Hello all,
We are working on a project in Europe and trying to achieve the EQ Low-emitting material credit.
Regarding some materials we have some doubts about the limits to consider the COVs:
We have concrete slabs for the floors of the building, according to LEED concrete is a inherently non-emitting material if it does not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, or sealants.
According to that, our concrete is an non-emitting material because it does not include surface coatings, binders, or sealants. However, the concrete includes some admixtures to alter its properties when it is prepared (water, aggregates, cement, admixtures...). What about those admixtures? Is it necessary to include them in the calculations? We thought that maybe the credit is more focused on final materials than on material ingredients, which is hard work to achieve.
Besides, regarding the fluid admixtures, we only could find them (Concrete curing compounds or Concrete surface retarders) regulated by the CDPH Standard Method and the Rule 1113 standard, nothing in EU regulations which are of application in this project.
Any help on this?
Thank you all in advance.
Regards.
Joseph Snider
PrincipalIntegrative Sustainability Solutions
51 thumbs up
April 16, 2021 - 11:31 am
Hi - We have been digging deep on concrete floors ourselves recently, and between LEED user and other reserach we have generally come to the following. NOTE - we are pursuing under v4.1 and would highly recommend you looking at that as an option for low emitting materials. We feel the guidance is clearer and thresholds more achievable under 4.1.
Please don't take all of that at gospel...we have projects still working through reviews right now, so will learn more along the way, but that is what we think is the case right now.
Gregor Braugman
Sustainability Specialist7 thumbs up
May 13, 2021 - 5:57 pm
Instra,
I think that Joseph gave a great answer however I would make one possible correction if you haven't already submitted.
We've submitted dozens of v3 projects without submitting the admixes. I don't think that has changed in v4 (or v4.1).
Of course as Joseph said, don't take that as gospel but that has been our team's experience.
Joseph Snider
PrincipalIntegrative Sustainability Solutions
51 thumbs up
May 14, 2021 - 12:53 pm
Hi Gregor! Thanks for that follow up...that is great to know about the ad mixtures.
Simon Joubert
Terao2 thumbs up
June 3, 2021 - 5:17 am
Dear Joseph,
For one of our project (logistic platform), we have intermediate slabs without any additionnal flooring ceiling products. We want to apply for option 2 - budget calculation for this project. you said concrete slab is not a flooring but a structure element. but in our case, it is the product in contact with the indoor air. so it is very nice to have concrete to avoid VOC inside the space. Do you think we can still consider it in budget 2 (V4.0 project).
Best regards,