These steps are taken to lower the volatile organic compounds (VOC) in finish materials that are frequently used on a project, which will assist the building’s occupants breathe cleaner air.
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.7: Resilient flooring systems, Tier 1.
For 90 percent of floor area receiving resilient flooring, install resilient flooring that is:
1. Certified under the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) FloorScore program; 2. Compliant with the VOC-emission limits and testing requirements specified in the California Department of Public Health’s 2010 Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation Chambers, Version 1.1, February 2010;
3. Compliant with the Collaborative for High Performance Schools California (2014 CA-CHPS) Criteria and listed in the CHPS High Performance Product Database; or
4. Products certified under UL GREENGUARD Gold (formerly the Greenguard Children’s & Schools Program).
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.7.1: Resilient flooring systems, Tier 2.
For 100 percent of floor area receiving resilient flooring, install resilient flooring that is:
1. Certified under the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) FloorScore program;
2. Compliant with the VOC-emission limits and testing requirements specified in the California Department of Public Health’s 2010 Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation Chambers, Version 1.1, February 2010;
3. Compliant with the Collaborative for High Performance Schools California (2014 CA-CHPS) Criteria and listed in the CHPS High Performance Product Database; or
4. Products certified under UL GREENGUARD Gold (formerly the Greenguard Children’s & Schools Program).
Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.7.2: Verification of compliance.
Documentation shall be provided verifying that resilient flooring materials meet the pollutant emission limits.
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.8: Thermal insulation, Tier 1.
Comply with the following standards:
1. Chapters 12-13 (Standards for Insulating Material) in Title 24, Part 12, the California Referenced Standards Code.
2. The VOC-emission limits defined in 2014 CHPS criteria and listed on its High Performance Products Database.
3. California Department of Public Health 2010 Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.1, February 2010 (also known as Specification 01350.)
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.8.1: Thermal insulation, Tier 2.
Thermal insulation, No-added Formaldehyde. Install thermal insulation which complies with Tier 1 plus does not contain any added formaldehyde.
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.8.2: Verification of compliance.
Documentation shall be provided verifying that thermal insulation materials meet the pollutant emission limits.
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.9: Acoustical ceilings and wall panels.
Comply with Chapter 8 in Title 24, Part 2, the California Building Code and with the VOC-emission limits defined in the 2009 CHPS criteria and listed on its High Performance Products Database.
CALGreen Code Section A5.504.4.9.1: Verification of compliance.
Documentation shall be provided verifying that acoustical finish materials meet the pollutant emission limits.
Note: Products compliant with CHPS criteria certified under the Greenguard Children & Schools program may also be used.
Intent:
The purpose of these measures is to reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOC) of finish materials commonly installed on a project, which will help improve air quality for the building occupants. These measures exceed the mandatory regulations in Chapter 5, Division 5.5, of CALGreen and are available as a tier option. The low-VOC provisions are based on the recommendations, guidelines and regulations of the California Air Resources Board cited in each section. Regulations for aerosol adhesives and paints and for composite wood products are found in Title 17, California Department of Public Health. Note: See Chapter 8 of this guide for forms and templates.
Compliance Method:
Specify finish materials that meet the limits of VOC criteria as tested by the listed organizations. Substitutes may be approved by the local enforcing authority if they show equivalency.
Notes: Some compliant products may be found on the following websites:
1. CHPS Low-emitting Materials List may be found at: www.chpsregistry. com/live or http://www.chps.net/dev/Drupal/node/381
2. Products certified under the FloorScore program may be found at: http://www.rfci.com/int_FS-ProdCert.htm
3. Products certified under the Greenguard Children & Schools program and compliant with CHPS criteria may be found at: http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=135
Suggestion:
Retain product data sheets for on-site verification by the enforcing agency and for the operation and maintenance manual.
Enforcement:
Plan intake: The plan reviewer should confirm in the construction documents that these finishes are specified to meet VOC emission limits.
On-site enforcement: The inspector should verify that finishes specified on the approved construction documents are installed, or stored on site with the ability to be verified. The inspector may review product data provided with products or accept self-certification forms signed by the contractor.
(Excerpted from ‘Guide to the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code Nonresidential’ – Appendix A5)
