The simplest way to meet this credit is to make sure that all your carpet, carpet padding, and carpet adhesive meet the standard designated in the credit requirement. Carpet is required to meet the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label Plus program, carpet pad only needs to meet the CRI’s Green Label program, and carpet adhesives need to have a VOC maximum of 50 g/L. , Compliant carpet and carpet padding is readily available at minimal or no cost premium. This credit does not cover any other flooring types, aside from carpet. So, if your project just has a little bit of carpet the credit requirements are even easier to meet. 

Both designers and contractors have to understand the rules

While this is a construction-phase credit—and the contractor will need to ensure that carpet, padding and VOC-compliant adhesives have been purchased and installed—it can be dealt with primarily during the design phase by choosing specific manufacturers and products for the contractor to use. Allocating adequate time for product research, and identifying compliant carpet products before construction begins, helps to ensure that the right products are used. 

Make sure the contractor and subcontractors know what information to look for. Don’t allow them to use products that merely claim to be low-VOC. Find the manufacturer’s data stating that carpets are Green Label Plus and carpet padding is Green Label certified.

You’ll have to document flooring adhesives twice—once for EQc4.1 and again for this credit. Enter the same VOC data for flooring adhesives in the LEED submittal template for EQc4.1, and EQc4.3. 

Product cut sheets don’t need to be uploaded for credit documentation but it is best to keep all product cut sheets on file in case the credit is audited.

Not just about carpet

Although the credit requirements only address carpet, you can still earn this credit even without carpet.  There is a CIR (7/31/09) allowing an alternative compliance path by installing flooring products that meet the California Department of Health Services (DHS) Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers, including 2004 Addenda. The FloorScore program, which has certified many different products and product types, meets the California standard, and can be used to earn this credit.

What about walk-off mats?

Project teams often ask whether walk-off mats included for EQc5 must comply with EQc4.3. USGBC has advised LEEDuser that while the v2.2 reference guide suggests that carpet used for EQc5 should be considered under EQc4.3, there is no official language or ruling on the topic. That leaves it up to individual projects to get a CIR, a LEED Interpretation, or just wing and see what happens. Some projects have been successful without including these mats, while some have used mats that meet the requirements.