Since hardware (locksets, closers, kickplates) is installed on a door, and a door is part of the Walls category, is hardware required in the Walls category? I am leaning towards 'Yes", but then I wondered how far I need to break it down.

I was considering grouping all hardware from the same manufacturer, and calling them out as compliant since they would be plated or anodized metal and thus would be inherently nonemitting sources. But then I started to think about weather stripping or anything that might have a gasket, etc. on it and wouldn't be complete metal. I am pretty positive I wouldn't get General Emissions certifications for those items, so maybe those "not completely metal" items get peeled away separately, are marked as non-compliant, and all the all- metal items are marked as compliant because they are inherently nonemitting sources.

We are responding to reviewer comments where some items in the MR Calculator were not included in the Low-Emitting Calculator, so anything we are adding to the Low-Emitting Calculator will only get one round of reviews - so I want to make sure I am as informed and "right" as I can be.

Any thoughts/experience with hardware and the v4 low-emitting credit? Thanks!

Post a reply

Deborah Lucking

Director of Sustainability

Fentress Architects

LEEDuser Expert

224 thumbs up

Fri, 02/14/2020 - 20:16

I'm looking at both v4 and v4.1 for this credit as it relates to walls (and doors). v4 does not even mention doors. Nonetheless, would the gasket, etc., be considered thermal and acoustic insulation? v4.1 does include doors in the "walls" category and lists materials that include doors and frames. It also states "removable/interchangeable fabric panels, built-in cabinetry, and vertical structural elements are excluded". Would gaskets and weather stripping be interchangeable as well? Would love to hear from others.

Debra a. Lombard

Construction Administrator/ LEED AP

Bywater Woodworks, Inc.

LEEDuser Basic Member

42 thumbs up

Fri, 02/14/2020 - 20:41

my 2 cents: Some door hardware manufactures are using metals such as silver or copper to control Bacteria &/or microbes on their hardware. Other Mfgrs use nothing. And still some door hdwe mfgrs. may use chemicals which need further study on their effect on IAQ. See these 2 links for food for thought: https://noharm-uscanada.org/sites/default/files/documents-files/3854/Antimicrobials%20Report%202016_1.pdf https://www.facilitiesnet.com/paintscoatings/article/Differences-Between-Antimicrobial-and-Antibacterial-Coatings--16471 https://www.cmmonline.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-antimicrobial-surface-coatings Debra

David Posada

Integrated Design & LEED Specialist

SERA Architects

LEEDuser Expert

1361 thumbs up

Fri, 02/14/2020 - 22:02

We wouldn't include all the mechanical elements in and on a wall such as electrical outlets, switches, plates/ covers, louvers, access panels... so my hunch would be to exclude door hardware. Including hardware seems to add a great deal of complexity to an already complicated credit, and adds minimal benefit, especially since most of those items are inherently non-emitting. Gaskets and weather stripping are more ambiguous, but I haven't seen those required or mentioned in an interpretation, so I'd be inclined to exclude them. The CDPH Standard Method testing scenarios indicates what materials "can be tested and modeled for compliance with this Standard" - the list from tables 4-3 and 4-5 is: “flooring (all types); ceiling (all types); wall paint & wall covering (also applies to coatings & sealants); thermal insulation - ceiling & wall; wall base; visual aid boards; desk; seating; door & other millwork; window treatments.” Since LEED and CDPH doesn't specifically address door hardware & weather stripping, it seems reasonable to exclude them. My two cents!

Add new comment

To post a comment, you need to register for a LEEDuser Basic membership (free) or login to your existing profile.

You are currently logged in under an enterprise account

FAQs about EQc2 :

Does Hardware need to be included in the Walls category?

You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?

Add new comment