New Green Building Codes Require The Use Of Low Voc Emitting Interior Products

Building green is a trend that is sweeping the nation as stakeholders at all stages

of a building's life, from conception and design to operation and maintenance, look for new and innovative ways to minimize the amount of nonrenewable energy, increase the use of more sustainable materials, reduce water usage, and improve indoor environmental quality in the built environment. California was the first state in the nation to institute a mandatory state-wide green building code, which went into effect in January 2011. This new code, labeled CALGreen, has established minimum green building standards for most new construction projects in California. Implementation has been slow, but the code is now beginning to have an impact on product manufacturers, the design and construction industry, and the local government jurisdictions that are charged with implementation.

Perhaps the section of CALGreen that is least understood is the one dealing with indoor air quality. Fortunately for uninitiated builders and code officials, the first version of CALGreen primarily addresses indoor air quality by a relatively simple requirement related to finish flooring products. All resilient flooring products and all carpeting must be tested for emissions of (VOCs) and must meet the emission criteria as specified in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method V1.1, 2010. Architects and builders must seek out low emitting products in these categories, obtain evidence of compliance in the form of certificates and product declarations, and attest to the use of these products in their submittals to building departments.

Both the resilient flooring industry and the carpet industry have made it easier to identify and purchase low emitting products. The Resilient Floor Covering Institute operates the FloorScore certification program for low emitting hard surface flooring. Products meeting the requirements of the program, which include testing and compliance with the CDPH Standard Method, display the FloorScore mark. The Carpet & Rug Institute similarly operates the CRI Green Label and Green Label Plus programs for low emitting carpet padding and carpet, respectively. Compliant products in these categories also prominently display the certification mark. Most large manufacturers certify their products to these programs. Smaller manufacturers and others who choose not to participate in the programs can have their products tested by an independent laboratory and then make self- declarations regarding compliance of their products to the CDPH Standard Method.

Green building codes and standards have now been developed for more universal application at the national level. These standards are the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1. Like CALGreen, both standards contain requirements for the use of low VOC emitting flooring products. Plus, they additionally have indoor air quality related requirements for other products used indoors including architectural paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, composite woods, ceiling and wall systems, thermal insulation, and in the case of the ASHRAE standard, commercial furniture.

by: Berkeley Analytical

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