John, as this is outside, it doesn't fall under the requirements of this credit.

It's always a good idea to use low-emitting materials, though, so you could try to get emissions data for the decking material, and if it is low, this may reduce concerns about indoor air quality effects. I would think, though, that the effects would be minimal, particularly if the windows and doors are closed for testing.

Plastic laminates by themselves are not included in this credit. Laminating adhesives and the core/substrate that the laminate is attached to are included.

The availability of NAUF wood doors will vary by manufacturer. In general, fire doors are still readily available as NAUF. There are still component manufacturers producing door components, including door cores, as NAUF. This may not be the case with every core option, but wood based particleboard, staved lumber core, structural composite lumber core and other fire resistant door cores utilized in higher fire ratings are still available as NAUF from various manufacturers. Other 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. door components such as door crossbands, the vertical and horizontal edges etc. are also still available as NAUF, allowing most manufacturers to continue to offer a true NAUF door in most cases.

Judy, in my view this LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. is confusing, and this statement you points out only adds to the confusion. (Click here for our full analysis of LI #10250.)

I think the way it is checked off on the matrix is a fucntion of the fact that it is an adminstrative ruling that was intended for the formaldehyde policy as  whole, and not initially judged for a specific rating system. That being said, the language is remarkably pliable. I think USGBC wants you to do your best to comply with it based on project registration date.

I am curious what you make of the ruling, and how it affects your work?

As a product manufacturer, the ruling and updates have been a challenge as each one required additional clarifications. The 4/1/13 update did bring clarity to the ruling, as both melamine urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde used in some glues and adhesives, particularly in composite wood products. At room temperature, ureaformaldehyde emits formaldehyde, a toxic and possibly carcinogenic gas. with urea added as a scavenger and melamine formaldehyde with urea added as a scavenger are now acceptable (in addition to the NAUF), as long as they meet the testing requirements of CARBThe California Air Resources Board, part of the state government, is charged with maintaining clean air. This agency is unique at the state level: California was the only state that had such an agency before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act, and was allowed to keep it. NAF or CARB ULEF. While this did clarify what resins are acceptable, a major question still exists.
When can this ruling be followed? If it is truly to be based on the registration date of the project, then which of the LI 10250 dates are to be followed; October 2012, January 2013 or April 2013? If not the registration date, what is used for the basis in deciding when this updated ruling is applicable? Clarity is needed from the USGBC.
Distributors of products sign contractual agreements requiring them to furnish products per the specification unless the deviations are specifically signed off on as acceptable by the architect. Regardless of the updated ruling, NAUF may still be required for the project if noted in the specification. As a manufacturer of assemblies utilizing 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., we continue to manufacture NAUF products for this reason. The supply chain including vendors of components to the manufacturers, product distributors, end-users and architects may/may not be aware of the LI 10250 update. Not having the specifics on when the ruling can be followed is making things even more challenging.
Across the composite wood industry, millions of dollars have been spent to comply with CARB and LEED requirements. This is not an easy balance, but it is good to have more resin options. The uncertainty that has existed for six months since this ruling first was issued, and that still exists now, has dramatically disrupted business, caused orders to be delayed or cancelled, and created uncertainty as to what will or will not qualify for the credit on any given project.
How does this affect our business? On any given project it can stop it in its tracks.

Judy -
This is great feedback and very interesting to see thoughts from someone in the industry.

I continue to look for something definitive as to when a LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. Ruling can be followed. As noted in my previous comment, this is critical to manufacturers' of 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. products. If it is truly to be based on the registration date of the project, then which of the LI 10250 dates are to be followed; October 2012, January 2013 or April 2013? If not the registration date, what is used for the basis in deciding when this updated ruling is applicable?

Judy, I would contact GBCI and ask them. In my opinion, you should be able to interpret it in a way that makes the most sense for the project in question. I would say that the 10/1 language should be applicable after 10/1, and the 1/1 language after that, but USGBC doesn't even have a location where those versions are published, so in my opinion someone could even say that the current version is valid after 4/1/13, and that there is no application version prior to that date.

Has anyone else noticed that the April 1, 2013 additional comments on LI #10250 have mysteriously disappeard from the USGBC website? What does this mean?

This is a wild guess, but maybe in the transition to the new database, they missed the 4/1/13 updates to existing LI's? I'll ask.

My wild guess wasn't so far off. This should be corrected now.

Yes.

Well, I suppose that one could arguably exclude it because it is not "wood," but a grass, technically, but the credit also includes agfiber, which is similar—it seems clear that the intent would be to include it. Particularly when combined with the fact that everyone loves taking credit for bamboo under MRc7, so if it's "wood" there....

Makes sense to me. Thanks, Tristan!

Jason & Tristan,

For clarity reasons for all users, can you point out when a bamboo floor may have added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde used in some glues and adhesives, particularly in composite wood products. At room temperature, ureaformaldehyde emits formaldehyde, a toxic and possibly carcinogenic gas.? I can see the surfacing or sealer used on top of it to potential have addred UF or the particle board substructure, but I can't picture the bamboo having addred UF. Thanks

Josh, any commercial bamboo product is made from strips glued together. More background and some great photos in this EBN article. So that glue, i.e., binderGlue used in manufacturing wood products, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and engineered lumber. Most binders are made with formaldehyde., could be UF. Also, there could be a composite backing on a bamboo flooring product, like other flooring.

Tristan,

Thanks for the quick reply. So due to it being 'put together pieces' you would say that the bamboo flooring would be a composite product and be in this category? The composite backing, if part of the product during instalation and not a different piece of a final product, I get would fall under this.

Yes. At least, that's how I would see it, and I'd be surprised if I were wrong.

I've been looking at this same issue. At this point, I believe the answer is yes the resins used in the manufacture of the veneer must meet the NAUF requirements of IEQc4.4. I'm still digging though, and will let you know if I have new information.

Thanks for your quick reply, Kevin. I'll hope that your search unearths a definitive answer.

John.... see the post above about the new LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org..

Thank you Tristan. I read the new LEED interpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org., twice. Yes I am still confused. Being a woodworker I had to get away from what we term melamine and find it's real definition. I will keep reading.

I have some veneer core multi-ply plywood that is CARBThe California Air Resources Board, part of the state government, is charged with maintaining clean air. This agency is unique at the state level: California was the only state that had such an agency before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act, and was allowed to keep it. II compliant but is NOT NAUF, I am trying to find out if I need to find a NAUF alternative for the jobs looking for this credit.

Ivan, yes, you would.

Noriko,

I would not see plastic composites falling under this criteria, but many wood composite materials - as you quoted - are listed in the credit. So those used on the inside of the building, must not contain added Urea FormaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde used in some glues and adhesives, particularly in composite wood products. At room temperature, ureaformaldehyde emits formaldehyde, a toxic and possibly carcinogenic gas. resins.

If the material does not have wood or agfiber content, then it should not be considered for this credit. So your mineral fiber ceiling tiles would not be considered here.

Csaba,

I do not have experience with this, however to meet the credit requirements here must be no added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde used in some glues and adhesives, particularly in composite wood products. At room temperature, ureaformaldehyde emits formaldehyde, a toxic and possibly carcinogenic gas.. So if you can determine if that is what the certification means you may be alright.

Thanks Emily, it's true.
My problem is I have no idea what this standard contains. I hope there's somebody from Europe here who knows DIN and can give a hint it's okay to go deeper in this or not.

I have zero knowledge of the the DIN standard, but my general impression of standards from outside the U.S. is that they are typically emissions based, and don't meet the no-UF requirement.

We had the same case in a project. It was partitions between some offices. Yes it is demountable but we couldn't consider it furniture. We included it as it was intended to be installed permanently in the building.

Yes, glulams should be included in IEQ 4.4 and should not contain added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde used in some glues and adhesives, particularly in composite wood products. At room temperature, ureaformaldehyde emits formaldehyde, a toxic and possibly carcinogenic gas.. That said, I was told by a contact at Wood Tech that no glulams contain urea formaldehyde, and that it hasn't been used in the industry in some time. Here's the link to their contact info: http://glulams.com/

Ann, I'm not sure—I've never seen this question addressed explicitly on this credit, although it is addressed on MRc7, where you can include temporary construction bracing and formwork if it is not counted on another project. Since this credit is more about interior emissions, I think that is less fitting, though. I'd say that if it is temporary, and particularly if it is not being used on the interior, then it should not be included.

To be clear, I would, as a default position, NOT include any temporary construction materials or formwork in consideration here. My initial response was based on the idea that you might want to do so, and I think that's not fitting, but some cases could be made.

Anders,

While I think it is a good idea to look for products that do not have high levels of chemical off-gassing or potentially harmful chemical content - I do not believe that the products you have detailed above would fall under EQc 4.4.

Andy, unfortunately the LEED credit requirements here are based on content, not emissions, and this product would be likely seen as non-compliant.

Francis, this is debatable, and I don't think you could get a definite answer without submitting the credit for review, or submitting 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, but I don't think you could earn the credit. While arguably avoiding these products would contribute to the intent behind the credit, it doesn't fit with how the credit language is set up, or the documentation requirements. Just think—if USGBC wanted to use a credit to encourage us to avoid a certain material to improve 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., it probably wouldn't start with 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..

Remember that any portion of the 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. in your casework that is recycled is exempt from MRc7, even if it is FSCIndependent, third-party verification that forest products are produced and sold based on a set of criteria for forest management and chain-of-custody controls developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international nonprofit organization. FSC criteria for certifying forests around the world address forest management, legal issues, indigenous rights, labor rights, multiple benefits, and environmental impacts. recycled.

Right, but what about new 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. in casework? Thanks - Kris Phillips

Of course all new wood must be counted. But what I am saying is that a lot of 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. content is recycled. Check the information sheets for the products that you used.

I will do that. Thank you for your comments.

Maura,

Unfortunately I don't know. I could see someone saying that the millwork might be part of the base building material as it can be seen as permanent, but a white board is a fit out/fixture. The language specifically exempts fixtures.

Maura - Millwork (fabricated in a mill and installed in a building) is definitely part of a base building: window casings, doors, baseboard and trim, etc. I've not included white board in the two school projects I've done. My suggestion is to shoot a clarification question to your review team and asking them to explain their comment a little more specifically. Please let us know what they say, as this might be a new twist!

It looks like you'll have to start including them. The review team says this: "According to the rating system, IEQc4 applies to all products used on the interior of the building, therefore, the white boards must comply with the credit requirements if they are going to be inside the building."

If you have certification that states that the 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. did not have any added 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. that should work for the credit. Remember, the credit is not saying that it has to be formaldehyde free, wood really can't be, it just has to not have added urea-formaldehyde.

Thanks Josh for your response. Actually I got a test report from the supplier that the material contents has 0% 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.. That's it.
It doesn't mention any of urea or urea-formaldehyde.

Does it comply?

If you have 0 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. content added, then that should show qualification for the criteria.

Susan, it's unlikely that LEED 2012 would help you. It's a brand new version of LEED, not an update of LEED 2009. There are so many changes proposed that if people started citing LEED 2012 to justify something in LEED 2009 there would be no end... just wait and register for LEED  2012 if you want. Also, note that LEED 2012 is only a draft at this point.

I have seen closets and cabinets treated different ways by different construction and review teams. If you are going for the point and the cabinets are included in any other credits within the space, then they would have to be included here. Depending upon where you are building, most cabinets in North America have had this type of 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. as part of their structure for a number of years, so it is available.

You are correct FF&E don't need to be included for the credit, but if you are looking for good indoor air quality, you may want to look for low-emitting products in those categories. There are a number of organizations such as www.greenguard.org and www.scscertified.com that have listings of fixturexs and fit-outs that are low-emitting per LEED EQc 4.5 (CI and Schools).