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

  • What’s simple isn’t necessarily easy

    IEQc4.3 requirements tableThe simplest way to meet this credit is to make sure that all your flooring and floor coverings meet the standard designated in the credit requirements. That’s not necessarily easy, because not that many hard-surface flooring products are FloorScore-certified or the equivalent.

    It’s easier to achieve this credit if all your regularly occupied spacesRegularly occupied spaces are areas where one or more individuals normally spend time (more than one hour per person per day on average) seated or standing as they work, study, or perform other focused activities inside a building. are carpeted, because compliant carpet is readily available at no cost premium. Carpet is less durable than hard-surface flooring, though, so may not be the best choice in all spaces.

    Resilient flooring, rubber flooring, ceramic tile, and prefinished wood flooring all must be FloorScore or Greenguard Children and Schools certified. Wood, concrete, and other flooring installed raw need not be certified as long all coatings and finished applied to them meet the requirements of IEQc4.2: Low-Emitting Materials—Paints and Coatings.

    USGBC put out an erratum for LEED for Schools allowing projects to use products that meet the LEED-NC EQc4.3 requirements rather than the more stringent LEED-for-Schools requirements. This options applies to adhesives and coatings used as well.

    Credit changes

    Carpet in classroomCarpet tile like this product from Interface is eligible for IEQc4.3, along with a variety of other flooring products—in a change for ths credit. Photo – InterfaceThis credit represents a significant change from past versions of LEED, which focused on just carpeting. LEED 2009 now mandates low-emitting standards for pretty much any kind of flooring. To be eligible to attempt this credit at least 25% of the finished floor area (carpet and non-carpet) must use low-emitting products. Installing a small patch of compliant flooring no longer qualifies for the credit. To earn the credit, 100% of both carpeted and non-carpeted finished floors must be low-emitting.

    Both designers and contractors have to understand the rules

    While this is a construction-phase credit—and the contractor will need to ensure that VOC-compliant adhesives, sealantsA sealant has adhesive properties and is formulated primarily to fill, seal, or waterproof gaps or joints between 2 surfaces. Sealants include sealant primers and caulks. (SCAQMD Rule 1168. )Sealants are used on wood, fabric, paper, corrugated paperboard, plastic foam and other materials with tiny openings, often microscopic, that may absorb or discharge gas or fluid. and coatings have been applied to flooring systems—it can be dealt with primarily during the design phase by choosing specific manufacturers and flooring products for the contractor to use. Allocating adequate time for product research, and identifying compliant flooring products before construction begins, help ensure that the right products are used. 

    Make sure the contractor and subcontractors know what information to look for. Don’t allow them to use products that merely claim to be low-emitting. Find the manufacturer’s data stating that its flooring systems have been tested by an accredited lab and complies with the California Department of Health Services protocol. Greenguard Children and Schools program—but not the generic Greenguard program—meets this protocol. (See Resources.)

    You’ll have to document flooring adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings twice—once for IEQc4.1 or IEQc4.2, and again for this credit. Enter the same VOC data for flooring adhesives, sealants, and coatings in the LEED forms for IEQc4.1, IEQc4.2 and IEQc4.3. 

    Marmoleum Composition TileMarmoleum Composition Tile from Forbo is among the resilient flooring products eligible for this credit. Photo – Forbo FlooringOnly 20% of product cut sheets selected at random need to be uploaded to LEED Online to document this credit although it is best to keep all product cut sheets on file in case the credit is audited.

  • Pursue four of six low-emitting materials credits

    Schools have six low-emitting materials credits, but can earn a maximum of four points from them, so choose four to pursue: 

    Choose the credits that are the easiest for your project to achieve. Typically IEQc4.1 and IEQc4.2 are the easiest.  IEQc4.3, IEQc4.4, and IEQc4.5 can be more difficult or expensive to achieve.

Legend

  • Best Practices
  • Gotcha
  • Action Steps
  • Cost Tip

Design Development

Expand All

  • Consider using low-emitting flooring materials and systems.

  • Review the table shown in the Bird's Eye View, and the credit language, for low-emitting requirements for different flooring materials.  

  • USGBC has put out an erratum for LEED for Schools allowing projects to use products that meet the LEED-NC IEQc4.3 requirements rather than the more stringent LEED for Schools requirements. This option applies to adhesives and coatings as well.

  • The cost premium for low-emitting flooring varies. Carpet, for example, should not have much of a premium, if any. Many hard-surface flooring materials such as concrete and wood are typically low-emitting themselves, and simply need a low-emitting finish, which is unlikely to have much of a cost premium. With higher-end flooring products, the cost of credit-compliant and non-compliant products should be comparable for all types of flooring. 

  • Durability and performance of flooring materials that are compliant with this credit should not be an issue, compared with conventional materials. 

  • Carpeted officeBolyu's Flair carpet tile contains 85% recycled content backing and matches the company's broadloom product. Photo – Beaulieu CommercialCarpeting all of your regularly occupied spaces will make earning this credit easier, because compliant carpeting is easy to find and should be available without a cost premium. FloorScore-certified hard-surface flooring, on the other hand, is harder to find as there may be limited variety and availability. However, consider durability as part of your design—hard-surface flooring offers better durability than carpet.

  • Resilient flooring, rubber flooring, and prefinished wood flooring all must be FloorScore-certified. Solid wood flooring, ceramic tile, concrete, and other flooring installed without binders or coatings need not be certified, but all coatings and finished applied to them must meet the requirements of IEQc4.2: Low-Emitting Materials—Paints and Coatings.

  • FloorScore lists a few compliant products on its website, but a limited number of manufacturers that have had their products tested by FloorScore. Products certified under the Greenguard for Children and Schools program are also okay, because that standard meets the California Department of Health Services protocol. Beware: the generic Greenguard standard does not meet this protocol.

Construction Documents

Expand All

  • Make sure low-emitting flooring requirements have been integrated into the construction specifications.  

  • Guidance on incorporating LEED specifications into construction documents, along with samples, is available from MasterSpec and from the Whole Building Design Guide (see Resources).

  • It is best to require subcontractors to supply all LEED-required VOC information on the products they purchase at the time they are submitting products for approval. This way contractors do not wait until the end of construction to supply information, and you have the opportunity to review products for LEED compliance before products are purchased.

  • If possible, incorporate in the specifications specific, compliant low-emitting products by product line and manufacturer. 

  • Contracts for contractors and subcontractors should include their responsibility for ensuring that products they supply comply with LEED’s requirements.

  • Low-emitting requirements can also be incorporated in a more comprehensive IAQ management plan (required for IEQc3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan—During Construction) specifying low-emitting flooring systems to control a source of construction pollution.

  • Achieving this credit can also help achieve IEQc3.2: Construction IAQ Management Plan—Before Occupancy, if your project pursues the air-testing option for this credit. Using low-emitting flooring products improves your odds of passing the air quality tests. 

  • Polished concreteUnfinished concrete floors in mechanical rooms are not covered by this credit. Floor finishes like this low-VOC siliconate polished concrete finish are covered, however. Photo – ConspecThe credit only applies to flooring products installed inside. You can exclude flooring or decking in exterior spaces. Unfinished flooring, including floors in mechanical, electrical, and elevator service rooms also are not included. 

  • Hiring construction teams with LEED experience is helpful, as is reviewing LEED requirements and responsibilities with the contractor during the bidding process. Construction teams without LEED experience can be successful with this credit, but will require more training and a closer eye on quality control to make sure compliant materials are used and that items are documented correctly.  

  • As accountability is key to successfully implementing low VOC materials, contractors and subcontractors should be contractually required to provide LEED submittal product information. 

Construction

Expand All

  • Preparation Before Construction Begins

  • The general contractor (GC) should be oriented to all LEED-related issues, including IAQ management, low-emitting materials, environmental material tracking tools, construction waste management, and so on. A list of acceptable products for each use type, and the list of VOC limits, should be provided to aid subcontractors in product selection. 

  • The GC should hold orientation meetings with the subcontractors to review the LEED responsibilities related specifically to their trades. This exercise helps to build trust and is crucial for obtaining buy-in from all participants in the process.

  • Coordination and communication among the GC, subcontractors and design team early in the process can minimize scheduling delays and pushback from subcontractors.

  • Give the GC and subcontractors the following tools to help them track materials data for all MR and IEQ credits. (See the Documentation Toolkit for access.)

    • Materials Calculator:  This is a master tracking spreadsheet that the GC can use internally to compile product information received from the subcontractors. The spreadsheet tracks LEED values across multiple LEED MR and IEQ credits.
    • Environmental Materials Reporting Form: This is a material tracking form that helps subcontractors record the environmental values for products they purchase. This can be distributed to each trade subcontractor and submitted to the GC for filing. 
    • Low-Emitting Materials Reporting Form: This is a VOC tracking sheet that helps subcontractors record the low-emitting qualities of the products they purchase and can be distributed to each trade subcontractor and submitted to the GC for filing.
    • Low-Emitting Material Limits: These tables, found with each credit here on LEEDuser, summarize the maximum VOC limits for different types of adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, composite wood, and flooring products. When subcontractors search for low-emitting products, they should consult these charts.

  • Research compliant, low-emitting products before construction begins. If product decisions are made after construction begins, with less time to carefully review data sheets, there is a much greater risk of using a non-compliant product. 

  • When researching low-emitting products, double check that the manufacturer’s printed information is not misleading. A common example is a product cut sheet that states: “This is low-emitting flooring” without providing the product’s certification status and number. You need a copy of the flooring certification to demonstrate the product’s compliance. 

  • You’ll have to document flooring adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings twice—once for IEQc4.1 or IEQc4.2, and again for this credit.

  • The MSDS for flooring adhesive, sealant, or coating might just list the chemical contents without providing an overall VOC g/L number. If this is the case, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer for a VOC number.  

  • The VOC Budget method described in IEQc4.1: Low Emitting Materials—Adhesives and Sealants and IEQc4.2: Low Emitting Materials—Paints and Coatings is not available for this credit.

  • The GC should be aware of any warranty issues that may exist if alternative adhesives or sealants are used. For example, a carpet company’s warranty may insist that a specific carpet adhesive that doesn’t meet the credit requirements. In this case, you’ll have to choose whether to forgo the credit for the sake of the warranty, to get the manufacturer to approve a low-emitting alternative, or to find an alternative product that complies with this credit.

  • During Construction

  • Throughout construction, the GC collects copies of flooring certifications and VOC data from subcontractors for all flooring adhesives, sealants, and coatings. VOC content is measured in grams per liter (g/l), and VOC levels can be found on each product’s MSDS.  

  • The GC functions as the overall quality assurance provider for this credit. Responsibilities include conducting weekly reviews of subcontractor product safety data sheets and tracking forms, as well as spot checks in dumpsters to determine which products are actually being used.

  • Assign someone to be responsible for inputting the subcontractors’ tracking forms into the master spreadsheet. A LEED consultant or an administrative assistant in the GC’s office may be the best choice for this role. 

  • Review subcontractor product suggestions ahead of time to avoid the purchase of inappropriate materials and eliminate the need for costly change orders.

  • Streamline documentation and research by keeping a master spreadsheet of all items being tracked for each material across MR and IEQ credits. For example, you may need to ask the carpet manufacturer for regional manufacturing and extraction locations for MRc5, recycled-content information for MRc4, and the CRI Green Label Plus information for this credit—all for one carpet selection. (See the Documentation Toolkit for a sample tracking spreadsheet.)

  • A master spreadsheet helps ease information collection for subcontractors, giving them a road map of exactly what types of information to collect for each product.  

  • Schedule the installation of absorptive flooring systems so that they are protected from construction air contaminants. This is required if your project is pursuing IEQc3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan—During Construction. For example, carpet tiles installed before walls are painted will absorb VOCs from the paint, and then offgas over a longer period.

  • It is usually a good idea to do a “mini air flush” (if your project is not attempting IEQc3.2) before occupancy to help remove any lingering VOCs from the construction process. This can be as simple as putting industrial sized fans in the window and pumping in fresh air overnight or running the HVAC exhaust on high for a few days. (See IEQc3.2: Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan—Before Occupancy if the team wants to do a full flush-out for an additional LEED point.)

  • Transfer all the data collected in the master material tracking spreadsheet to the LEED Online form and upload the product cut sheets.

Operations & Maintenance

Expand All

  • Keep a list of compliant flooring systems used on the project so that O&M staff can use these products for future renovations.

  • Follow specific maintenance practices for the flooring products used. Follow a green cleaning and maintenance policy that limits products with VOCs and other indoor pollutants.

  • USGBC

    Excerpted from LEED 2009 for Schools New Construction and Major Renovations

    COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    IEQ Credit 4.3: Low-Emitting Materials—Flooring Systems

    1 Point

    Intent

    To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

    Requirements

    All flooring elements installed in the building interior must meet the testing and product requirements 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.

    Mineral‐based finish flooring products such as tile, masonry, terrazzo, and cut stone without integral organic‐based coatings and sealantsA sealant has adhesive properties and is formulated primarily to fill, seal, or waterproof gaps or joints between 2 surfaces. Sealants include sealant primers and caulks. (SCAQMD Rule 1168. )Sealants are used on wood, fabric, paper, corrugated paperboard, plastic foam and other materials with tiny openings, often microscopic, that may absorb or discharge gas or fluid. and unfinished/untreated solid wood flooring qualify for credit without any 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. testing requirements. However, associated site‐applied adhesives, grouts, finishes and sealersSealers are coatings applied to either block materials from penetrating into or leaching out of a substrate, to prevent subsequent coatings from being absorbed by the substrate, or to prevent harm to subsequent coatings by materials in the substrate. must be compliant for a mineral‐based or unfinished/untreated solid wood flooring system to qualify for credit.

    Schools projects may choose from IEQ Credits 4.1-4.6 for a maximum of 4 points.

    Potential Technologies & Strategies

    Clearly specify requirements for product testing and/or certification in the construction documents. Some programs that offer verification of the cited standard for Options 1-4 and 6 are Indoor Advantage Gold, GREENGUARD Children & Schools, the Resilient Floor Covering Institute’s FloorScore program, the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus program, and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools product list. Indoor Advantage Gold offers verification of the BIFMA standard cited in Option C of the Furniture Option.

Organizations

Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) — Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers

Support on incorporating LEED requirements into specifications. 

Floorscore

The FloorScore program, developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in conjunction with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), tests and certifies flooring products for compliance with indoor air quality emission requirements adopted in California. 

GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI)

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification ProgramSM.  As an ANSI Authorized Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings.

Scientific Certification Systems, Inc.

A global leader in third-party environmental, sustainability and food quality certification, auditing, testing and standards development.

Publications

South Coast Air Quality Management District - Rules and Regulations

AQMD is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the smoggiest region of the U.S. We are committed to protecting the health of residents, while remaining sensitive to businesses.

Collaborative for High Performance Schools Best Practices Manual, 2006, Low-Emitting Materials (LEM) Table

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Best Practices Manual contains guidelines and strategies for effective acoustical performance in school buildings.  According to CHPS, “this table lists products that have been certified by its manufacturer and an independent laboratory to meet the CHPS Low-Emitting Materials criteria Section 01350 for use in a typical classroom.” 

Greenguard Children & Schools

Searchable List of Compliant products.

Technical Guides

Standard Practice For the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions From Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers

This is the referenced California standard that sets out the procedures and specific criteria for conducting VOC chamber tests.

MasterSpec “Specifying LEED Requirements Reference Book and CD ROM

A guide to specifying for LEED projects, with samples.

Environmental Materials Reporting Form

This is a materials tracking form that helps subcontractors record the environmental values of products they purchase. This can be distributed to each trade subcontractor and submitted to the GC for filing.

Letter to Contractor for MR and IEQ Credits

Use a letter like this sample to orient the contractor to their responsibilities for all MR and IEQ credits. This letter is an introduction that can be customized for the credits your project is pursuing.

Low-Emitting Materials Reporting Form

This is a VOC tracking sheet that helps subcontractors record the low-emitting qualities of the products they purchase and can be distributed to each trade subcontractor and submitted to the GC for filing. Use it specifically for earning low-emitting materials credits, but in conjunction with documentation for MR credits.

Jobsite Signs

Products with VOC content not meeting credit requirements for VOC levels can inadvertently get used on the jobsite. A sign like this sample helps remind subcontractors and construction workers of their responsibilities.

Materials Calculator

Teams can use this tool to track all materials across applicable MR and IEQ credits. It helps teams develop a roadmap of what information needs to be tracked for different products. It can also be used early on to create the baseline budget and ensure the products that are being used will apply to the various credit thresholds.

Flooring Materials Tracking Form

Provide this form to contractors or other team members to track flooring materials used on the project, and LEED compliance.

LEED Online Forms: Schools-2009 IEQ

The following links take you to the public, informational versions of the dynamic LEED Online forms for each Schools-2009 IEQ credit. You'll need to fill out the live versions of these forms on LEED Online for each credit you hope to earn.

Version 4 forms (newest):

Version 3 forms:

These links are posted by LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. USGBC has certain usage restrictions for these forms; for more information, visit LEED Online and click "Sample Forms Download."

25 Comments

0
0
John Drigot Design/LEED Specialist The Neenan Company
Aug 16 2011
Guest
1446 Thumbs Up

Schools - Combine Option 1 wtih Option 2?

I am wondering if anyone has been successful in verifying compliance of flooring systems under Option 1 and Option 2 on the same project. This would mean some flooring products have met FloorScore requirements while other flooring products have me the CA 01350 requirements. I was looking at Forbo products and noticed they are not FloorScore certified but meet the CHPS requirements. Thanks in advance. I have a call into Forbo too.

1
3
0
Josh Jacobs Technical Information & Public Affairs Manager, UL Environment Aug 16 2011 LEEDuser Expert 3061 Thumbs Up

John - you should be able to obtain the credit by providing proof that the products used are low-emitting per CA 01350 criteria/testing. So yes, if Forbo has that proven, then they would help you qualify for that point. The reasoning behind this is that the Floorscore chemical emission criteria (page 7, 9, and 26 of http://scscertified.com/docs/SCS-EC10.2-2007.pdf) is simply CA 01350 criteria for minimization of individual chemicals (http://www.cal-iaq.org/vocs/standard-method-for-voc-emissions-testing-an...). GREENGUARD Children & Schools certified flooring would also help show verification as the criteria for the certification is not only the minimization of the 35 individual chemicals specified in CA 01350, but 330 additional individual chemicals and a Total Volatile Organic Compound limit on all other VOCs emitting from the product (page 4 of http://greenguard.org/Libraries/GG_Documents/GGPS_002_GREENGUARDChildren...). For transparency purposes, I am the technical information and public affairs manager for GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.

2
3
0
John Drigot Design/LEED Specialist, The Neenan Company Aug 17 2011 Guest 1446 Thumbs Up

Josh,

Thanks for the quick and succinct reply. It all makes sense and I think from this point forward I'll be chasing the CA 01350 standard to make my life easier.

3
3
0
Lauren Glasscock Sr. Sustainability Professional, DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability Oct 07 2011 LEEDuser Expert 8651 Thumbs Up

Hi John,

I agree. You should be able to comply with multiple routes, whatever is most applicable to the products you are hoping to specify.

Post a Reply
0
0
Dario Ibarguengoitia Ambiente Regenerativo Integral
Jul 07 2011
LEEDuser Member
435 Thumbs Up

Percentage of finished floor complying for the credit

MY QUESTION IS.. WHAT IF I JUST HAVE 25 % OF THE FINISHED FLOOR AREA USING LOW EMITTING OR CERTIFIED PRODUCTS, AM I STILL EARNING THE CREDIT?
IM AM NOT CLEAR ABOUT THE PERCENTAGE OF THE FINISHED FLOOR THAT MUST BE COVERED TO EARN THE CREDIT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!

1
1
0
Kate Randolph Senior Sustainability Professional, KEMA Jul 24 2011 Guest 147 Thumbs Up

Hello Dario,

In order to earn this credit, ALL flooring elements installed in the building interior must meet the LEED requirements.

Post a Reply
0
0
Peter Doo Doo Consulting LLC
Jun 13 2011
LEEDuser Member
2656 Thumbs Up

PIEACP compliance path

If we are using the PIEACP compliance path for this credit, the NC 2.2 Credit 4.3 refers only to carpet systems. Does this mean that other flooring systems, such as terrazzo for example, would be excluded from the analysis? I assume we would put any floor sealantsA sealant has adhesive properties and is formulated primarily to fill, seal, or waterproof gaps or joints between 2 surfaces. Sealants include sealant primers and caulks. (SCAQMD Rule 1168. )Sealants are used on wood, fabric, paper, corrugated paperboard, plastic foam and other materials with tiny openings, often microscopic, that may absorb or discharge gas or fluid. or coatings under our alternate compliance path for credit 4.1 but the terrazzo itself would not be included in the VOC analysis. Wood floor systems would be similarly assessed. Is this correct?

1
1
0
Lauren Glasscock Sr. Sustainability Professional, DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability Jul 25 2011 LEEDuser Expert 8651 Thumbs Up

Hi Peter,

Just so I'm clear: is your project registered under LEED-NC v2.2 or LEED 2009?

If the project is registered under LEED-NC v2.2 than you would only need to consider carpet. If the credit is registered under LEED-NC v3, than all flooring systems would need to be considered.

I think that that this memo summarizes it fairly well: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=4311

Hope that helps!

Good luck,
Lauren

Post a Reply
0
0
Grace Heicher
May 26 2011
Guest
86 Thumbs Up

What Constitutes a Flooring System?

This may seem like a simple question, but do recessed foot grilles or walk-off matts count as a flooring system?

1
3
0
Kate Randolph Senior Sustainability Professional, KEMA Jul 24 2011 Guest 147 Thumbs Up

Hi Grace,

I believe for the purposes of this LEED credit, recessed foot grilles and walk-off mats not count as flooring systems. Looking through the credit requirements and definitions, it is clearly stated that this credit pertains to components of flooring systems that emit VOCsA volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a carbon compound that vaporizes (becomes a gas) at normal room temperatures. VOCs contribute to air pollution directly and through atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate) to produce secondary air pollutants, principally ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate. (i.e carpets, vinyl, etc). Hope this helps!

2
3
0
Kimberly Cullinane Nov 12 2012 LEEDuser Member 301 Thumbs Up

Walk off mats, however, are made with carpeted material and would seem to be included perhaps? Has anyone had any experience with a project getting GBCI comments about this?

3
3
0
Lauren Glasscock Sr. Sustainability Professional, DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability Nov 12 2012 LEEDuser Expert 8651 Thumbs Up

Hi Kimberly,
I would check out this previous discussion: http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-v2.2/EQc4.3?page=0#comment-25299

Post a Reply
0
0
Jessica Bristow Independent Contractor OPN Architects
Apr 14 2011
Guest
138 Thumbs Up

Gymnasium Flooring and IEQ 4

Is there any exemption for a wood gymnasium flooring for the IEQ 4.2 and 4.3 credits in a school?
I am doubting the ability to get a floor finish product that will meet the testing and product requirements of the CDPH without creating more problems due to maintenance. Water-based systems exist but I am not sure they meet the requirements and are definately not recommended by the manufacturers.
While switching to another type of sports flooring is a good idea, it is not allowed in competition gymnasiums in this conference.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
We used to be able to make a VOC budget but because of the testing requirements I am assuming that is no longer allowed.

1
5
0
Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Apr 23 2011 LEEDuser Moderator

Jessica, I have not heard of an exemption in a case like this. I would recommend the VOC budget method, however—that is still valid for IEQc4.1 and IEQc4.2, although it's less clear to me how it would apply with IEQc4.3.

2
5
0
Michelle Rosenberger Partner, ArchEcology, LLC Nov 09 2011 LEEDuser Member 1463 Thumbs Up

I have a similar issue with a gym wood flooring system that uses Johnsonite vented cove base, which is not FloorScore or third party tested. So far, it does not appear that anyone else manufactures this product.

Clearly EQ4.3 explicity includes wall base in the requirements and this is part of the flooringt system. I see no addenda, CIRs or LEED User threads that suggest any alternatives.

How are Schools projects dealing with this? Are they just not getting EQ4.3?

3
5
0
Josh Jacobs Technical Information & Public Affairs Manager, UL Environment Nov 22 2011 LEEDuser Expert 3061 Thumbs Up

Michele,

Have you tried calling the manufacturer and asking them if they have tested the product? There are many schools with gym floors getting EQc4.3, so there must be some way of proving that this product passes the criteria. Sorry that I don't have any better guidance then that.

4
5
0
Daniel LeBlanc Senior Sustainability Manager, YR&G Dec 06 2011 LEEDuser Expert 593 Thumbs Up

About finding a compliant floor finish and court lines - without naming the specific product I can say that there are products out there that meet the VOC requirements for Clear Wood Finishes at or below the 350 g/l and 550 g/l limits.

5
5
0
Agnes Vorbrodt Principal, VvS | Architects & Consultants May 01 2013 LEEDuser Member 125 Thumbs Up

It is possible to find sports-grade wood finishing products for wood flooring in a gym at 250+g/L - the question I have is whether it's allowed to use Clear Wood Finishes categories with 350 and 550g/L limits as opposed to floor finish with a limit of 100g/L. Client claims that any water-based systems under 100g/L will not meet the durability requirements.
Did anyone have any experience on that? Thank you!

Post a Reply
0
0
Linda Davisson Senior Consultant Sustainable Design Consulting
Mar 02 2011
LEEDuser Member
1479 Thumbs Up

CHPS Enough to qualify?

If a product is listed on the CHPS Low Emitting Materials Table (LEM) does it demonstrate compliance with the CA Department of Health Standard?

1
1
0
Josh Jacobs Technical Information & Public Affairs Manager, UL Environment Mar 02 2011 LEEDuser Expert 3061 Thumbs Up

For a product to get on the CHPS low emitting materials list it has to show compliance with CA 01350 through a certification program or an independent laboratory report. So I while I do not believe a screenshot or statement that it is on the CHPS list will be enough of compliance for LEED, the manufacturer should have other means to show compliance with the criteria.

Post a Reply
0
0
Walter Currin Project Architect SHW Group
Jan 21 2011
LEEDuser Member
30 Thumbs Up

PVC carpet (a contradition with low VOC?)

I have been in conversations with a carpet supplier that indicates that their 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. Green label plus, and will thus meet the requirements for IEQc4.3. Also, I have seen some documentation to back up this claim. However, the project team and I like to avoid the use of PVC as much as practicable. (I am sure that many people here are aware of the Living Building Challenge "Red List" - PVC is on this list). As such, it does not "feel" right to be using carpet with PVC in it. It is nice to make sure you are meet the broad based "intents" of LEED, even when your simply being paid to meet the credit specifcs. Has anyone else here been in a similar quandary, and how did you handle it? Maybe there is a loophole in this credit, or maybe I have an unreasonable bias against PVC. What is the experience of others here? Has anyone been "burned" by a carpet that they thought would keep them in compliance for this credit but did not work out?

1
2
0
Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Jan 26 2011 LEEDuser Moderator

Walter, this is a complex issue to say the least. In terms of LEED, it's very straightforward: carpet has to be 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 certified, and carpet containing PVC can meet that threshold. Given that things are very clear-cut in this way, I haven't heard about people being burned by it. On the contrary, I have heard complaints about the performance of non-PVC carpet tile, since its performance attributes can be lacking in some respects (like laying down flat).

Going beyond LEED through efforts like the LBC red list is definitely possible with a lot of products out there, and I'd love to hear from people like yourself about how that's going.

2
2
0
Reinhard Oppl Director VOC Testing, Eurofins Product Testing A/S Jan 26 2011 Guest 1353 Thumbs Up

Just one additional remark. Certification by 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. for Green Label Plus is not the main compliance path in EQ c4 in LEED for Schools 2009. No specific certification program is required, the product just must meet the testing and product requirements of CDPH Section 01350.

Post a Reply
0
0
Jan Stensland Founding Principal Inside Matters
Nov 03 2010
LEEDuser Member
41 Thumbs Up

Engineered or laminated wood flooring

For LEED for Schools, could an engineered or laminated wood flooring product contribute to both Credit 4.3 Flooring systems (if FloorScore certified) and Credit 4.4 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? That would, of course, be in addition to complying with 4.1 and 4.2. Would this also apply to the other LEED systems?

Thanks so much!

1
1
0
Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Nov 12 2010 LEEDuser Moderator

Yes. The way these credits are structured, I wouldn't use the word "contribute." I would say that if engineered wood flooring is used, and you're applying for IEQc4.3 and IEQc4.4, it has to meet the requirements of both. This is true for all LEED systems.

Post a Reply

Start a new LEED comment thread

Welcome !
May 24 2013
Type the characters you see in this picture. (verify using audio)
Type the characters you see in the picture above; if you can't read them, submit the form and a new image will be generated. Not case sensitive.

Copyright 2013 – BuildingGreen, Inc.