How does one document use of a ULEF melamine in LEED Online? There is only a check box for "Product Contains No Added Urea-Formaldehyde". If that is checked for a ULEF product, it would be inaccurate, but that is only way for the form to recognize credit achievement. Must we use the Alternative Compliance Path section? Thanks.
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Erica Downs
LEED ConsultantThe Green Engineer
254 thumbs up
August 23, 2016 - 1:03 pm
Just following up -- anyone been through this documentation process and have some advice? Thanks!
Deborah Lucking
Director of SustainabilityFentress Architects
LEEDuser Expert
258 thumbs up
September 26, 2016 - 4:57 pm
Erica,
Check the box, and upload the ULEF information under alternate compliance. There is a LEED Interpretation that addresses this as an acceptable means of meeting the credit intent. I'll have to dig around for the link to the LI. (Will edit this post to add, once I find it.)
Justin Southwick
BuildingsGreened9 thumbs up
June 7, 2018 - 3:54 pm
This might be the Interpretation and interpretation that can work for ULEF melamine: ID# 10250
Debra a. Lombard
Construction Administrator/ LEED APBywater Woodworks, Inc.
47 thumbs up
September 5, 2018 - 11:59 am
our sub already bought & used for interior cabinets a UF based binder for hardwood plywood. I don't see anything about melanine on the binder's SDS so assume it's not a MUF binder. However the mfgr has tested the plywood and it meet Carb II & is ULEF. I have that test certificate.
Does this plywood that is Carb II ULEF but not MUF meet LEED NC v2009?
THANKS!
Deborah Lucking
Director of SustainabilityFentress Architects
LEEDuser Expert
258 thumbs up
September 5, 2018 - 1:01 pm
Being ULEF and meeting CARB ATCM 93120, will "contribute to IEQc4.4" (LEED NC v2009) per LI 10250.
Debra a. Lombard
Construction Administrator/ LEED APBywater Woodworks, Inc.
47 thumbs up
September 5, 2018 - 1:11 pm
https://www.usgbc.org/content/li-10250 says:
" If the composite wood product using MUF can meet the testing requirements and is found compliant with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) 93120 requirements for no-added formaldehyde based resins or the requirements for ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde resins (ULEF), the product can contribute to IEQ credit 4.4.
Previously, it was unclear how melamine fit within the scope of this credit. This ruling is intended to clarify how to address melamine, not prematurely adopt the LEED v4 credit language for composite wood.
...Therefore, composite wood products using other amino resins must meet the no added urea-formaldehyde requirements of LEED 2009."
So to me it looks like even if a plywood is certified to Carb II ULEF, the plywood only meets LEED per CIR IF has a MUF based binder as it states: "composite wood products using other amino resins must meet the no added urea-formaldehyde requirements of LEED 2009."
Brent Ehrlich
Products and materials specialistBuildingGreen
LEEDuser Moderator
33 thumbs up
September 5, 2018 - 2:22 pm
Yes, for 2009 a non-MUF composite wood product has to be NAUF or NAF. ULEF does not cut it, even if it meets CARB Phase II. For LEED v4, NAUF (or NAF) is not acceptable on its own. The wood has to be approved to meet NAF or ULEF emissions criteria (even if it contains small amounts of UF).