I would like to know if a product can be used in a project undergoing certification, however it contains an epoxy that I was told, cannot be measured for it's VOC content. So my question is:
Can 100% Solids Epoxy be measured for VOC content or would this be considered exempt?
The following methods of testing do not comply:
1) ASTM D 6886 – 12 Standard Test Method for Determination of the Individual Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Air-Dry Coatings by Gas Chromatography: the ASTM STD identifies the test results are for Air-Dry Coatings and this test method is not suitable for the analysis of coatings that cure by chemical reaction. The epoxy in this case, uses chemical reaction.
and
2) ASTM D 2369 – 10 Standard Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings: This test method describes a procedure for the determination of the weight percent volatile content of solventborne and waterborne coatings. In this case the epoxy is not solventborne and waterborne.
Will this product therefore be exempt?
Thanks!
John-David Hutchison, LEED AP BD+C, PMP
Sustainability ManagerBGIS
LEEDuser Expert
166 thumbs up
August 12, 2014 - 1:40 pm
You could ask the question to USGBC, but they don't make alot of exemptions that I have seen.
It would be easier to find a compliant epoxy, they are available.
Dwayne Fuhlhage
Sustainability and Environment DirectorPROSOCO, Inc.
169 thumbs up
August 12, 2014 - 2:08 pm
For LEED 2009, demonstration of compliance with referenced CARB or SCAQMD coating regulations are sufficient. The regulation does not require testing to determine VOC content. It can be calculated based on supplier information and is subject to legal enforcement by either method. Two part products have specific testing requirements.
That said, if your supplier has no idea what a VOC regulation is or how to calculate VOC content, doesn't know how to comply in California, or doesn't understand LEED credit conformance and likely submital requirements, another supplier may be a safer option.
Jon Clifford
LEED-AP BD+CGREENSQUARE
LEEDuser Expert
327 thumbs up
August 12, 2014 - 4:48 pm
Dwayne – Judging from the recent flurry of similar LEEDuser postings, Roberto’s difficulties obtaining valid VOC data for projects outside the US are increasingly common.
Roberto Meza
Sustainable Building ConsultantSPHERA Sustainable Building Consultants
62 thumbs up
August 12, 2014 - 4:58 pm
Thank you John and Dwayne for your advice! That is correct Jon! Here in Central America, many local companies still do not have this information and we are trying to find a way on how to obtain it.
Jon Clifford
LEED-AP BD+CGREENSQUARE
LEEDuser Expert
327 thumbs up
August 12, 2014 - 9:19 pm
Roberto – We faced similar issues a decade ago, when LEED was new to the central United States, and VOC regulations only applied in Southern California and a few East Coast cities.
At that time, many companies only published VOC data where local laws required them to do so. Marketing agents were often evasive and suspicious of our inquiries. Once, I found myself in a conference call with the legal department of a major U.S. chemical company simply because I dared to ask the VOC content of one of their products.
Often, it was difficult to contact chemists that could understand what we were asking for and why. On a few occasions, we found that we could call non-emergency technical support phone numbers printed on Manufacturer's Data or Material Safety Data Sheets to reach the technicians who could answer our questions.
In any case, your only solution may be to make it clear that your project refuses to purchase from manufacturers that fail to provide valid VOC data and that unwilling companies will lose business to competitors who can provide the required information.