Does door and wall protection count as a wall finish?
Does it need to be listed on the IEQc4, Group 2 - Wall & Ceiling Finishes Table on the IEQc4 Form and have to comply CDPH/EHLB Standard Method v1.1?
Group 2 appears to focus on paints and coatings and indicates that ceiling tiles and wall coverings have to meet the requirements of CDPH/EHLB Standard Method v1.1.
Other than above does GBCI define what qualifies as a "finish"?
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
April 9, 2014 - 10:45 am
My understanding is that it does and partially was the reason they called it wall finishes and not paint and coatings. What is much less clear is how they measure the VOCs since the products aren't normally tested. Intuitively, impact resistant wallcovering shouldn't be emitting anything.
We could look at wallcovering standards. That may be later in the week for me. I do know we discuss emissions with the reps for that item (and I'm thinking of something more wall paper than impact wallcovering)(VWC and not IPC in our office parlance).
ETA: the IPC is a Wilmot nomenclature for Impact Protection Covering and is manufactured Acrovyn, Koroseal, Alpar, etc.
Catherine Blakemore
Architect, LEED AP BC+DHOLT Architects
32 thumbs up
April 9, 2014 - 1:40 pm
I agree with you. I understand that the adhesives used to install the IPC have to be considered.
I have one manufacturer that uses Berkeley Analytical for CDPH/EHLB Standard Method v1.1. However, their testing is out of date. They are currently being retested and do not have a timeline for completing re-testing since they are also taking into consideration requirement for LEED v4.
Another manufacturer uses Greenguard. Their products are compliant at least the ones needed for my project. However, there is a significant cost increase for these products.
I have to justify the cost increase to the Owner, if wall protection is considered a "wall finish".
Any recommendations?
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
April 9, 2014 - 4:55 pm
Have you looked into using the ACP via the v4 guidelines? I know I've gotten HPDs / EPDs for this product line in anticipation of v4.
Catherine Blakemore
Architect, LEED AP BC+DHOLT Architects
32 thumbs up
April 9, 2014 - 5:05 pm
Do you mean the alternative compliance path? Haven't gone that route yet and am still getting up to speed on LEED v4.
Per discussion with the manufacturer, whose product testing is out of date, they indicated that they did not retest per the 2010 standard because the revisions did not apply to their product. They submitted a letter explaining this, but LEED requires compliance with 2010 and their product is testing and in compliance with the 2004 test method. I'm not sure if they have and HPD or and EPD, cut I can certainly check.