Forum discussion

NC-2009 MRc7:Certified Wood

Millwork, and French translation

How does one account for FSC materials in millwork? The vendor has a list of dozens of millwork components. Does each component need its own FSC designation (Pure, Mixed, Mixed %) and extended price? Is there any way I can just document the millwork as one entity? It's 96.8% FSC certified. Also, the Quebecois vendor's list is written in French. Does the review team require translation?

4

You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?

LEEDuser is supported by our premium members, not by advertisers.

Go premium for $15.95  »

Fri, 12/16/2011 - 14:58

We are a commercial, architectural casework supplier. Typically when FSC wood is indicated in the specs all wood for that project is purchased to be certified. This means that every assembled cabinet, reception desk etc uses FSC wood and generally shares a like claim. If your supplier has purchased multple wood products, say plywood, particleboard, solid wood, each of these will have different claims from the mill. However, to meet the FSC's requirement the entire assembly will always be comprised of certified wood. For example, a certified cabinet should have an FSC box and FSC doors. If it is laminated or has a veneer, the box, doors and laminate/veneer will all be FSC certified. For the assembly the FSC claim will always be the lowest common denominator. So, if you have a piece of casework with a variety of woods, the one with the lowest claim is applied toward the FSC credit for LEED. For example, I have a cabinet made of particleboard FSC Mixed 80% with a solid wood door FSC Pure (100%) the total value for that cabinet can only apply 80% of its cost/value toward the LEED credit. If your invoice itemizes each item with a different claim and value per piece I believe you will have to make calculations per item; however, if your invoice has a lump sum that itemizes a grouping of cabinets (ours are like that) there should be one claim for the whole lot and one calculation to be made. If I understand your issue clearly, the project's purchase order price would be the assembled product value and is the single number you should use. 96.8% of that is the value that can be applied to MR7.

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 20:52

96.8% of the millwork is FSC certified. 3.2% is not. I've read elsewhere that "FSC does not allow partial claims of certified products, wood products with non-controlled wood components will not earn FSC certification. The entire product must be FSC-certified, Pure, Mixed (NN)%, or Mixed Credit to contribute towards the credit threshold for MR Credit 7." Does that mean the millwork won't qualify?

Add new comment

To post a comment, you need to register for a LEEDuser Basic membership (free) or login to your existing profile.