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FAQs about IEQc4.1 :

Is there a shortcut to the VOC budget method if you have just one product that is used minimally on a project?

Do products applied to the weather barrier need to comply with VOC thresholds?

How do I determine what application my product falls under?

How is VOC % less water determined for aerosol adhesives?

Do grout and caulking need to be included, and if so, what is the application category?

Our project didn't use some common adhesive types, and our LEED reviewer asked about this. Are we supposed to justify not using certain adhesives in our documentation?

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NC-2009 IEQc4.1:Low-Emitting Materials—Adhesives and Sealants

Aerosol Adhesives

The VOC content limit for aerosol adhesives is expressed as a percentage by weight per the requirements and per the LEEDuser FAQ above (though the link doesn't seem to work). Yet when I go into the EQ4.1 form to enter the aerosol product, the form tells me that I have to convert the aerosol VOC percentage back to a typical grams per liter value. First of all, why? Is this solely because the table on the form is geared for g/l and a percentage won't fit? If so, why is the compliance based on percentage if you're going to have to convert it anyway? I received g/l documentation first and requested the % documentation to make sure of compliance so I have both pieces of information. Thankfully since I don't know how to make that conversion. However, what is the limit then for that converted g/l value? The docs are telling me 64.8% VOCs and that complies, but the g/l provided is 497 g/l less water. That figure doesn't seem to comply with any limit I have. The form says I have to convert both the percentage and the limit, but provides no direction in either case. How is this done? And what justifies this effort if the percentage complies?

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Wed, 09/10/2014 - 17:55

Hi all, FYI, a kind GBCI reviewer has responded to me directly that there is indeed a form issue here with the table that they are apparently working on. She indicates that it is okay to put the percentage figures in both "g/l" boxes of the table and that the reviewer will understand. I very much appreciated the prompt response.
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Dwayne Fuhlhage
Sustainability and Environment Director
PROSOCO, Inc.
LEEDuser Basic Member
126 thumbs up

Wed, 10/08/2014 - 15:13

Aerosol adhesives are one of those oddball categories that slips through the cracks in LEED. In my opinion, they should be included as emissions sources in LEED projects. Their VOC contributions can be quite high. The devil in the details is that they are covered by an entirely different regulatory framework than architectural coatings and architectural adhesives. They instead live in their own niche in the California Air Resources Board consumer and institutional product aerosol rule. Fundamental VOC content is calculated differently based on the actual ozone formation potential of the carrier solvents. For coatings and sealants, VOC is a binary system where a solvent either does not have ozone formation potential or is assumed to be 100% ozone forming potential. http://www.arb.ca.gov/consprod/regs/regs.htm The acronym MIR stands for Maximum Incremental Reactivity. In some cases that means a solvent can make less than a 1:1 ratio of ground level ozone. In some cases, it can be much higher. http://www.arb.ca.gov/consprod/regs/2012/4mirtable50411.pdf The GBCI workaround is an okay approach and necessary to keep documentation flowing, but be aware that the g/L numbers for aerosols don't mean quite the same thing as in coatings or sealants. I imagine this will land in the IEQ TAG at some point.

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 21:06

Hello Michelle, I have the same problem here, the aerosol adhesive that we are going to submit indicates 53.3% VOC percentage (less than the allowed 55% considered for general purpose web sprays), but in the g/l the product contains 388 g/l, it exceeds all the adhesive categories, how did you documented the product? Or if anyone else had this same issue and can advice me with this product, it will be appreciated. Regards!

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 21:56

Hello LEED Consultant, I documented it as described by putting the percentage limit in the allowable and the product percentage into the actual columns of the table and making a comment in the Special Circumstances to indicate that is what I had done. The table allows entry into both cells once you select aerosol. As Dwayne explains, VOC content is calculated differently for aerosols so the g/l number can look high.
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Kathryn West
LEED AP BD+C, O+M, Green Globes Professional
JLL
LEEDuser Basic Member
112 thumbs up

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 18:41

Michelle, you're my hero. I am in the same pickle. Thanks for all the detailed info!!!

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