Forum discussion

NC-2009 IEQc4.4:Low-Emitting Materials—Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products

IEQ 4.4 - does veneer apply ?

The credit language states: particle board, MDF, wheatboard, door cores, and laminating adhesive used for assemblies. We have a reconstituted teak veneer that will go on wood panels and doors. It sound slike it can be excluded but don't want to assume incorrectly

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Thu, 02/26/2015 - 17:24

The original intent was to any wood/agrifiber products which used adhesives to create a product that was not solid wood. But, the LEED Reference Guide authors decided to specifically exclude OSB as a composite wood, and therefore other products similar to OSB. Evidently, the organizations that represent OSB manufacturers decided that OSB was not a composite wood, and they somehow convinced the Reference Guide authors to agree with them. Your veneer should be exempt, but the laminating adhesive would not be exempt if the veneer is adhered to a door core that is a "LEED" composite wood.

Thu, 02/26/2015 - 17:33

Recommend getting clarification directly from the USGBC EQ TAG as this would conflict with responses I have received in the past regarding reconstituted veneer.

Thu, 02/26/2015 - 17:33

Sorry, Should have referred to EQ TAG-not MR TAG.

Thu, 02/26/2015 - 19:26

I was the vice-chair of the EQ TAG for four years. That said, the LEED rules change constantly. Veneers have been excluded. Laminating adhesives are always included if one side adheres to a "LEED" composite product.

Wed, 09/23/2015 - 15:07

Hi Hernando, Above you wrote "the LEED Reference Guide authors decided to specifically exclude OSB as a composite wood, and therefore other products similar to OSB. Evidently, the organizations that represent OSB manufacturers decided that OSB was not a composite wood, and they somehow convinced the Reference Guide authors to agree with them." Can you clarify this for us? Is OSB not required to meet the requirement for no added urea-formaldehyde? The Ref. Guide for EQc4.4 section "13. Definitions" for "Composite wood" says "...Examples include plywood, particle-board, oriented-strand board (OSB), ..." Thank you!

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