Forum discussion
CI-v4 EQc2: Low emitting materials
Motorized and manual shades (such as Mechoshade) are in Division 12. Do they count as "stand-alone furniture items" that must be included in low-emitting materials calculations?
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Are throw rugs subject to the credit requirements?
What are the adhesives and sealants to be included in the documentation?
Is there a VOC budget method for this credit?
What are the limits on the VOC budget method?
Do products applied to the weather barrier need to comply with VOC thresholds?
If one part of my multicomponent wall system is not compliant, can I still get full credit?
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
June 3, 2019 - 3:55 pm
Hi Julie,
Since the LEED Glossary definitions and Interpretation database don't yield a clear answer, the only clue I could find is in the introduction to NSF/ANSI 336: Sustainability Assessment for Commercial Furnishings that says "the purpose is to address...furnishing fabric products, including woven, non-woven, bonded, and knitted fabrics for furniture upholstery, vertical window, panel system or wall treatments, and decorative top of bed applications..." Another similar purpose statement from NSF said:
"Such fabrics can be woven, non-woven, bonded or knitted, and they can be used for upholstery (e.g., office and hotel furniture), vertical (e.g., drapery or panel systems fabric) and decorative top-of-bed applications (e.g., bedspreads) in institutional, hospitality and office settings."
I don't think bedspreads are meant to be included. Upholstered furniture - sure. Panel and wall treatments - makes sense. Drapery? Not sure. Mechanically attached motorized and mechanical shades? My guess would be yes... what's your impression?
Julie Hendricks
PresidentSage Building Revival
163 thumbs up
June 3, 2019 - 6:19 pm
Thanks, David. I was leaning that way, too, and with a lot less evidence!
Allison Para
August 18, 2019 - 2:51 pm
I agree with you both. - AP
Allen Cornett
Sustainable ConsultantINSPEC Sustainability Group LLC
50 thumbs up
August 19, 2019 - 11:58 am
The LEED v4.1 description below includes window treatments in the Wall Panel category for Low-Emitting Materials:
Wall panels
At least 75% of all wall panels, by cost or surface area, meet the VOC emissions evaluation, OR inherently nonemitting sources criteria, OR salvaged and reused materials criteria.
The wall panels product category includes all finish wall treatments (wall coverings, wall paneling, wall tile), surface wall structures such as gypsum or plaster, cubicle/curtain/partition walls, trim, doors, frames, windows, and window treatments.
Removable/interchangeable fabric panels, built-in cabinetry, and vertical structural elements are excluded.
Both the Wall Panels and the Furniture categories in LEED v4.1 have the same VOC emissions evaluation, OR inherently nonemitting sources criteria, OR salvaged and reused materials criteria. I have been substituting LEED v4.1 requirements on LEED v4 projects for the BPDO and Low-Emitting Materials credits.