php?a=FloorScore

Dario,

Just as a heads-up the flooring doesn't have to be FloorScore certified. It does have to pass the CA 01350 requirements - which as stated above FloorScore and GREENGUARD Children & Schools show compliance to. Additionally, a test lab report for the stated product can be used to show compliance to the CA 01350 requirements. There are a number of laboratories around North America and a few in Europe that supply that testing.

I would say that it has to comply, but remember it doesn't have to be FloorScore certified. It simply has to show compliance with CA 01350 requirements - so hopefully that opens up your options a little.

From my experience, I usually do not include underlayments. However, I agree with Josh in that you could still seek to meet 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. requirements for adhesives, etc.

Yes - the SMaRT standards have been around for a while: http://www.sustainableproducts.com/smartweb.html

They look at the products in more of an overall sustainable manner; meaning they don't just look at product emissions or recycled content or durability - they look at the complete picture. It would probably qualify for points under Pilot Credit 43.

SMaRT emerged at the same time as the development of the first Environmentally Preferable Product standard for carpet, now known as NSF 140 - Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard.
The standards are loosely similar however NSF 140 has been more broadly adopted and most major carpets are certified to NSF 140.
Resilient flooring is covered by NSF/ANSI 332 Sustainability Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings.

Thanks for the extra info, both of you. If a product is only registered by SMaRT, and not the other standards listed in IEQc4.3, would this product still be accepted under this credit?

It does not appear that meeting CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label Plus low emitting criteria is a requirement for SMaRT, it is an optional credit, therefore you will want to ensure that the product also meets the required low emitting criteria for IEQ c4.3.

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 for an Innovation in Design credit for SMaRT which has a similar threshold as C2CA protocol developed by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry that establishes guidelines for the manufacture of products in ways that harmonize with natural systems. These guidelines require, for example, that products be recyclable indefinitely, contain no hazardous ingredients, and be manufactured using renewable energy. products. CIR #1768, dated 6/6/2007 and it is applicable to NC, CI, Schools, and CS under LEED v3.

The 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 is for an innovation in design credit, not for using SMaRT to meet IEQc4.3. Your flooring will need to demonstrate that it meets the required low emitting criteria in order to earn IEQ 4.3.

Catalina,

I do not believe they need to be included, however, you could still include them in a narrative just to cover your bases.

Hi Andre,

It appears that this product is a coating product.Therefore, it would need to meet the requirements for floor coatings.

Hope this helps.
Lauren

I would also like clairification on this question. More specifically, are the inserts for entryway grilles required to meet testing and product requirements of CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label Plus, FloorScore, or CA Dept of Health Services Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions (depending on the type of insert i.e. carpet, vinyl, etc.)?
Thank you.

BH and Blair,
The grilles and grates are normally made out of non-emitting materials such as metal, so they would not have to qualify. While the walk-off mats could emit something, they are not something that I have seen have to qualify for this credit as they are not 'permanent' or 'installed' in the space. It would be helpful to the indoor air quality if you could find a low-emitting walk-off mat, but I do not believe that it is necessary to achieve EQc4.3.

From my experience, walk-off mats when they are the kind with metal grills and carpet inserts are excluded from this credit.

That being said, it's good to try your best to find low-emitting options.

Good luck!

I was wondering about this myself. We are using a product that has carpet strip inserts, and is made of vinyl. Considering the product is made to be rolled up for cleaning, etc I am prepared to argue that it is not a permanent installation, similar to the walk-off mats. I am hoping that this will satisfy the reviewers (if clarification is required) on why the Entrance mat system does not have any particular certifications. Anybody else out there with actual experience with this?

Renee,

I think that your approach should work. The LEED-NC 2009 Reference Guide states that Indoor Carpet Systems are "carpet products installed inside the building's weatherproofing system". I think the argument could be made that your removal walk-off mats aren't really "installed". We're kind-of splitting hairs here but I have not yet seen a CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label Plus product for the carpet strip inserts in a walk-off mat.

Has anyone else? We should all still shoot to find the low-emitting option, of course in order to meet the intent of the credit.

Kash - the flooring credit (EQc4.3) mentions using low-emitting adhesives because most flooring needs some adhesive to stay down. Using low-emitting adhesives would be best for the indoor air quality, regardless of getting EQc4.1, but if you aren't going for the adhesives & sealants credits your flooring adhesive does not need to meet the criteria.

When LEED references a particular year of a standard, that year's standard stay in place until LEED is updated and not the standard. We only need to go to the newer version of this test standard if we are working in LEED-HC. NC 2009 or v3 stay with the 2004 version of the test.

Hi Keith,

I think you're right that only permanently installed carpet would technically count. Obviously, we'd still want to do the right thing and find throw rugs that have low-emissions.

Lauren

InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles can be connected to create an area rug using our zero VOC Tactiles, without needing to glue the carpet to the floor. The carpet meets CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label Plus so easily meets the low emitting requirements.

Just as a disclaimer - I am the Technical Information & Public Affairs manager for GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.

Anderson - On 10/19/2009 the USGBC did rule that GREENGUARD Children & Schools certification shows compliance to all IEQc4.3 credits due to the certification showing compliance to CA 01350's requirements.

Hi Anderson,

All flooring options would need to be included. However, I'd take a closer look at the credit requirements. Each flooring type needs to meet its own kind of requirements. For instance, only resilient flooring falls under the FloorScore requirement. CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label plus is the requirement for carpet. And exposed concrete floors need to have sealants that meet the credit's requirements.
Aluminum isn't included within the credit's requirements.

After taking an additional look at the credit requirements, please let me know if you have any more questions.

Good luck!
Lauren

In my opinion I think that Anderson has in mind raised flooring, which could be covered by any floor-covering system (either carpet, tiling or vinyl etc.). I believe his question, and mine as well, is if the raised flooring systems (double flooring, elevated flooring or whatever it can be called) need to be evaluated under this credit. Does this credit cover only those floor layers that are walked on? I believe that is true...

Hi Dario,

The LEED EQc4.6 credit only applies to LEED for Schools. Assuming you're applying under LEED-NC 2009, you'd need to make sure that all of your adhesives and sealants meet EQc4.1, all of your paints and coatings meet EQc4.2 requirements, that any flooring or carpet systems meet EQc4.3 requirements and that your composite woodComposite wood consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. and agrifiber productsAgrifiber products are made from agricultural fiber. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. meet EQc4.4. Each credit is independent of one another so you are free to decide which parts you want to meet or can meet.

Things like wallpaper, aren't included explicitly in LEED. However, the adhesives for those surfaces would be included.

Good luck!

I believe strand woven bamboo flooring would not be exempt. Some types of this flooring use bamboo that has been treated and then woven or combined with a plasticizerChemical compound added to a material to make it more flexible or softer. The most common plasticizers used in PVC (vinyl) products such as flooring and wallcoverings are various phthalates that are suspected of caus­ing cancer and/or endocrine disruptions. or bonding agent, before being milled to shape. Testing in accordance with one of the options under this credit would be required.

Hi Kenneth,

Your bamboo flooring, regardless of where it comes from, would need to meet the credit requirements.

Lauren

Did you try this website?
http://www.scscertified.com/gbc/floorscore.php
Testing goes for CA 01350 compliance only.
SCS is the only certifier for FloorScore.
SCS approved testing labs include BAA and Eurofins only.
Certification includes audits and re-testing.
It is advisable to include SCS already in the selection of the products to be tested.

Remember that a hard surface flooring does not have to be FloorScore certified. Option 2 is simply pass the CA 01350 requirements and a simple lab report from any lab that has CA 01350 in its ISO 17025 certification would show this for a single product (there may be other labs, but the ones that have probably done the most of these tests are Air Quality Sciences, Eurofins, and Berkeley Analytical Associates). If you are looking for a label that would show this for a hard surface flooring - GREENGUARD Children & Schools, FloorScore, or Indoor Advantage Gold would also show compliance to CA 01350. Take a look at the websites for these to see if there is already a product certified that you like, this way you don't have to wait on a product to be certified. Reinhard has the SCS website in the above comment and the GREENGUARD one for products that would qualify for this credit is here: http://greenguard.org/en/SearchResults.aspx?b=5,6&a=0|0|0|0|1|60|0|0|0|1|16|1&bs=LEED+for+New+Construction|IEQ+4.3%3aFlooring+Systems

Agree. And please note that in an addenda US GBC said that FloorScore certification (where applicable) is one option, but showing same performance just by testing and without any certification is another option for compliance with this credit. Certification just gives higher reliability of the statement on low VOC emssions.

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 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 this still awaits final conclusion and decision.

You could try to apply for an ID credit 10.1 with products labeled with any such European low VOC label, because of the much more stringent requirements compared to present LEED specifications, but I did not yet hear of any experience from projects doing so.

A few years ago we worked with a project that submitted the European GUT certification for low emissions as an alternative compliance path to meet CRIColor-rendering index, or CRI, is a scale of 0 to 100, used by manufacturers of fluorescent, metal halide, and other non-incandescent lighting equipment to describe the visual effect of the light on colored surfaces. Natural daylight is assigned a CRI of 100. Green Label Plus. The approach was denied.
But it's always worth another try.

The Johnsonite website (just to pick one manufacturer) claims that all of their wall base is FloorScore certified... however, if you visit the SCS FloorScore database, you won't see Johnsonite wall base products listed under "wall base". In fact, you won't find any wall base products listed. They are listed by manufacturer, though, if you're willing to wade five pages deep. In other words, you may need to dig deep on the SCS FloorScore website to find what you're looking for.

If I were a manufacturer, I would make double-darn sure that my products were correctly listed on the SCS website, since a lot of folks might be specifying products based on what they find (or don't find) there!

Joseph, I wouldn't consider wall base "flooring" that needs to be certified, although ideally it would be. The stair treads I would consider flooring and would want to certify them, however.

The original EQc4.3 text specifically requires that wall base be FloorScore certified. The 4/14/10 addendum completely replaces that text, with no mention of whether wall base is in or out. As usual, it's as clear as mud (or wall base adhesive). Since FloorScore certified wall base is readily available, I include it. The material that wall base is made out of is similar enough to resilient flooring material that I don't see any appreciable difference.

I hear why you're confused. I usually include FloorScore rubber base and also include it within this credit.

A more specific cove base question. My project has a gymnasium with a wood floor system that uses Johnsonite vent cove base to improve air circulation and expansion of the floor. This product is not FloorScore certified per Johnsonite and has no other testing certifications. It appears surprisingly that they may be the only manufacturer of this particular product. Maybe that's why they don't feel the need to test it.

As you've indicated, wall base is explicitly included in the EQ4.3 credit, and I also include it routinely in my documentation. I see no addendum, CIR or thread here or in the Schools system that indicates any ability to exclude this particular product or any other alternate compliance than third party certification.

Is there any way to comply? How are other projects with gym floors dealing with this?

Have you tried calling the manufacturer or comparing the MSDS1. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are detailed, written instructions documenting a method to achieve uniformity of performance. 2. A report that manufacturers of most products are required to make available to installers and purchasers, informing them of product information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures, the existence of potentially hazardous ingredients, and providing instructions for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of products between the vented base and regular base? The last time I used a vented base, it seemed like the same stuff molded into a different profile. I think your best bet is to call them and ask your question. The company you cite is a good one for green material information and they have probably addressed this previously.

Hi Susan,
Yes I did call Johnsonite, and they indicated that they don't feel the need to have the vent cove base tested for certification since they don't sell enough of it. As you say, I'm not certain why the vent would make a difference if the product is the same as other materials that they do have certified, but they definitively could not provide appropriate third party testing for the vent cove base product. So far no one has been able to suggest a compliant substitute. I am told this construction is common to gym floors. Are school and recreational projects with these floors just giving up this credit?

Michelle, I can only thing of one other thing you could do and that would be to pull the MSDS1. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are detailed, written instructions documenting a method to achieve uniformity of performance. 2. A report that manufacturers of most products are required to make available to installers and purchasers, informing them of product information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures, the existence of potentially hazardous ingredients, and providing instructions for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of products sheets for the vented base and the same manufacturer's FloorScore compliant MSDS, verify them as the same and submit them both for review or for a project 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. Have you checked with the School's forums on this site?

Hi Susan,
I really appreciate that you are still thinking about this. I almost posted something moments ago. I talked to Johnsonite about the vent cove material, and they indicate it's not the same as their other FloorScore wall base or rubber floor products. So I've basically struck out, and no response from my post on the Schools forum.

Interestingly Johnsonite tells me that they will proceed with certifying this product now that they have seen the McGraw Hill projections for LEED and schools construction for next year. They have now decided it makes financial sense for them to do so. At least future projects won't be SOL.

I am wondering however looking at Tristan's post if other projects may not be including the "wall base" under this credit. And may be achieving the point that way. I can't in good conscience leave it out. It is part of my flooring system.

Dear all,
concerning the post title about treads, we intend to use PVC nosing for the stairs. How would this affect the documentation of this credit. A colleague told me it's prohibited to use PVC products, is this true?

Hi Diaa,
This credit does not outright ban any particular products. You would need to see if the products you are considering meet the credit requirements above. You may want to consider vinyl over PVC: http://www.rfci.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Item...

Hi Jeremy,

You're correct in that your re-used wood floor would automatically comply so long as you had a finish that met the SCAQMD requirements.

It is not my understanding that this floor would ever need to be FloorScore. FloorScore is only offered for newly purchased products. You cannot get an existing wood to become FloorScore tested. I suppose you could try to get the reused flooring tested to meet the requirements of Option 2 but I really don't think that's necessary.

Just like the approach taken for EQc4.5 where furniture that is over a year old is excused from needing to meet the greenguar certification requirements, I'd assume the same would be true for reused wood flooring with a low-emitting sealer.

Hope that helps.

Lauren

Dear Lauren,
If existing Wood floor with no finishing or coating automatically comply with the credit, do I need to include them in the LEED On-line form, or is it exempt? If included, the LEED on-line form request Source of compliant statement, I´m a bit confused with it!