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Schematic Desiqn
Start researching and selecting comptiant low-VOC adhesives and sealants needed for the project.
Desiqn Development
1.
First check the allowable VOC levels for each product type you are using - see the summary of VOC limits
in the Low-Emitting Material Limits document and then make sure the products specified do not exceed those
limits.
2.
Keep VOG requirements in mind when selecting all materials used indoors. Watch out for warranty
restrictions that call for use of a manufacturer-specified adhesive or sealant (which may or may not comply).
3.
Finding adhesives and sealants that are compliant with the credit requirements may sometimes take a
little extra time, but is rarely a problem.
LEED 2OO9 CI
Page2
Design Development
1.
First check the allowable VOC levels for each product type you are using - see the summary of VOC limits
in the Low-Emitting Material Limits document and then make sure the products specified do not exceed those
limits.
2.
Select paint colors and sheen levels.
It's easier to find low-VOC paints if you choose lighter paint colors. Darker colors tend to use more pigment
and binders, where VOCs are concentrated. When compiling VOC numbers for paints, make sure that the
numbers you get include pigment, not just the base paint.
4.
Light colors also make spaces brighter, reducing electric lighting needs.
5.
Major manufacturers offer paints and coatings that are just as durable and perform just as well as their
higher-VOC counterparts. Poor performance of low-VOC paints and coatings has been an issue in the past,
but is no longer a problem for any but the most demanding applications. lnterior wall and ceiling paints (in flat
and semi-gloss sheens) are readily available. Some specialty coatings such as rust-proofing finishes can be
ll&tI
td*., - alatt
Anti-corrosive and anti*rusl paints ap.Flid to inlerror ferrous
fieral suhltratrs. Do not exceed rh VOC eontnt limit of 250 g/L
establishec! rn Creen Seal Standard CC-03, Anti-Corros;w Parnts,
Second fditrr:n, January 7, i997.
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LEED 2OO9 CI
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Page2
11. Schedule the application of paints and coatings so that off-gassing does not contaminate other
absorptive materials. This is required if projects are attempting IEQc3.1: Construction lndoor Air Quality
Plan-During Construction. For example, do not store or install acoustic ceiling tile before flooring and wall
paints are put down, because ceiling tiles will absorb the off-gassing of paint and contaminate the air over a
longer time period.
12.
Throughout construction, the GC should collect material safety data sheets (MSDS) from
subcontractors and completed VOC tracking forms for all products used onsite associated with this credit.
13.
Assign a responsible
pafi
to input the subcontractors' tracking forms into the Materials Calculator.
An administrative assistant in the GC's office may be the best choice for this role.
subcontractor product suggestions ahead of time to avoid the purchase of inappropriate
materials and eliminate the need for costly change orders.
14 Review
15. Streamline documentation and research by keeping a master spreadsheet of all the items being tracked
for each material across MR and IEQ credits. For example, you may need to ask the millworker for regional
information for MRc5, certified wood information for MRc7, and information about coatings installed on-site for
lEQc4.1. lf one spreadsheet collects all the data, it can streamline your documentation, associated research,
and help with quality control.
16.
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.
17.
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.
18.
Post signs at the construction site that reminds subcontractors to follow LEED requirements for lowVOC products.
19.
The GC should be aware of any warranty issues that may exist if alternative paints or coatings are used.
For example, a flooring company's warranty may require a specific coating that does not meet the VOC
requirements. To keep the warranty valid, use the coating specified and use the VOC budget method to show
a weighted average VOC compliance (see below)
20. lf noncompliant materials are used onsite accidentally, or due to a warranty or other issue, you can use
the VOC budget method. This method compares the total amount of VOCs (in grams per liter) used in the
design case to the total amount of VOCs that would have been used if every product exactly met LEED VOC
allowances. The calculation must be determined for adhesives and sealants separately from paints and
coatings. For example, it won't necessarily help your case to use low-VOC paints but also some high-VOC
sealants. (See the compliance example below for paints and coatings.)
v0e
E$d&e! Meth*d: paint$ and Cr:;tings
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LEED 2OO9 CI
Page 4
themselves, and simply need a low-emltting finish, which is unlikely to have much of a cost premium. V/ith
higher-end flooring products, the cost of credit-compliant and non-compliant products should be comparable
for all types of flooring.
4.
Durability and performance of flooring materials that are compliant with this credit should not be an issue,
compared with conventional materials.
5.
Carpeting 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 durabillty as part of your design-hard-surface flooring offers better durability than carpet.
FloorScore Iists a few compliant products on its website, but a limited number of manufacturers that have
6.
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.
Resilient flooring, rubber flooring, ceramic tile, and prefinished wood flooring all must be FloorScorecertified. Wood, concrete, and other flooring installed raw need not be certified, but all coatings and finished
applied to them must meet the requirements of lEQc4.2: Low-Emittinq Materials-Paints and Coatinqs.
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LEED 2OO9 CI
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Page 2
LEED Cl 2009 IEQ c4.4 Low-Emitting Materials
Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products
Like most other low-emitting material credits, this credit is all-or-nothing.
Composite products and laminating adhesives can have no added urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. This credit
applies to the manufacturing of all composite materials and laminating adhesives used on the project (and
installed within the weather barrier), in contrast with lEQc4.1 and lEQc4.2 that only apply to site-applied
products. For this credit, there is no "VOC budget" option as there is with lEQc4. 1 and lEQc4.2.
UF is an inexpensive binder that is widely used in interior-grade particleboard, MDF, and plywood. lf you are
looking for products without UF, look for exterior-grade plywood (UF is not used there because it is not moistureresistant), or straw-based agrifiber panels (in which UF doesn't perform well as a binder).
Different kinds and sources of formaldehyde
Some woods have naturally occurring formaldehyde, so note that the credit does not address total UF content,
but added UF. To be compliant, products simply need to have no added urea-formaldehyde binders and glues.
Other types of formaldehyde binders-phenol and melamine-are allowed under this credit, as their
formaldehyde content is more tightly bound.
Do your research
Research credit-compliant products, including plywood, MDF, 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 composite wood, make sure to check the laminate adhesives used by
manufacturers in products such as countertops, doors, flooring and millwork that has adhered edging, Iaminates,
and veneers.
Don't use or choose products that merely claim to be "low-emitting." You have to find and submit documentation
that proves the project met the specific credit requirements.
Only 20o/o 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.
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LEED 2OO9 CI
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