Dear all,
We don't quite understand what this means: "An alternative compliance path using FloorScore is acceptable for credit achievement: 100% of the non-carpet finished flooring must be FloorScore-certified and must constitute at least 25% of the finished floor area."
A previous bullet says that "all hard surface flooring must be FloorScore certified", so I don't see how this is different from "100% of the non-carpet flooring must be FloorScore certified".
Can anyone help us to interpret that?
Thanks!
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
January 4, 2013 - 1:21 pm
Check to see if there is an addenda for this credit language. Essentially, they are saying that there is an alternative compliance path for hard surface flooring that does not carry a FloorScore certification. Certain kinds of linoleum are not FloorScored certified but do qualify through the alternative compliance path. They way it is written sounds like a hold over from v2.2 that was modified in a CIR.
Lauren Sparandara
Sustainability ManagerGoogle
LEEDuser Expert
997 thumbs up
January 4, 2013 - 7:03 pm
Hi Marcio,
I agree that it is confusing. Like Susan suggested, I'd also suggest taking a look at the latest addenda: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=19222
In that version, the language is clearer for FloorScore products:
"All hard surface flooring installed in the building interior must meet one of the following requirements:
• Meet the requirements of the FloorScore standard (current as of the date of this rating system, or more stringent version) as shown with testing by an independent third‐party.
• Demonstrate maximum VOC concentrations less than or equal to those specified in 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, using the office scenario as defined in Table 7.5 within the
practice.
• Maximum VOC concentrations meet the California requirements specified above based
on the following:
o California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method V1.1‐2010 using
test results obtained at the 14 day time point
o Projects outside the U.S. may use the German AgBB/DIBt testing method and all
testing methods based on AgBB/DIBt method (GUT, EMICODE, Blue Angel) using
test results obtained at the 3 day or 7 day or 14 day time point. For caprolactam, if
test results obtained at the 3 day or 7 day time point is used, the emission
concentration must be less than ½ of the concentration limit specified above
because the emission may not have peaked at the measured time points.
If a European testing method (AgBB/DIBt GUT, EMICODE, Blue Angel) had used parameters for calculating test
results different from those specified in the referenced California method, then the European test results for
carpets or floorings need to be converted into California air concentrations by multiplication with 0.7.
Mineral‐based finish flooring products such as tile, masonry, terrazzo, and cut stone without integral organic‐
based coatings and sealants and unfinished/untreated solid wood flooring qualify for credit without any IAQ
testing requirements. However, associated site‐applied adhesives, grouts, finishes and sealers must be compliant
for a mineral based or unfinished/untreated solid wood flooring system to qualify for credit."