I've been researching mirror mastic. I have a LEED letter from one manufacturer, which manufactures a 230 g/L mirror mastic, which states "... neither products fits in a specific category for adhesives under [SQACMD 1168] ... For products that do not have a specific category, the VOC limit is 250 g/L as noted in Rule 1168 (c) (1) ..." The referenced SQACMD paragraph states: (c)(1) "Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (c)(2), a person shall not apply any adhesives, adhesive bonding primers, adhesive primers, or any other primer, which have a VOC content in excess of 250 g/L less water and less exempt compounds. " This rule covers a lot of ground for people struggling to put their square peg into the round hole of SQACMD. Be careful, through, because if ANY of their more restrictive categories are listed as a use on the product data, that more restrictive rule applies. I can't find any reference to mirrors or glass in rule 1168, except "Structural Glazing Adhesives" which are only applied to exterior situations, so I'm going with "No Specific Category" unless someone can steer me right. What [random adhesive] are you trying to fit into SQACMD?

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Jon Clifford

LEED-AP BD+C

GREENSQUARE

LEEDuser Expert

261 thumbs up

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 00:35

Lawrence—Your interpretation matches mine. Other adhesives that fall into no specific category are epoxies used affix anchors into concrete and glues used with solid surface or stone panels. Unfortunately, the last I knew, the LEED-Online IEQc4.1 form still does not allow you to enter "No Specific Category." (I’m looking at the LEEDv3 form marked “Version 4.0.”) I have pointed this out before, and the GBCI may be working on a fix (see http://www.leeduser.com/comment/redirect/53630). Have they fixed the form yet?

Lyle Axelarris

Building Enclosure Consultant

BPL Enclosure

LEEDuser Basic Member

58 thumbs up

Fri, 02/13/2015 - 01:38

Is the 250 g/L you are referencing from a newer version of SCAQMD than the 2005 version that is adopted by LEED 2009? ... because I see a 750 limit for "other sealant primers" and a 420 limit for "other sealants" in the applicable version of SCAQMD which is shown in the LEED Ref Guide, but I do not see a 250 limit for "no specific category"

Jon Clifford

LEED-AP BD+C

GREENSQUARE

LEEDuser Expert

261 thumbs up

Fri, 02/13/2015 - 12:04

SCAQMD-1168, January 7, 2005, Paragraph (c)(1): "Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (c)(2) [the VOC limit chart], a person shall not apply any adhesives, adhesive bonding primers, adhesive primers, or any other primer, which have a VOC content in excess of 250 g/L less water and less exempt compounds."

Lyle Axelarris

Building Enclosure Consultant

BPL Enclosure

LEEDuser Basic Member

58 thumbs up

Fri, 02/13/2015 - 23:36

Thanks a lot, Jon. I've never dug that deep into SCAQMD. I'm surprised this catch-all limit has never made its way into the Ref Guide. Seems like an important oversight, no?

Lawrence Lile

Chief Engineer

Lile Engineering, LLC

LEEDuser Basic Member

59 thumbs up

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 19:18

Since the LEED Online form for adhesives and sealants still doesn't list a "No Specific Category" I have been cribbing by putting it under a category that has the same VOC limit. Architectural Sealant has a 250 g/l limit so that can be used as a catch-all.

Debra a. Lombard

Construction Administrator/ LEED AP

Bywater Woodworks, Inc.

LEEDuser Basic Member

42 thumbs up

Mon, 06/20/2016 - 17:17

The two mirror mastics that I found both contain carcinogenic ingredients, however they both meet the VOC limit of 250 g/L. One of the two is less toxic than the other and the more toxic product is specified for our project. It contains benezene. I'd prefer no one use either of these two products in the 4 enclosed bathrooms where we have substantial glass mirrors getting applied to the wall/substrate. The other contains di "isononyl" phthalate. Has anyone found a mirror mastic adhesive that does NOT contain any carcinogenic ingredients?? If so, please mention product & how well it worked. THANKS

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