The following proposed innovation in design credit language is intended to demonstrate accomplishment of Comprehensive Exterior VOC Emitting Materials Reduction above and beyond requirements set forth in existing LEED credits. We recognize that an ID credit cannot be granted achievement through the CIR process, but request the review of this proposed approach for viability and appropriateness as written to support a project earning an ID credit by meeting these requirements. Proposed Title: Comprehensive Exterior VOC Emitting Materials Reduction Intent: Provide a safe and healthy outdoor environment for both construction teams and building occupants. Reduce outdoor pollution resulting from construction practices and material selection. Requirements: Significantly reduce the amount of VOCs released to the outdoor air through construction practices and materials selection by specifying low VOC emitting products for each of the following if/as incorporated in the project: ? Factory applied cool roof coating (rather than field applied) ? No added urea-formaldehyde composite wood exterior doors ? Low VOC siding materials (composite wood and cement product) ? Low VOC pesticides and vegetation care products ? Heat island effect: roof- meet LEED-NC SS7.2 credit requirements Submittal: In addition to all corresponding submittal requirements for existing LEED credits, document specific efforts to reduce VOCs external to the building, and describe how a comprehensive exterior VOC reduction that address control and mitigation has been realized. Design Approach: ? Source Control: minimize VOC sources from being installed/used in the exterior building and site construction ? Mitigation: maintain outdoor air quality to minimize VOC presence ? Identify sources of VOCs within the exterior building and site design, and specify low VOC or VOC free alternatives. ? Locate site in area accessible to existing public transportation networks, provide bike storage and showering facilities, provide preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles, and base parking capacity on actual user needs rather than code or precedent for building type. ? Green Seal Standard GC-03 exterior paints, primers, and coatings ? SCAQMD Rule #1168 compliant concrete sealant ? Low VOC exterior caulks and adhesives ? Separate pedestrian traffic flow patterns from vehicle flow patterns ? Heat island effect: non-roof- meet LEED-NC SSc7.1 credit requirements ? SCAQMD Rule #1168 compliant wood stains and wood sealers ? Low VOC decking materials (composite wood and cement product)
The proposed requirements and approach to an ID credit have merit. In order to justify an ID credit, the requirements would need to be more comprehensive than stated, and you would need to provide additional environmental context. To be comprehensive, the requirements should include the VOC limits for concrete sealants and caulks, exterior paints, wood stains and sealers, and metal stains and sealers. Also, the project should describe the regional air quality context to justify the restriction of outdoor emissions of VOCs. For example, the importance of man-made VOC emissions in smog formation varies between regions. If you decide to pursue an ID credit for this approach, be sure to include the full component of chemical products in the requirements and to quantify both the health and environmental benefits. Applicable Internationally.