NC 2009 IEQc4.4: Low-Emitting Materials—Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products

I have seen 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 when it was built, most cabinets 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.

Nena, the OSBOriented-strand board (OSB). Consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, wheatboard, oriented-strand board, and strawboard. is definitely a 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. product that would have to have 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. to meet the credit requirements. Does that answer your question?

Plywood and OSBOriented-strand board (OSB). Consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, wheatboard, oriented-strand board, and strawboard. that are exterior grade are not typically made with urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. resins. (UF glues are not usually waterproof.) These often do contain phenol formaldehydePhenol formaldehyde, which off-gasses only at high temperature, is used for exterior products, although many of these products are suitable for interior applications., a more water proof resin, which is not prohibited by the credit. I've heard that phenol formaldehyde doesn't off-gas at room temperatures the way urea-formaldehyde does, so that may explain why it is allowed here.

Regina - E1 focuses on emissions of 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.. This credit focuses on urea-formaldehyde resins added, so it is a content focused credit; even though it is in the middle of a product emission credit. It is a common confusion about the credit, but unfortunately the answer is that no level of emissions would prove compliance to the credit - you need to prove that no urea-formaldehyde was added to the product.

Michelle, we collected a number of stories where this occurred, and some solutions, and posted about it here: Fire-Rated No-Formaldehyde Substrates Can Discolor Exotic Veneers.

I just want to clarify that the bench will be new, and is not part of the original building.

SW - I would look at this as a piece of furniture. While a butcher block is by definition a group of pieces of wood glued together - I don't think that is the type of product that USGBC was focused on in this credit. They were looking at building materials such as 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., particle board, plywood, etc. - so I think your locker room bench would not have to meet the criteria to have the building get credit. In terms of overall 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. issues though, you may want to ask the bench maker if the adhesive they use is low-emitting.

Aaron, have you tried the product listings shown in the GreenSpec sidebar to the upper right?

Our GreenSpec products listings in the sidebar to the right list one fire-resistant 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. product that also meets the requirements of this credit. I don't know if it would work for your specific application.

Again, the terminology must be accurate - there is NO LEED prohibition on 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. being present or emitting. And all phone or other backer boards going into commercial construction must be non-combustible. Any 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. or 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. product that will be fire treated can be NAUF if it is specified that way.

Another detail to note is that phenol formaldehydePhenol formaldehyde, which off-gasses only at high temperature, is used for exterior products, although many of these products are suitable for interior applications. is an excellent and common alternative to urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. and should be accepted for specifying.

The Interior Design and Construction Reference Guide gives a little more clarity to this issue, even for the BD&C guide. It states that "products included in IEQc4.4 Low Emitting Materials: Systems FurnitureSystems furniture includes panel-based workstations comprising modular interconnecting panels, hang-on components, and drawer and filing components or a free-standing grouping of furniture items designed to work in concert. and Seating are excluded" from this IEQc4.4 credit.

The ID&C Guide defines that furniture as:
"1. Systems furniture is defined as either a panel-based workstation comprising modular, interconnecting panels, hang-on components and drawer and filing components, or a freestanding grouping of furniture items and their components that have been designed to work in concert. Furniture other than systems furniture and task and guest chairs used with systems furniture is defined as occasional furnitureOccasional furniture is located in lobbies and in conference rooms. and is excluded from the credit requirements.
2 Seating is defined as task and guest chairs used with systems furniture.
3 Salvaged and used furniture that is more than one year old at time of occupancy is excluded from the credit requirements."

That would mean that everything else is a base material and needs to comply with the urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. free requirements. I would assume that every item you have listed in your comment would need to comply.

Thanks Seema. How about fixture? Theres no definition of fixture in glossary nor footnotes.

Fixtures refers to lighting and plumbing items, right?

What about fixed seating such as auditorium seating - I know that Tristan posted an answer about auditorium seating and MR credits, what about here? Are they included?

As my colleague Brent posted under MRc7, MasterFormat lists auditorium seating under Division 12 Furnishings in category 12 60 00: Multiple Seating, or more specifically 12 61 00 Fixed Audience Seating.

The credit language for IEQc4.4 (see above) specifically excludes fixtures, furniture, and equipement (FF&E), so I think you could exclude the seating here.

As a best practice, you would want to include the seating, however, in your no-UF specs. If you're doing testing under IEQc3.2 and it will be installed before the testing, that would also be a factor.

It's urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. (UF) specifically, which is often used as a resin or glue in composite lumber products. UF is also naturaly occuring at low levels in wood, so the stipulation is to use products that use "no added" UF. There are many such products available in North America, and I'm guessing that's the same in the UK.

Thanks Tristan. so does this mean that the binderGlue used in manufacturing wood products, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and engineered lumber. Most binders are made with formaldehyde. resin cannot conatin anny Urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. full stop. Is it that simple or is there a %age value in the composition that is allowable.
Mostly here in UK we are asked to meed Class E1 formaldehyde emission standards but typically a board would contain 11-15% Urea formaldehyde and still acheiev this.

For LEED purposes, zero added UF content is allowed under this credit.

Please be careful to distinguish between naturally occurring urea-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. (which is allowed) and that which is "added" as a component of the binderGlue used in manufacturing wood products, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and engineered lumber. Most binders are made with formaldehyde. or adhesive. People new to this terminology and many manufacturers are still confused about this detail - thanks.

George, epoxy would only have to comply with the IEQc4.4 credit requirements if it's being used as a laminating adhesive.

Lou, if you don't use 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. or agrifiber productsAgrifiber products are made from agricultural fiber. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. here, you can't earn the credit. Note that laminating adhesives are also covered by the credit, so check if you are using any of those.

just curious to find out if there is a reason why this is not possible to earn this credit if we just don't use any 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 at all?

I have heard about project teams trying to earn as many point as possible and ordered a small portion of qualified composite wood products to install in the project while they didn't even need to use any. All of that was only for earning that extra credit? doesn't it become a waste by doing so?

The kind of situation you describe used to be common with IEQc4.3, but newer requirements there have closed the "carpeting a closet" loophole.

For IEQc4.4, you cannot earn the credit without some 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., so specifying a small, compliant amount is acceptable.

For the next version of LEED, look for this loophole to close up.

The credit covers any 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 inside the "waterproofing system," so that would clearly cover the engineered framing products you mention. I-beams are even specifically mentioned in the reference guide (for NC v2.2 as well as NC 2009), so we also list them in the credit guidance above.

Any additional questions about this? I am also checking to see if we can list more framing products from our GreenSpec directory in the sidebar to the right.

I checked the GreenSpec products that we list in the Related Products area (shown in the right-hand sidebar), and Glacier Clear from Plum Creek is listed as being in sizes as low as 1/10", and UF-free. Would have to inquire further if 1/8" is specifically available, but most other companies did not go that narrow, so it's a good bet. Let us know what you find!

Hi Janika,
Did you end up finding a 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 masonite product? I am currently working on a school project and the architect needs to specify masonite flooring for the stage in the cafeteria, but we are having a difficult time finding anything that meets the alternative compliance requirements 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., much less the CA 03150 requirements. I checked the Glacier Clear from Plum Creek, but it appears to be 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., not masonite hardboard suitable for flooring.

We would like to install some reclaimed cabinets in the office areas for storage of our retail building. Since these are reclaimed and not new, we don't have any way of determining if there was any added urea-formaldhyde ... does this exclude us from pursuing this credit?

Megan,

The products that you are talking about - cabinets - wouldn't be included in this credit. This credit focuses on 'base building elements', so products such as particleboard, 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., plywood, wheatboard, strawboard, panel substrates, and door cores. So while some of this may by in your reclaimed cabinets, they do not need to meet the requirements of the credit for you to get the point for your building.