Hello,
Our team is currently working on a CI project going for IEQ 4.5. We are in the stages of the submittal process and just recently a submittal for auditorium seating came in. Although the manufacturer's product is not Greenguard certified, the Product Data states that the auditorium seating's fabric finishes (done by another manufacturer) are Greenguard certified. This is only one component of the auditorium seat and I would like to know if this is all it takes for it to be in compliance with IEQc4.5.
Akos Brandecker
Director of SustainabilityLiving Building Consultancy
11 thumbs up
January 21, 2015 - 10:42 am
Hi Kai - The credit requires fully assembled furniture to comply with the requirements. Having individual pieces certified/ pass requirements does not mean that the whole furniture complies.
In this case I would send a finished seat for a CDPH Section 01350 compliant testing to demonstrate compliance. Alternative you could try putting together a narrative on why your auditorium seating doesn't fall under this credit but I doubt it would be accepted.
Michael Smithing
Director - Green Building AdvisoryColliers International Ltd.
304 thumbs up
January 21, 2015 - 8:40 pm
I'm not sure I agree with Akos - typically auditorium seating would not fall under the credit requirements as it is not "systems furniture." If the project has a substantial office component and thus has significant systems furniture installed then the auditorium seating would likely fall outside the credit. If you've got an educational facility with minimal systems furniture installed then the intent of the credit would likely not be met if this furniture is not certified.
Akos Brandecker
Director of SustainabilityLiving Building Consultancy
11 thumbs up
January 22, 2015 - 1:10 pm
Hi Michael - I agree it is a very grey area. In my interpretation, auditorium seating in an office environment can fall under ‘task seating’ if it is only used by employees. Also some products are specifically marketed and sold for office environments which makes it even harder to decide.