Dear all,
I submit this question to leedinfo@usgbc.org in November but I have not yet received a response so I ask you for help.
We have 2 problems with the low emitting materials calculator :
1) Since October it is possible to comply with composite wood evaluation being class A or A+ (French VOC emissions labeling) but this update is not available in the calculator. The only choices are ULEF, NAUF or salvaged or reused. Plus, the third party certifications and labels are not updated for VOC Content for wet-applied category too.
Is there an update planned for this 2 points ?
2) Then in the instruction tab it's explained that each layers of a product must have the same assembly name. But when we enter the same assembly name on two lines there is this error message: "warning each assembly must have a unique name". So could you explain us what is the requirement of Option 2 :
- that each layer have its own contribution, then the calculator performs correctly (each area layer is recognized in the same line in the summary tab)
- or that we count the contribution of the assembly product, made of different layer (in that case, each layer of a product is connected). In that interpretation, we think that the calculator doesn't work because of the error message and the problem to refresh the list.
Can we use our own calculator or must we use this one ?
Thank you
Michelle Halle Stern
Senior Sustainability ConsultantGreenwood Consulting Group
120 thumbs up
January 16, 2015 - 11:18 am
I don't see any reason why you can't upload your own calculator, as long as the required information is shown. You may need to fill in the special circumstances box in order to get proper credit. Please submit feedback online to USGBC, so that they can correct errors in the calculator.
Caroline PIN
In charge of environmental certification on a jobsiteEIFFAGE CONSTRUCTION
9 thumbs up
January 19, 2015 - 2:17 am
Here the GBCI reply : "... I did escalate the case and requested a status update from the department working on it."
Let's wait and see.
Thanks
Caroline PIN
In charge of environmental certification on a jobsiteEIFFAGE CONSTRUCTION
9 thumbs up
February 6, 2015 - 2:52 am
Hello,
Here the GBCI reply :
Regarding the first question, under Low Emitting Materials Option 2, the project team would select "General Emissions Evaluation" under the Emissions Criteria column within the Option 2 Budget Calculation Method section of the form, since the material is not inherently nonemitting. The applicable standard the project team would select in the pull-down is the ISO standard (under the General Emissions Evaluation section of the form) and the TVOC range should be entered in this section. Please reference the rating system language which states that "ISO 16000-3: 2010, ISO 16000-6: 2011, ISO 16000-9: 2006, ISO 16000-11:2006 either in conjunction with AgBB, or with French legislation on VOC emission class labeling," The French legislation cannot be used on its own, it must be used together with the ISO standard. The team should provide backup documentation to support the Criteria Met and the TVOC Range reported in the form.
The Composite Wood Evaluation section (columns AA and AB) does not have to be filled out, because the team is choosing to use the General Emissions Evaluation instead of the Composite Wood Evaluation under the Option 2 credit approach.
Regarding the second question, the project team can ignore the warning as it is a known glitch with the form. This error message should not prevent the calculator from being completed or calculating correctly. The team can include a narrative with the submission pointing this error out to the review team. We hope to have the glitch corrected in the next issue of this form, currently scheduled to be released in mid-April.
Michelle Halle Stern
Senior Sustainability ConsultantGreenwood Consulting Group
120 thumbs up
February 6, 2015 - 9:37 am
Thanks for sharing. I hope that was helpful.