Does the "Composite Wood Evaluation" address shop-applied laminating adhesives used in composite wood assemblies like millwork? I've searched this forum, Ref. Guide, and the CARB reference standard but didn't find any clues.
Obviously any field-applied adhesives used by millworkers must meet VOC content and VOC emissions testing, but it's not clear if shop-applied adhesives are still covered as they were in v2009 (and if so, how?)
Many thanks!
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Landry Watson
Assistant Vice President - SustainabilityAlexandria Real Estate Equities
29 thumbs up
July 31, 2017 - 2:46 pm
Craig, let's assume that v4 is at least as stringent as v3 and that any laminating adhesives should be at a very minimum NAUF, but clearly could be ULEF, NAF or...even seeing products listed as formaldehyde-free (although the CARB ATCM doesn't acknowledge that term). Can anyone add clarity or have a response from GBCI yet?
I'll also add the complexity to the question that since TVOC reporting applies to all on-site, wet applied, inside the weather barrier -- Are then contact adhesives exempt from TVOC reporting per CDPH 2010 method? And would be compliant so long as they report VOC content lower than SCAQMD 1168 limits? thanks folks!
Ryan Harrington
7 thumbs up
December 14, 2018 - 12:27 pm
This is a good question, running into a similar situation. Doing a SIPs building where they use laminating adhesive to bond the foam to the OSB at the SIPs factory not the construction site. That being said the credit seems very clear, adhesives applied on site need to meet the general Emissions eval (TVOC) and VOC content. SIPs is built off site at a factory so I would conclude the laminating adhesive is exempt from the reporting requirement. But I would still need to report the foam TVOC, and the OSB NAUF plus any sealants and mastics used to glue the SIPs panels on site.
Same idea should apply to millwork, if the shop is bonding the plam to the substrate off site and not on site then that adhesive is not applicable to this credit.
I would love to hear any opinions on this.
Craig Graber
Associate DirectorAtelier Ten
23 thumbs up
December 14, 2018 - 4:16 pm
Ryan, you may be able to exclude the SIPs completely from the EQ Low-emitting credit because they are most likely not inside the weatherproofing barrier. For millwork (which would be interior and covered under the credit), we're being conservative (as recommended by Landry above) and assuming that shop-applied adhesives with composite wood assemblies must be at least NAUF as previously required under v2009.
Debra a. Lombard
Construction Administrator/ LEED APBywater Woodworks, Inc.
47 thumbs up
December 14, 2018 - 5:14 pm
I saw a LI for v 4 that says structural wood does not need to meet low emissions for composite wood. I thought I saw for v2009 that any composite wood products even made offsite in a shop ie. fixed cabinets need to be low emitting, NAUF, for the credit in v2009. But I can't seem to find that language now.
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
522 thumbs up
December 14, 2018 - 6:05 pm
Though v4 can be maddeningly ambiguous and doesn't necessarily build on our understandings of the previous rating systems, our current understanding is that composite wood is limited to medium density fiberboard, particleboard and hardwood plywood. And that's all. So I would agree the SIPs are excluded due to the OSB. Foam has never been included in the adhesive credit. Likely would be if you were going for the walls category. Off-site adhesives are not included whether laminating or not in v4 and urea is irrelevant. v4 is about no formaldehyde at all or ultra low formaldehyde. Shop applied laminating adhesives are included in LEED 2009 EQc4.4 as a no urea issue.