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A pretty easy credit, with minimal additional cost
The simplest way to meet this credit is to make sure that all your carpet, carpet padding, and carpet adhesive meet the standard designated in the credit requirement. Carpet is required to meet the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (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 program,...
The simplest way to meet this credit is to make sure that all your carpet, carpet padding, and carpet adhesive meet the standard designated in the credit requirement. Carpet is required to meet the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (Step-by-step credit help
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23 Comments
seam sealer
I am wondering if anyone has had success with this credit with a small
amount of carpet seam sealer that exceeds the VOC limits ?
Is it possible to use the budget calculation and compare the adhesive to the seam sealer?
What is the actual VOC limit for seam sealer?
Suzanne, I would imagine that you could use the VOC budget methodology from EQc4.1 here for the adhesive component of EQc4.3. I actually haven't seen that done before but it seems very logical as this credit references EQc4.1 in its stated requirements for adhesives.
I am guessing that the seam sealer's VOC limit would be the limit for "carpet adhesives" which is 50 g/L. Other folks in the LEEDuser.com community, feel free to correct me I'm wrong.
Alternatively, is there a way for you to ensure that your carpet seam sealer meets the carpet adhesive VOC limits or is there a particular reason that necessitates a higher VOC level?
Testing requirements for hand knotted rugs
We are working on a project that is specifying hand knotted rugs. The manufacturer has contacted 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. to see if they can get their rugs certified, however CRI has said they do not certify hand knotted rugs (these are large scale rugs).
Does anyone know if it would be possible to to get testing done by a qualified independent laboratory and still meet the intent of the credit?
Would we need to email the "Standard Practice fo the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources using Small-Scale Environmental Chanbers" specification to the manufacturer so they can get the product tested?
Just wondering if anyone has gone through this kind of process before.
Question is whether the term "carpet" in LEED NC v 2.2 includes hand knotted rugs. If not, then there is no way. But if this can be answered yes, then any qualified independent testing lab could perform a test following 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 specifications just without certification, such as our lab (Eurofins), or several other labs throughout the US and in Europe. The manufacturer should just ask for testing of the rug as carpet for LEED NC v2.2 EQc4.3. The lab then should know how to test. Please note that the testing lab will have to cut out a small piece for testing which will destroy the test piece as such.
For full disclosure - I am Director VOC Testing at Eurofins Product Testing A/S, the world-wide largest such testing laboratory.
Hi Jonathan,
Interesting question. I have had some projects with carpets that were not eligible for 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. and we decided to then exclude them from our documentation altogether. For instance, I was working on an airport and there was a vertical carpet application around luggage turn styles. Also, I know that LEED generally excludes requiring that walk-off mats with carpet inserts be included within this credit.
However, in this case, it would be best to have the carpet tested to see if it meets the requirements.
I realize you asked your question back in February. Out of curiosity, what did you end up doing?
EU GUT certification be valid instead of Green Label Plus?
Hi we are considering to use a carpet that has got the GUT certification from Europe and they have provided us a comparison of Green Label Plus vs GUT which states that it satisfies all the requirements as per the comment in LEED "..”select products that are either certified under the Green Label Plus program or for which testing has been done by qualified independent laboratories in accordance with the appropriate requirements”. Do you know if this is valid art acceptable by LEED?
This will depend on the underlying test report which will be based on testing after 3 days. If it showed that all 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 LabelPlus limit values after 14 days are passed, and that all emissions are much lower than CRI Green LabelPlus limit values after 1 day, then GUT certainly will be equivalent as requirement, or even more stringent.
When checking this, please note that GUT testing is done at much lower ventilation rate, meaning that test results are higher than any results obtained from CRI Green LabelPlus testing. This means: If all results of a GUT test comply with CRI Green LabelPlus limit values then there is a good safety distance in this statement.
For details on GUT limit values please see
http://www.pro-dis.info/emission-test00.html?&L=0.
For full disclosure, I am Director VOC Testing at Eurofins Product Testing A/S, the largest world-wide supplier of VOC emissions chamber testing, and I am based in Denmark.
Linoleum Flooring Polish
I have a project with Armstrong linoleum floor. This floor calls for a specific Polish to be used with it that contains 187 g/L in VOC's.
Does this level need to be recorded? What is the limit for such a product?
Yes, a floor polish would be covered under EQc4.2: Paints and Coatings. See that page for detail on the requirements.
Entry System Grates with Carpet strips?
Does this credit apply to entry system grates that have a carpet type surface but are not techically carpet? All other carpeting in the project is compliant with this credit but I do not believe that this entry system is - there is no information that it is compliant on the manufacturers web site.
Hi Shannon,
This question was discussed in the EQc4.3 Section under LEEDv2009. It is my understanding that walk-off mats are not included within this credit. They are included within EQc5 but not this credit.
Thanks,
Lauren
CRI certificate requiered?
I have come across several provider that state in their 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 or commercial brochures that they comply with 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., merely citing a Green Label Plus (glp) certification number. My question is if we are obliged to send a copy of this certificate or if it is enough to just send the MSDS / commercial brochure. Thanks in advance!
Hi Andres,
You'll only need a cut sheet from the manufacturer that states that the product 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. I've never heard of any LEED projects ever actually needing a certicate with the certification number.
Lauren
Ok, thank you so much!
Do you mean to say that the carpet has to have 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 certificate but that it does not have to be submitted to USGBC when used on a LEED certified project?
That's right, you must have a cut sheet showing 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. certification, but not a certificate from CRI itself.
VOC Budget?
For a project we're working on, one isolated carpet adhesive got through that does not meet the 50 g/L requirement. If all the carpet meets the 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. requirement, does anyone know if it is possible to use a VOC budget for the carpet adhesive?
Hi Jonathan,
Yes, you can do a VOC budget to meet their requirements. However, you'd techinically need to do it for all adhesives and sealants not just the carpet adhesives.
The Reference Guide provides details on how to do a VOC budget in the Calculations section of EQc4.1.
Lauren
Thanks, Lauren.
I have done VOC budgets before for 4.1 and 4.2, just specifically wanted some asssurance that I can use it for the adhesives on 4.3. Thanks again - I will let our contractors know.
re: Resilient Flooring Substitution for Carpet
I have recently been informed that Resilient Flooring can be used to achieve this credit if Carpet systems are not used in the project. I searched previous CIRs and found the GBCI has accepted two alternative compliance paths for this credit: FloorScore Certification program or testing and product requirements of the California Department of Health Services (DHS) Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers.
My question is : Does VCT (Vinyl Flooring) or SDT (Statis Disipative Tile) qualify in either of these categories? I have not found information that would substantiate or disprove this. Your thoughts / experiences would be greatly appreciated
John, you're right about the alternative compliance path—this is discussed in a little bit more detail above in the Bird's Eye View tab.
FloorScore's website has information on certified products—there are several VCT products. I don't know about SDT.
I have a project with only mineral based/inert flooring, natural stone and porcelain tile. For v2009, USGBC released the addenda allowing these flooring options (tile, masonry, cut stone, etc.) to qualify without further testing for v2009 IEQc4.3. (Any adhesives or sealants still subject to other credits)
Does anyone know if this is acceptable under v2.2 as part of the alternative compliance path or are the testing/FloorScore requirements are still in place?
I think the FloorScore requirements are still in place for v2.2 officially, but I think you could include a narrative explaining a choice to exclude those materials based on the LEED 2009 requirements, and it should be approved.
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