LEED AND THE CABINET SHOP
In an on-going series of articles Tim Woolery of Gemini Coatings is breaking down sone of the application principles and questions about LEED’s 4.2. qualification. Here is another in that series of articles.
Leadership in Energy and Environ mental Design (LEED) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote a a mission of “producing a new generation of buildings that deliver high performance inside and out.” The LEED program rates commercial projects on a wide range of criteria including indoor air quality and the use of recycled materials, local resources, renewable energy sources and energy-saving systems. Through LEED standards, the USGBC seeks to improve the environmental and economic performance of commercial buildings using established and/or advance industry principles, practices, material and standards. In the last year, LEED certified building projects have increased 330% nationwide.
The LEED criteria as currently defined does not apply to finishing done in a shop setting, but only to –on-site finishing. However, many architects and designers are requiring their vendors to meet the standards as found under the following section of the LEED manual, version 2.2.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EQ Credit 4.2 Low-Emitting Materials: Paints &Coatings
Intent:
Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and wee-being of installers and occupants.
Requirements:
Paints and coatings used on the interior of the building (defined as inside of the weatherproofing system and applied on-site) shall comply with the following criteria:
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Clear wood finishes: varnish 350 g/l; Lacquer 550 g/l
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Sealers: sanding sealers 275 g/l
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Stains: 250 g/l
POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGIES & STRATEGIES
Specify low-VOC paints and coatings in construction document. Ensure that VOC limits are clearly stated in each section of the specifications where paints and coatings are addressed. Track the VOC content of all interior paints and coatings during construction.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CABINET/MILLWORK SHOP?
According to EQ 4.2 shop applied coatings will not help the building receive the point that is intended for this requirement however many architects are requesting that the cabinet/millwork shop still comply.
Water-based coatings and low-VOC varnishes, pre-catalyzed lacquers, and lacquers provide the cabinet/millwork shop with many alternatives. However, due to the solvent and solid requirements for these low VOC coatings the cost of these coatings is normally higher.
Stain offerings are more limited and at times are not as user friendly as the normal stains we are used too. Many low VOC stains on the market contain acetone or very expensive Oxsol solvents.
LEED is not a fad that will pass with time, we will see more and more focus on environmental friendly products.
When a LEED project comes your way you don’t need to shy away from it, contact your coating supplier for coatings that will comply with the criteria however you should not be required to comply with the documentation and tracking portion of the requirement as you are applying your coatings in a shop environment.