Primers?

I have referenced the gloss ratings in determing if a paint is flat or non-flat. I haven't ever really addressed primers but I'd assume it's the same.

This is a pretty good reference: http://www.paintinfo.com/mpi/approved/sheen.htm

Gloss rating>5 is a non-flat paint.

Under LEED 2009, primers have been moved from meeting the GS-11 standard to SCAQMD Rule #1113. Based on the table, the allowable VOC content is 100 g/L.

Sott-- are you referring to floor coatings and primers? If so, that's correct, SCAQMD 1113 applies. According to the Addenda from August 2010, for interior flats/primer the limit is 50 g/l and for interior non-flats/primers the limit is 150 g/l. Please see Mara Baum's post of Aug 23rd, above, and the link to the Addenda, page 34:

http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6392

Anyone else want to weigh in?

Hmmm…This couldn’t be more confusing. There is a big clarification needed.

Under the credit requirement “primers” only show up as needing to comply with SCAQMD Rule #1113, not GS-11. But you’re correct, the tables and addenda (including the November addenda) list GS-11 as applying to primers also (50 g/L for flat and 150 g/L for non-flat).

I’m also basing my assumption on the 2/12/2010 “Major Changes from LEED-NC v2.2 to LEED 2009 NC” document which stated that primers were moved from Green Seal requirements to SCAQMD requirements.
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6700

However, the addenda didn’t replace the credit requirement text (on the first page of the credit) to include primers under GS-11, just the table.

I agree--very confusing, but I think the August 2010 Addenda trumps previously issued addenda. And you're right, they didn't replace the credit language on the first page. (It would be great to comply with the more stringent limit--100 g/l. That would be progress!)

Just thought I'd chime in with a little more information. On the LEED Credit Form for EQc4.2, the form tells you that the limit for primers is 200 g/L. Not sure if that helps or confuses because the Credit Forms are often in a Beta state but I thought it was important to share.

You're right, it's a BETA form. I'll do some digging and get back to you......

Just received this reply to my inquiry regarding the VOC threshold levels for EQ 4.2. I apologize if many of you already know this, but here's what I heard:

Rating System - NC 2009
Credit ID - IEQc4.2

My Inquiry: There has been great discussion on LEED User about the fact that there are 3 separate VOC content levels for primers that appear in various locations. This question has to do with the error (?) on the EQ 4.2 form, which states that the VOC threshold limit is 200 g/L. This is clearly wrong. The limit is 150 g/L and another source suggests that it's even lower, at 100g/L. Whatever the case, the form is wrong. Are there plans to fix it and let people know?

Response: We have upgraded the IEQc4.2 credit form to version 3.0 for this project. Please note that upgrading only this one credit can result in breakage in linking between the other project forms. You can see the latest version 3 forms available if you go to www.leedonline.com - "form update" under "Whats New". If you would like to upgrade any other additional credit forms, please contact us again and we will be happy to upgrade those credit forms for you.

An incomplete response--what other forms are linked; just the 4.3, I imagine--but nevertheless helpful.

Amanda, you can go to leedonline.com, click on What's New? - form update. The best way to obtain an updated form is by contacting GBCI and asking for a form upgrade.