We have specified Forbo linoleum for 100% of the finished flooring in a residential building-except in the areas where we have specified inert ceramic and glass tiles-with the intention of reducing indoor air contaminants as far as possible. Forbo linoleum flooring is regularly tested by an independent accredited and approved lab for compliance with the State of California Standard that is published as Section 01350 Section 9 by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools. Forbo has chosen to focus on standards developed by independent organizations utilizing an American National Standards Institute-accredited consensus process rather than seek trade organization certifications, such as CRI Green Label Plus or FloorScore. The Potential Technologies and Strategies section of EQ credit 4.3 states: select products that are either certified under the [CRI] Green Label Plus program or for which testing has been done by qualified independent laboratories in accordance with the appropriate requirements. We request that the USGBC allow an alternative compliance path for low emitting flooring systems that defines "appropriate requirements" as the State of California Standard published as Section 01350 Section 9 by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools. This will give us the opportunity to achieve the EQc4.3 credit requirements, because all of the applicable flooring specified for this project has been tested and complies with the stringent requirements of Section 01350. We believe that compliance with Section 01350 meets the credit intent, because: - Section 01350 requires that products meet the Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers, which is referenced in the credit as the Testing Criteria, - Section 01350 is the basis of CRI Green Label Plus and FloorScore, and - Option 2 for the Low-Emitting Materials-Flooring Systems in LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction 2009 Edition requires that all flooring elements meet the testing and product requirements of the Section 01350 testing criteria (the California Department of Health Services Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers). If this project was registered under LEED2009, it would meet the credit requirements.
Yes, the testing and product requirements of the California Department of Health Services (DHS) Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers, including 2004 Addenda, can be used as an alternative compliance path for flooring for this specific project. Please note that per LEED-NC v2.2 EQc4.3 CIR ruling dated 10/17/2006, 100% of the non-carpet finished flooring must meet the credit requirements, and it must comprise, at minimum, at least 25% of the finished floor area. Potential examples of unfinished flooring include floors in mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, and elevator service rooms. . Further, the California DHS Standard Practice contains two modeling scenarios: a classroom and a private office. To meet the requirements of the LEED-NC EQc4.3, the results must be compliant when modeled to the office scenario.