We have a project installing solid wood, (untreated) for the window sills & some baseboards. The reference guide indicates the sills & baseboards would fall under the "walls" category (I think), which then might even follow the "built in cabinetry" (I think). Regardless, how does one treat this for emissions criteria? I doubt that it had emissions criteria at all, but it seems like a grey area in a way. Some of the sills are at floor level, while some are about regular height. Since the ceilings/walls/thermal/acoustic insulation category needs to be met 100% of all products, this one would ding us that category. Does anybody have experience with how to categorize this product or are we doomed without it having emissions testing? Thanks!
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Larissa Oaks
Specialist, LEEDUSGBC
LEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
July 10, 2017 - 2:34 pm
Hi Alara,
Good question, there is an exclusion from the emissions testing if the product is an inherently nonemitting source. The rating system language currently lists "untreated solid wood flooring" as an option for this exclusion.
We are working to clarify any untreated solid wood, not just flooring, is also acceptable under this exclusion.
here is the current requirement:
Inherently nonemitting sources. Products that are inherently nonemitting sources of VOCs (stone, ceramic, powder-coated metals, plated or anodized metal, glass, concrete, clay brick, and unfinished or untreated solid wood flooring) are considered fully compliant without any VOC emissions testing if they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, or sealants.
Alara Brinton
9 thumbs up
August 8, 2017 - 3:47 pm
Hi Larissa,
Thanks for the reply. Is there any chance that other untreated solid wood could be allowed in the next 4-6 months or the next addenda? It's a shame to lose out on the point for that category due to timing. I suppose we could also request a CIR, but we aren't in a huge rush to certify at this time either.
Thanks,
Alara
Larissa Oaks
Specialist, LEEDUSGBC
LEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
August 8, 2017 - 4:25 pm
Alara, yes, we are targeting publishing the clarification in the October addenda. In the meantime you could submit the approach via the special circumstances section of the form.
Alara Brinton
9 thumbs up
August 8, 2017 - 4:36 pm
Thanks Larissa!!!
RETIRED
LEEDuser Expert
623 thumbs up
October 5, 2017 - 5:15 pm
Hi Larissa and Alara - I don't see a Correction in the new items for the October quarterly release of addenda in the database - https://www.usgbc.org/leed-interpretations - for this solid wood issue. Maybe January 2018?
But there is a new LEED Interpretation related to structural wood though - https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10466.
Alara Brinton
9 thumbs up
November 1, 2017 - 4:12 pm
Hi Michelle,
I did see the interpretation for structural wood..step in the right direction! but nothing for solid wood. Hoping for January 2018, otherwise this could delay our submission by several months if we want to achieve the credit category, though we might take Larissa's suggestion and submit the approach via the special circumstances section of the form in the mean time!
Alara
Debra a. Lombard
Construction Administrator/ LEED APBywater Woodworks, Inc.
46 thumbs up
November 1, 2017 - 4:45 pm
Will the October 2017 addenda include any changes to LEED NC v2009?
Thanks!
RETIRED
LEEDuser Expert
623 thumbs up
November 1, 2017 - 5:13 pm
Debra - Please read about the limited October 2017 Quarterly Addenda release at https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/tipsheet/essential-leed-interpretatio.... My understanding from March 2013 was LEED 2009/v3 addenda releases were moving to semi-annually (April and October) but LIs would still be published quarterly; however, there weren't any substantive Corrections for 2009/v3 in the October 2017 Quarterly Update.
Alara Brinton
9 thumbs up
November 2, 2017 - 4:26 pm
Hi All, I just noticed that the online reference guide has been revised under the "Language" tab regarding inherently nonemitting sources (in BD+C)...but elsewhere still states flooring. Thought my problem was solved. The reference to flooring seems to have been removed, but I don't see a rating system correction in the addenda. "Inherently nonemitting sources. Products that are inherently nonemitting sources of VOCs (stone, ceramic, powder-coated metals, plated or anodized metal, glass, concrete, clay brick, and unfinished or untreated solid wood are considered fully compliant without any VOC emissions testing if they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, or sealants." Alara
Larissa Oaks
Specialist, LEEDUSGBC
LEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
November 2, 2017 - 4:52 pm
Hi Alara, sorry for the confusion. The online guide was prematurely updated, we have fixed this mistake and it is now reflecting the original language.
We are still considering this change, with new target Jan 2018 addenda release.
In meantime, If you plan to submit for review, I do recommend you submit this as a special circumstance.
RETIRED
LEEDuser Expert
623 thumbs up
January 9, 2018 - 7:01 pm
This was fixed in the January 2018 Quarterly Addenda Release! See Rating System (and Reference Guide) Correction ID #100002195 in the Addenda Database - https://www.usgbc.org/leed-interpretations.
My summary of the overall release will be posted later this month at https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/tipsheet/essential-leed-interpretatio....