Transfer all the data collected in the master material tracking spreadsheet to the LEED Online submittal template. and upload the product cut sheets.
It is usually a good idea to do a “mini air flush” (if your project is not attempting EQc3.2) before occupancy to help remove any lingering VOCs from the construction process. This can be as simple as putting industrial sized fans in the window and pumping in fresh air overnight or running the HVAC exhaust on high for a few days. (See EQc3.2: Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan—Before Occupancy if the team wants to do a full flush-out for an additional LEED point.)
Schedule the installation of absorptive composite materials so that they are protected from construction air contaminants. This is required if projects are attempting EQc3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan—During Construction, but is a good practice in any case. For example, storing or installing composite wood cabinets before wall painting can cause them to absorb the paint’s off gases and contaminate the air over a longer time period.
Streamline documentation and research by keeping a master spreadsheet of all the items being tracked for each material across MR and EQ credits. For example, you may need to ask the millwork vendor for regional manufacturing and extraction locations for MRc5, recycled content information for MRc4, and composite-wood information for EQc4.4—all for one millwork product. (See the Documentation Toolkit for the Materials Calculator.)
Post signs at the construction site that reminds subcontractors to follow LEED requirements for using urea-formaldehyde-free composite materials and laminating adhesives. (Link to Signage UF)
The VOC Budget method described in credits EQc4.1 and EQc4.2 is not available for calculating the compliance of composite materials and laminating adhesives for this credit.
The credit requirements apply to composite materials manufactured off-site as well as assembled onsite. This differs from the requirements for EQc4.1 and EQc4.2, which only cover products applied onsite.
Achieving this credit may be necessary if your project is also pursuing the air-testing option of EQc3.2: Construction IAQ Management Plan—Before Occupancy. The use of products that don’t comply with EQc4.4 may cause your project team to fail the air-quality tests.
The credit requirements can also be incorporated in a more comprehensive IAQ management plan (required for EQc3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan—During Construction) that requires the use of low-emitting products to control the source of construction pollution.
Keep all product cut sheets until the project has been certified, as there is a small chance that you will need to upload these to prove credit compliance if you are audited.