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Schools requirements in limbo
The credit language states that school projects have to use composite materials and laminating adhesives that meet the testing and product requirements of the California Department of Health Services protocol. This is a stringent chamber test that detects certain types of VOCs1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures.
2. A... -
Do your research
Research credit-compliant products, including plywood, 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., door cores, laminate countertops, and other composite materials before construction begins helps to ensure that the right products are used. Early research helps avoid costly change orders and mistakes that would disqualify you from earning the credit.
While most of the focus in this credit is on...
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9 Comments
Plywood sheathing
I am having a very difficult time locating plywood sheathing that has been tested per the 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. This appears to be only a requirement for Schools.
The CDHS website has pre-determined products but these are all finished furniture – no ruff sheathing.
I am able to provide documentation of no 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. and urea but not that particular test.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I will agree with you that it is very difficult to find products in this category pass the CA 01350 testing as most don't even attempt it. What you may want to do is provide the documentation of 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. and explain that due to the EQc4.4 requirements in other LEED programs you feel that this should allowed. Otherwise remember that you can only get 4 of the 6 options in EQc4.0 for Schools and there are lots of products in the adhesives, paint, flooring, ceiling/wall systems, and furniture realm that would help you easily obtain those 4 points.
Construction Manager, advisory
This question goes under a larger umbrella, but this credit highlights the importance of accountability for subcontractors. In our project, the Owner has a contract with a Construction Manager, advisory, and multiple primes. There is no GC, and the Construction Manager is not at-risk. I haven't been able to find references for working with this type of contractual situation within a LEED project. Any suggestions? Thanks!
What's your role on the project? It sounds like an interesting situation, but I'm not completely sure what your question is.
My role is as the in-house sustainable design person (architect) for the architect. We're writing the specifications, and trying to figure out how to best ask for what is needed (how specific to get in Div. 1, how much to leave up to the contractor with selection of materials), and how to best make sure that all the multiple primes are aware of and acting on the LEED requirements. We are using MasterSpec, informed by Arcom's Specs for LEED book, previous projects, and of course EBN. Are there any articles out there about working with a CM-advisory within LEED requirements? I haven't been able to find any. Thanks!
We are including LEEDuser's sample "Letter to Contractor" as an attachment, with language revised for this contractual arrangement. It's a great letter - thanks for providing it.
Base on my previous experiences with a GC on LEED, you can't make them do something they don't understand. You have to train them on their concerns. I ended up doing the work for them as the LEED Project Manager in chasing credits which could have been a breeze. Watch out for SSp1 that you might not end up getting it the GC messes up (very important). Requirements of MR4,5&6 and EQc3 to 4 is something you should follow up regularly with the GC even with the subs. If there's a way for you to tie their payment to accomplishment (LEED), you'll have better chances.
Will meeting CARB 2, allow your product to meet this credit?
or do you have to be Greenguard certified?
You don't have to have any certification for a product to qualify here. Any kind of documentation from the manufacturer that there is no added UF will do the job.
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