Just noticed this line while reading the reference guide for the 10,000th time and it may have been overlooked by me previously, looking for any other thoughts/experiences/suggestions.
Under "Changes from LEED 2009" it states that "emissions requirements for on-site, wet-applied, full-spread products ... are now included. VOC content limits for on-site, wet-applied products are still required"
This implies to me that "non-full" spread interior on-site, wet-applied products, may have been exempt from the General Emissions evaluation criteria. What is the definitition of "full spread" products? Pipe sealants for example?
A search for any other references to "full spread" products didn't turn up anything except in Table 5 of Option 2 calculation guidance which also mentioned that only full spread adhesives and grout for flooring would be included.
I understand this topic has been discussed one too many times, but it seems that at one stage, there was intent to only include the VOC emissions criteria for products where it would make a large impact such as full surface paints and coatings. Not necessarily small quantity adhesives that are spot applied and would not affect the overall IAQ. Perhaps that is what the 90% threshold is allowing for, but that still requires much more detailed documentation and calculations to track overall volume.
Thoughts?
Reinhard Oppl
Independent consultant on VOC issuesformerly with Eurofins Product Testing A/S
329 thumbs up
October 17, 2017 - 4:28 pm
You ask for thoughts, here is one (but no guarantee for final wisdom :-) ) ...
My recommendation is first to look at the language of the credit, Option 2 (Budget calculation method), Equation 2. It goes for compliant surface area of the different layers, and it states: If 90% of an assembly meets the criteria, the system counts as 100% compliant. If a pipe is part of a wall, of a floor, or of a ceiling, then the contribution of a pipe adhesives in terms of surface area is such small that it should not be relevant for any such layer or for the assembly as such. If the pipe is installed open, meaning not within wall, floor or ceiling, then it is not covered at all by any of the mentioned assemblies. For that reason, I should expect that a pipe adhesive is not relevant in both cases and should not need any documentation of compliance as long as option 2 is selected.
A pipe adhesive has to be considered only if option 1 (Product Category Calculations) is selected - then you are right that you need a calculation by % volume of total volume of all applied adhesives.
Are there any more thoughts of other readers?
Debra a. Lombard
Construction Administrator/ LEED APBywater Woodworks, Inc.
47 thumbs up
October 17, 2017 - 5:09 pm
what happens is project's under LEED NCv2009 and VOC data from mfgr is only available as VOC emissions but not VOC in g/l. Mfgr says they don't have VOC's in g/l. Can I just use emissions VOC data instead? I am pretty sure the answer is NO but hope someone can say "yes".
Dalton Ho
5 thumbs up
October 17, 2017 - 5:34 pm
Reinhard, thanks and good point. I should have mentioned that I was focused on compliance via Option 1.
I agree that Option 2 would not assess the small surface area applications such as pipe adhesives. The more I think about it, I feel that including all these caveats for Option 1 would have made the tracking tool quite difficult to use, therefore they chose to just implement the 90% verbiage. I personally haven't completed a project that pursued Option 2 so I can't comment but I would expect that Option 1 with volumes tracked would be the least painful method of compliance.
Joanna Switzer
Sustainability Project ManagerAtkins
59 thumbs up
December 19, 2017 - 1:36 pm
Hi all,
Late response, but was researching this topic and noted the "Step-By-Step" Instructions of LEEDv4 BD+C does address this further, but not necessarily with greater clarity, focusing on Option 2...therefore, I'd agree all products should be logged under Option 1, with the specific "not-full spread" exemptions under Option 2 still warranting some GBCI clarification perhaps....based on current directive it seems as though floor products such as tile grout would be clearly excluded from Option 2 dictated area take-off calculations, however unclear how teams are to handle other applications/categories such as wall tile grout, drywall joint compound and misc sealants such as pipe/duct insulation adhesive products. Perhaps exclude, but be keep product data readily on file in case reviewers flag the omissions.
option 2. budget Calculation Method
"Step 1:
Break out assembly components for each category (flooring, ceilings, walls, insulation, and if applicable, furniture and exterior applied products).
· for each product in an assembly, calculate the surface area for typical wall, ceiling, and floor areas (see Further Explanation, Building Products and Systems).
· identify products that are full-spread, such as paint or carpet adhesive, according to the manufacturer’s documentation for application.
Step 2:
use Equation 1 in the credit requirements to calculate the total percentage compliance. Generate takeoffs and review estimates from subcontractors to calculate the surface area for each product. Equations 2 and 3 may be required to generate values for Equation 1. For assemblies, use the following guidelines:
if all layers of an assembly are compliant, the entire surface area (square footage or square meters) counts. Not-full-spread, wet-applied products are included in the definition of interior finish if they are installed on site.........."
Furthermore, the definitions at the end of the credit section only address this exemption for flooring, noting:
"interior floor finish - all the layers applied over a finished subfloor or stairs, including stair treads and risers, ramps, and other walking surfaces. Interior finish excludes building structural members, such as beams, trusses, studs, or subfloors, or similar items. Interior finish also excludes nonfull spread wet coatings or adhesives."