EQ Credit 4.1:
Low-Emitting Materials: Adhesives & Sealants
(1 point)
Intent
Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, potentially irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.
Requirements
All adhesives and sealants used on the interior of the building (defined as inside of the weatherproofing system and applied on-site) shall comply with the requirements of the following reference standards:
- Adhesives, Sealants and Sealant Primers: South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168. VOC limits are listed in the table below and correspond to an effective date of July 1, 2005 and rule amendment date of January 7, 2005.
Architectural
Applications |
VOC Limit
(g/L less water) |
Specialty
Applications |
VOC Limit
(g/L less water) |
| Indoor Carpet Adhesives |
50 |
PVC Welding |
510 |
| Carpet Pad Adhesives |
50 |
CPVC Welding |
490 |
| Wood Floor Adhesives |
100 |
ABS Welding |
325 |
| Rubber Floor Adhesives |
60 |
Plastic Cement Welding |
250 |
| Subfloor Adhesives |
50 |
Adhesive primer for Plastic |
550 |
| Ceramic Tile Adhesives |
65 |
Contact Adhesive |
80 |
| VCT & Asphalt Adhesives |
50 |
Special Purpose Contact Adhesive |
250 |
| Drywall & Panel Adhesive |
50 |
Structural Wood Member Adhesive |
140 |
| Cove Base Adhesives |
50 |
Sheet Applied Rubber Lining Operations |
850 |
| Multipurpose Construction Adh |
70 |
Top & Trim Adhesive |
250 |
| Structural Glazing Adhesives |
100 |
|
|
Substrate Specific
Applications |
VOC Limit
(g/L less water) |
Sealants |
VOC Limit
(g/L less water) |
| Metal to Metal |
30 |
Architectural |
250 |
| Plastic Foams |
50 |
Nonmembrane Roof |
300 |
| Porous Material (except wood) |
50 |
Roadway |
250 |
| Wood |
30 |
Single-Ply Roof Membrane |
450 |
| Fiberglass |
80 |
Other |
420 |
Sealant Primers |
VOC Limit
(g/L less water) |
|
| Architectural Non Porous |
250 |
| Architectural Porous |
775 |
| Other |
750 |
- Aerosol Adhesives: Green Seal Standard for Commercial Adhesives GS-36 requirements in effect on October 19, 2000.
|
VOC weight
(g/L minus water) |
General purpose mist spray |
65% VOCs by weight |
General purpose web spray |
55% VOCs by weight |
Special purpose aerosol adhesives (all types) |
70% VOCs by weight |
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Specify low-VOC materials in construction documents. Ensure that VOC limits are clearly stated in each section of the specifications where adhesives and sealants are addressed. Common products to evaluate include: general construction adhesives, flooring adhesives, fire-stopping sealants, caulking, duct sealants, plumbing adhesives, and cove base adhesives.
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