Hi, this is Josef Abboud with Atelier Ten.
An aspect of the VOC general emissions evaluation is unclear: the definition within the LEED reference guide for the general emissions test claims the manufacturer must state the range of VOCs after 14 days (336 hours), measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.1.
However, Section 3.8.6.1.2 of the CDPH v1.1-2010 indicates that an average time of 96 +/- 2 hours is sufficient for the full characterization of VOC emissions.
A manufacturer we're working with has a catalog of sealants tested up to 96 hours, which according to the definition in the LEED reference guide is non-compliant, but according to the CDPH is fine.
If anyone could please clarify how this should be handled, it would be very much appreciated.
Michelle Halle Stern
Senior Sustainability ConsultantGreenwood Consulting Group
120 thumbs up
May 22, 2015 - 10:51 am
Use 14 days per credit language. Excerpts from Standard Method:
Notably, the Standard Practice addressed testing, exposure modeling and
allowable limits for modeled indoor air concentrations at 14 days, based on the chemicals of concern listed by Cal-EPA (notably, chemicals with established Chronic Reference Exposure Levels or CRELs).
In this manner, the final VOC measurements determining the suitability of a
product are made after the specimen has been exposed for a total of 14 days. Fourteen days represents an early, but realistic, time for first occupancy after new building construction or major renovation. At the 14-day time point, the emissions of VOCs from most products primarily will be dependent upon the characteristic diffusion rate of the VOCs within the material and the concentration of the VOCs in the bulk material and should change slowly from day to day and from week to week.
Reinhard Oppl
Independent consultant on VOC issuesformerly with Eurofins Product Testing A/S
332 thumbs up
December 10, 2015 - 9:51 am
Hi. Sorry for being late. The 14 days include a 10 days conditioning period plus 96 h testing period. In total this gives the 14 days. That means that it is equivalent. Also just 14 days testing (=conditioning within the same test chamber as the actual test) can work.