Can someone tell me some informations about using materials with VOC limits tested with testing method other than SCAQMD? for example like GEV - EMICODE E1? Does anyone have experience with VOC content declaration under LEED 2009 for C&S -IEQ c4? I'm looking for MAPEI and similar brand materials which use European test method and I would like to Know if their use is allowed under LEED 2009.
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Reinhard Oppl
Independent consultant on VOC issuesformerly with Eurofins Product Testing A/S
332 thumbs up
June 13, 2011 - 1:01 pm
LEED Italy requires VOC emissions to be in compliance with EMICODE EC1, no VOC content limit apply there. Any other LEED system requires VOC content limits that were taken from greater Los Angeles Basin regulation "SCAQMD". Up to now, low VOC emissions do not help there. But any product that is not only tested, but also licensed by GEV as being EMICODE EC1 will contain maximum 0,5% solvents. Even though test and calculation procedures differ from SCAQMD, in most cases this will translate into compliance with LEED and SCAQMD limit values for adhesives and sealants. Hoping this helps, else read more here: www.eurofins.com/leed-adhesives-sealants.
Petra Hajná
Sustainability ConsultantSkanska Czech Republic
189 thumbs up
June 17, 2011 - 5:47 am
Hi Alessio.
So far I didn't get far enough. I'm still looking for positive information regarding this issue. According to my opinion, if your project is going to be certified in LEED Italy certification system, then it requires compliance with EMICODE EC1, and not SCQAMD. So you should be fine with Mapei.
I'm still wondering about the possibility of accepting EMICODE in other countries as well...
Alessio Zampaglione
ArchitectsStudioAZA
45 thumbs up
June 20, 2011 - 12:38 pm
Thanks Petr,
our project is in Italy but we are following the Leed Core & Shell v.3 on USGBC, because actually we don't have in italy this version on rating system. Anyway if you find more information please let me know.
A
Habitech Distretto Tecnologico Trentino
LEED Services in Europe - Founding Member of GBC ItaliaHabitech-Distretto Tecnologico Trentino
78 thumbs up
June 21, 2011 - 3:18 am
Ciao Alessio.
I will reply you in English, also if we are italians.
This is a big issue and in these years we have discussed a lot with the manufacturers...LEED US asks for SCAQMD and not for the European standards as LEED Italia does, so for our projects registered under LEED US we should follow SCAQMD to be absolute certain of the compliance with the credit.
Moreover, there are some EU manufacturers that declare this compliance.
Reinhard Oppl
Independent consultant on VOC issuesformerly with Eurofins Product Testing A/S
332 thumbs up
June 21, 2011 - 5:41 am
You describe the situation as also I understand it. But I want to add that SCAQMD is using very bad test method (not suitable for many modern water-borne or 2-component products - you may even receive VOC content less than 0 mg/m³ with these test methods!), and it uses a strange calculation formula, looking only at the non-water portion of a product. Last draft of LEED 2012 (as of early this year) therefore will accept EU Decopaint Directive test results and limit values as equivalent. Let us see how the final version of LEED 2012 will look like. But this may not help you right today, I am afraid.
Alessio Zampaglione
ArchitectsStudioAZA
45 thumbs up
June 21, 2011 - 6:08 am
Ciao DTTN Habitech,
thank you for your good advices. Could you please send me the reference and information about EU manufacturers that you have?
Do you know if Mapei is one of those?