Should resin-based solid surface materials applied as countertops, divider panels, reception desk cladding etc. provide low-emitting testing documentation? Or only when used as wall, ceiling or floor finishes, or incorporated into finished furniture? I understand the adhesive must comply with the wet-applied requirements for all uses, but I'm unclear about the solid surface materials themselves. Thanks!
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Jeff Wiedmeyer
Facility Leaders in Architecture1 thumbs up
May 13, 2021 - 2:53 pm
Hi Lew,
Good question! Did you come upon an answer since your post above? I am currently in a similar situation. I'm reviewing an epoxy countertop submittal and the manufacturer has provided testing data per CDPH Standard Method v1.2-2017. Similarly, I'm uncertain which category to classify it under, if at all.
Ryan Harrington
7 thumbs up
May 13, 2021 - 6:02 pm
Here is some paraphrased instruction I have been given related to millwork from my USGBC appointed LEED Coach.
"Millwork edge banding should not be listed as a separate line item in the v4 calculation. Millwork/built-in cabinetry when built off-site belongs in the walls/ceilings/insulation category and must be listed and tested as a complete finished product rather than as individual components of the assembly. This can make it challenging to earn the v4 walls/ceilings/insulation category since the threshold is 100% and most custom millwork does not have a general emission evaluation.
We instead recommend the team consider using the v4.1 credit substitution, as the v4.1 credit offers lower thresholds in most categories and also separates the walls, ceiling, and insulation products into separate categories.
Note, in v4.1, built-in cabinetry may be excluded from the Wall Panels category (the edge banding component may alternatively be included at the project team's discretion), but any composite wood components are to be included in the Composite Wood category, if attempted.
We also note that the most recent version of the v4.1 credit includes streamlined requirements surrounding structural composite wood. The ASTM 2559 and surface treatments requirements have been removed."
That being said, I listed all items used for Millwork in special criteria part of form, created a "built in millwork" item in the calculator classified it as walls category, and listed it as non-compliant as there was no practical way for each custom build piece of millwork to be tested in a lab to CDPH standards and gave up on trying to achieve the wall category though option 1 LEM v4. It’s been submitted for review, lets see what happens………