I am working on a retail project (like the schools rating system, the retail rating system also has this 'Ceiling and Wall Systems' credit option) that will have ceramic tiles installed on walls in restrooms and other areas. I am interpreting that the tiles would be considered wall coverings and therefore would be included under this credit.
My question is whether the tiles would need to be tested and shown to be compliant with CA Section 01350. By the letter of this credit I believe they would be. However, the 'Flooring Systems' option of this credit specifically exempts mineral-based flooring materials such as ceramic tiles, stone, etc. from demonstration of compliance (as long as they do not have organic coatings applied to them), presumably because it is known that these products emit no organic pollutants. The 'Ceiling and Wall Systems' option does not indicate such an exemption.
If ceramic tiles applied to a floor surface are allowed an exemption from a certification or testing-demonstrated compliance with 01350, I cannot think of a reason that ceramic tiles applied to a wall surface should not also be exempted.
A few ceramic tile products are Greenguard Children & Schools certified, but not many (and importantly, not the ones specified by the project I am involved with).
Does anyone have experience with this issue?
Josh Jacobs
Technical Information & Public Affairs ManagerUL Environment
515 thumbs up
June 19, 2012 - 9:41 am
Anders,
As you mentioned there are some tiles out there that show compliance to this testing already. You are also correct that these products are inherently non-emitting (if nothing is added after the production). With all of that said I believe that the USGBC ruling for flooring would cover the wall and ceiling tile if you choose to utilize it.
Randal Carter
Director, Global Product Safety and ComplianceSteelcase Inc.
91 thumbs up
June 19, 2012 - 11:51 am
The LEED v4 (LEED 2012) draft requirements for low-emitting interiors expand the list of inherently non-emitting materials to address walls, ceilings, and furniture in addition to flooring. This has been consistently part of all four public comment versions and has been available as a pilot credit. This history provides a precedent for you to cite when using ceramic tiles for your project, without supporting test results or certification.
You can see the 4th public comment version at this link:
https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=18939
The low-emitting interiors credit starts on page 62, the key language is on page 64 and states in part:
Inherently nonemitting sources. Products that are inherently nonemitting sources of VOCs (stone, ceramic, powder-coated metals, plated or anodized metal, glass, concrete, clay brick, and unfinished or untreated solid wood flooring) are considered fully compliant without any VOC emissions testing if they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, or sealants.