Question on how to classify a Wood Ceiling product. We have a suspended wood ceiling system that is NAUF. However, it does not have CDPH testing completed. Are we able to document this ceiling system under Composite Wood category, or does it have to be included under the Ceilings category (therefore, would not be compliant due to not having CDPH testing)?
Per the reference guide Composite Wood category notes "for products not covered under other categories" . Does this mean we exhaust all other categories and this is a fall back for miscellaneous wood products?
Thank you!
Megan Leslie
Sustainability ConsultantStantec
25 thumbs up
November 29, 2022 - 2:44 pm
That is my understanding. A wood ceiling system is a ceiling and therefore needs to meet the VOC emissions requirements. Good luck!
Jerome Burrowes
Project ManagerAtkar North America (div of Archmill House Inc.)
1 thumbs up
November 30, 2022 - 8:09 am
This is a frustrating aspect of the latest LEED requirements. They've obviously been put in place with no industry consultation. As far as I am aware, there is only one composite core (Particleboard or MDF) manufacturer that has any CDPH testing for their fire rated cores (required for ceilings and most walls), and that is the Roseburg Medite FR. But even that test is more than 5yrs old, and I believe LEED requires the test to be less than 5yrs old. And from investigation, it doesn't appear that any of the composite core manufacturers are particularly interested in investing in that testing. So is LEED essentially trying to put wood ceiling & wall paneling out of business?
Denise Bevilaqua
HIGHLAND ASSOCIATES26 thumbs up
November 30, 2022 - 10:47 am
Iris, Hi.
You didn't mention if your ceiling is a custom "millwork" type of feature or a manufacturer's standard system. If it is the former, I think you could make a case for documenting the NAF/ULEF core material as compliant. If it is a purchased "system", I think you would need to classify it under the Ceiling category and document it has compliant emissions testing. You did say that it does not have CDPH testing, so presuming it is a purchased system, I am guessing that you have contacted the manufacturer directly - I have had success doing this when documentation is not readily apparent on their website. Also - if the wood ceiling in question is under 10% of your ceilings (by cost or surface area) and all other materials are Emissions compliant, you can take advantage of that threshold exclusion. (This of course means you will need to pursue Low Emitting under v4.1 criteria).
Best of luck!