VOC limits

Unfortunately, the standard does not have a specific VOC level. This credit is not like the other low-emitting credits (IEQc4.1-4.4) where you can pick up a can of paint and easily see if it's compliant or not. You will need to do some research to find existing products that have already passed the testing standards. All of the following certifications are compliant for this credit: CA section 01350, GREENGUARD Children &Schools certification and Indoor Advantage Gold by SCS. Check out the LEED User Resources page for this credit to find links to these sources.

Shannon

The STANDARD PRACTICE FOR THE TESTING OF VOLATILE ORGANIC EMISSIONS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES USING SMALL-SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBERS (or CA 01350 as it can be called sometimes) has limits on breathable chemicals. Some of the other low-emission credits are actually based on VOC content. While looking for GREENGUARD Children & Schools or SCS Indoor Advantage Gold can be helpful, products can also prove compliance to this credit with a test lab report showing that the emission of 35 specific chemicals are below the limits.

Those limits are shown on page 37 here: http://www.cal-iaq.org/vocpublications?download=18%3Avoc_standard_method

I am running into the same type of question on the gypsum roof cover board that is directly under the waterproofing membrane but over the rigid insulation and roof deck. IEQ 4.6 addresses materials that might emit contaminates installed in the building interior of a school, However, It seems unlikely a thin layer of gypsum board essentually barricaded from the interior by rigid insulation, a wood or metal roof deck, and the ceiling system would have any impact on indoor air quality- just because it is under the waterproofing membrane.

I agree with your assessment Barry. If it is outside the roof deck I would say that it wouldn't have an effect on the indoor air quality, but I believe USGBC looks at it as if it is inside the 'weatherproofing barrier'. Therefore, they may be looking at the water proofing membrane as that barrier.