ALL ceiling and wall components need to comply?

Linda - many people actually ask about what makes up a ceiling and wall component, so your team is having a normal reaction. In your example - unfinished metal (one that does not have a coating of any kind on it) would be exempt as it does not emit any VOCs. If someone is looking for justification of that, then you can point them to the new proposed Low-Emitting Materials Pilot Credit. If the wood is a composite wood (OSB, particle board, etc) piece then it would fall under EQc4.4, not EQc4.6. What I have seen most teams that get this do is ensure that their gypsum board (ceiling and/or wall), insulation (ceiling and/or wall), acoustical ceiling tiles (if that is what you are using), and wallcoverings (fabric, wallpaper, other) show compliance to the CA 01350 requirements (see above comment for link to it). Now if you are not using acoustical ceiling tiles and you are using something else - such as some formed wood - then that would need to show compliance as well as it is a piece of the ceiling that is exposed to the occupants.

Josh, In your reply you mentioned that unfinished metals without a coating of any kind would be exempt from this credit. What about ceiling accessories and grids that are factory finished? We're having trouble finding any information about how those elements fit into this credit. Has anybody else run into this confusion? Thanks!

When I was talking about metal being exempt it would be due to the new Pilot Credit 21 and its reference to unfinished metal being exempt from emission criteria. What I have seen most often needed for garnering this credit is the actual ceiling tiles, but I can certainly understand if a LEED reviewer reads the credit as looking for the complete system to have emission clearance testing.

Josh, thanks for the information in this credit area. Regarding your comment above that "If the wood is a composite wood (OSB, particle board, etc) piece then it would fall under EQc4.4, not EQc4.6" -- has this been an actual decision taken by reviewers of projects in which you have been involved? I am wondering because although this makes sense to me, it seems to be contradicted by a counter-example -- flooring adhesives and sealants. The reference guide indicates that flooring adhesives and sealants are to be included in both the 'flooring systems' option and the 'adhesives & sealants' option of the Low-emitting Materials credit. This example suggests that just because a product is included in one option of the Low-emitting Materials credit, this does not necessarily mean that it can be excluded from others that would otherwise be applicable. I am working on a retail project whose design includes fire-rated plywood as a protective wainscoting along a stocking room wall, and also as a wall component located inside the waterproof barrier in other areas. I am trying to determine whether these are to be included in the 'Wall and Ceiling Systems' option, partly because we are having difficulty identifying compliant products

Anders, I agree that the flooring credit (4.3) is written in a confusing way. I have seen buildings that have had it done both ways - adhesives included in 4.3 and 4.1 or just included in 4.1. So here is how I would see the criteria breaking down for your retail project. The wainscoting is part of the wall system and therefore all parts of it (including the plywood) would need to meet 4.6, but the part that is simply part of the building structure (water barrier) that would need to meet 4.4. The reason that I would say this is due to exposure to the indoor occupants - the wainscoting is in direct contact with the indoor environment, I'm guessing that the waterproofing barrier is not. I hope that helps you understand a little more the intention of the credit.

Thank you for your reply, Josh.

Josh, One more clarification -- the plywood being used as a wall component (not the plywood used as a wainscoting) -- is not acting as the weather barrier -- it is inside the waterproof membrane. As such, would this plywood be included in the 'Wall & Ceiling Systems' option? By the letter of the credit option, the plywood is not one of the named items covered by the credit -- "gypsum board, insulation, acoustical ceiling system or wall coverings." However, in terms of the credit intent, as an interior material this plywood would likely affect IAQ. Thanks.

Anders, You are correct - it isn't counted per the letter of the credit, but I could see a reviewer saying that since this is part of the wall it needs to meet this criteria. Now if the plywood is part of the base building, then it would probably fall under credit EQ4.4 and not 4.6.