Forum discussion
NC-v4 EQc2: Low emitting materials
Hi All,In LEED v4 and 4.1, is there a limit on the VOC content of aerosol adhesives, and if so what is it? What is the applicable standard or regulation that governs aerosol adhesives, and within the applicable standard or regulation, what's the VOC category?
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Are throw rugs subject to the credit requirements?
What are the adhesives and sealants to be included in the documentation?
Is there a VOC budget method for this credit?
What are the limits on the VOC budget method?
Do products applied to the weather barrier need to comply with VOC thresholds?
If one part of my multicomponent wall system is not compliant, can I still get full credit?
Debra a. Lombard
Construction Administrator/ LEED APBywater Woodworks, Inc.
46 thumbs up
February 12, 2020 - 12:05 pm
This info link is relevant to aerosol adhesive reporting for v4.1 Schools:
https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/forum/ieq41-aerosol-adhesives-conversion
Laurie Winter
February 12, 2020 - 3:44 pm
Debra, Yes, I did see that link before posting but I'm not sure whether it's relevant to LEED v4 or V4.1. It's posted in the 2009 forum for IEQc4.1and I haven't come across any verified information to indicate it is acceptable to use that method for converting % to g/L. Also it doesn't answer how to classify them. In NC 2009 we could use GS-36 for aerosols but that option seems to be removed; I was hoping I had overlooked the option to use GS-36 for v4/4.1 projects.
Olga Yuil
Green Building Consultant20 thumbs up
August 28, 2023 - 10:24 pm
Hi Laurie,
I have the same questions and doubts.
In LEED v4 and 4.1, do aerosol adhesives must be evaluated?
Did you find an answer or clarification for this matter?
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
495 thumbs up
August 29, 2023 - 8:19 am
The standards referenced by LEED v4/v4.1 do not specify VOC content limits of spray/aerosols. The reference standards have been written to pertain to wet applied products. I am not aware of any USGBC-published guidance on how to address spray/aerosol products. In similar situations I have found that GBCI will require all products/procedures not addressed by the reference standard must also adhere to the reference standard, so to be safe we also review spray/aerosol products when pursuing the paints/coatings & adhesives/sealants category.
I believe the reference standards have not been written to pertain to sprays/aerosols because their off-gassing is immediate, while wet applied products slowly off gas for the next several weeks/months.
Olga Yuil
Green Building Consultant20 thumbs up
August 29, 2023 - 3:44 pm
Thank you Dave.
Olga Yuil
Green Building Consultant20 thumbs up
September 1, 2023 - 9:59 am
This is an answer for the same inquiry sent to the GBCI:
Thank you for your email regarding EQ credit Low-emitting materials.
Yes, in both LEED v4 and v4.1, spray/aerosol paints applied on the building interior during construction would be included in the Low-Emitting Materials Calculator if the project is pursuing the Paints and Coatings product category. Outdoor-applied paints would be excluded from this credit.
Currently, the Low-Emitting Materials credit applies to everything within the waterproofing membrane, which would include aerosols, if used. Since there is no applicable VOC content limit for aerosols in the referenced standards, even though they are wet-applied adhesives/sealants or paints/coatings, it is unclear whether and how to include them in the calculation. The USGBC has not published guidance verifying that aerosols are exempt from the VOC content requirements and/or the VOC emissions evaluation requirements; therefore, we do not believe it is safe to assume the exception from one or both of the requirements.
If this affects compliance and the project team would like to seek a formal exception, a Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR) request may be submitted. Please refer to the Help content on this topic on the USGBC website (http://www.usgbc.org/help/how-do-i-submit-project-credit-interpretation-ruling-cir) for instructions. Please note, that you cannot submit attachments with CIRs at this time. However, you can upload the pertinent document/s to the relevant credit form and note the name and location of the file/s in your CIR inquiry. The inquiry reviewer will then be able to access and review the document there.