Group 2 requirements for Gypsum Wall Board

Catherine Blakemore

Architect, LEED AP BC+D

HOLT Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

24 thumbs up

October 7, 2013

Does Gypsum Wall Board comply with the testing and product requirements of California Department of Public Health Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers version 1.1 (CDPH/EHLB Standard Method v1.1) modeled using the standard office building protocol parameters and certified as compliant by an independent third party?

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Susan Walter

HDR

LEEDuser Expert

894 thumbs up

Tue, 10/08/2013 - 18:04

I know I've seen gypsum board submittals with this testing information included during shops. Initially I wanted to say yes because it is part of the wall system. The credit language says that this testing applies to wallcovering. I'd say that the studs and the gypsum board are the wall and that items applied over the gypsum board is a 'wall covering'.

Catherine Blakemore

Architect, LEED AP BC+D

HOLT Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

24 thumbs up

Tue, 10/08/2013 - 22:52

That being said, I'm in agreement with you. The IEQc4-4 Table is not a drop down menu type...so the door is wide open in terms of what materials get listed. I would have assumed wall coverings to mean wall paper or paneling, which gets installed over the GWB. I asked the question because I see some GWB manufacturer's have had their products tested and some have not. From a design standpoint, specifying products that have been tested would be better than specifying those that have not.