I am wondering how to categorize a seam adhesive product for vinyl sheet flooring -- specifically, Armstrong S-761. This product is designed to be applied at the joints between adjacent flooring sheets (a different product is used to adhere the sheet to the substrate).
The product application seems to meet the SCAQMD definition of sealant -- "any material with adhesive properties that is formulated primarily to fill, seal, or waterproof gaps or joints between two surfaces. Sealants include sealant primers and caulks". However, I am concerned that a reviewer may question the classification, partly because the manufacturer calls its product an 'adhesive' rather than a 'sealant'.
This product has a VOC content of 136 g/L. The product manufacturer classifies it as an architectural sealant (SCAQMD Rule #1168 limit = 250 g/L) and therefore claims compliance with this credit. The product would not comply with the lower VOC limits for most adhesive categories.
Does anyone have experience with this or a similar product on a LEED project?
FYI, the product information sheet is available here:
http://www.armstrong.com/assets/commflooringna/literature/downloads/F787...
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
August 3, 2012 - 3:53 pm
Hi Anders-This is a great example of how thorough one has to be when vetting low-emitting products! If the product data sheet says it's an adhesive, then that's how the GBCI is going to see it. I would ask for an alternative, and there are plenty out there. If that voids the warranty with Armstrong for any reason, then ask them to state on letterhead that their product is a "sealant." If they are unwilling to stand by that statement, then something is fishy.
Incidentally, you may want to reconsider specifying PVC flooring. PVC carries with it various human health impacts. Its component materials are bio-accumulative toxic by-products like dioxin, lead, various phthalates, or plasticizers, and heavy metal stabilizers. Throughout the life cycles of the versatile PVC products we use, their by-products, additives and precursors can lead to serious health impacts, among them, cancer, endocrine disruption, endometriosis, neurological damage, birth defects, impaired child development and reproductive and immune system damage. For further information, refer to these sources:
Environmental Building News, January/February 1994, Feature Article, Volume 3, Number 1, “Should We Phase Out PVC?” www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?filename=030101b.xml; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle; Healthy Building Network list of scientific data on PVC and its “Must Reads:” www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/must_reads.html and www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/resources.html; Joe Thornton, PhD, Environmental Impacts of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Building Materials, A briefing paper for the Healthy Building Network.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
August 3, 2012 - 4:42 pm
Initially I thought you were heat welding the floors but this is a glue and it is more of an adhesive than a sealant. The goal of using the product is to stick the edges of the flooring to each other. You are not welding the PVC to itself - that is a different process in my mind (and involves heating up a rod). You may need to push back on the flooring subcontractor. Armstrong may have another product you can use.
Anders Olson
Project Manager, LEED APBaseline Sustainability
32 thumbs up
August 6, 2012 - 11:32 am
Thanks for your replies, Marian and Susan.
Susan, as I understand it this seam adhesive product may be used as an alternative to the heat welding technique; Armstrong advertises it as a time and labor saving option.
Anders Olson
Project Manager, LEED APBaseline Sustainability
32 thumbs up
August 8, 2012 - 10:51 am
The fact that this adhesive is an alternative to PVC welding adhesives, which have a much higher VOC limit (510 g/L) makes this interesting: does it make sense that a seam adhesive product with 136 g/L VOC content would not comply with this credit, but a PVC welding adhesive with 500 g/L would comply, if these are alternative products for the same application (adhering vinyl sheet flooring seams)?