Low-Emitting Flooring Systems

It is helpful to give subcontractors and purchasing agents the following tools:

VOC Reporting Form: A VOC tracking sheet should be distributed to each trade; this is to be given to the GC for filing.
Summary of VOC Limits: This summarizes the maximum VOC limits for different types of adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings. When sub-contractors are looking for products, they should consult this chart.

The credit does not apply to products that use adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings that were applied off-site. For example, if a project purchases wood flooring that was prefinished in a factory, the factory wood sealant does not have to meet the VOC limits because it is assumed that the sealant has offgassed before arriving at the site.

The contractor or purchasing agent should be aware of any warranty issues that may exist if alternative adhesives or sealants are used. For example, a carpet company may insist that a specific carpet adhesive is used as contingent to the carpet’s warranty. Ask them for alternatives, or consider using other carpeting.

It is common for an MSDS to list the chemical contents of a product without giving an overall VOC g/L number. If the number is listed as “< 100 g/L,” for example, which is common, you can list 100 g/L as the number in credit documentation. In other cases, you may have to contact the manufacturer to get the total VOC number. Suppliers can be your allies in tracking down this information when they know the sale of the product is at stake.

Incorporate low-emitting requirements into a more comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Plan required for IEQc1.5: Indoor Air Quality Best Management Practices—Indoor Air Quality Management for Facility Alterations and Additions by requiring the use of low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings to control the source of construction pollution.

Make sure the contractor and subcontractors know what information to look for and don’t just use products that claim they are low-VOC. To find the VOC g/L information, look on the product’s MSDS and compare that number with the VOC limits listed for different uses as determined by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District-Regulation 8 Rule 51, Green Seal-11 for paints, and Green Seal-36 for aerosol adhesives. See the Documentation Toolkit for a summary of these limits.

Using low-emitting materials is not only beneficial to occupants that will be using the space on a long-term basis, but can improve air quality and health of construction workers who have ongoing exposure to construction pollution.

Ensure that the proper products and low-VOC requirements are in the construction specifications and have a system of quality control throughout construction to ensure the appropriate products are used. 

This is an easy no-cost measure to achieve.