VOC Requirements

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Author Message Anonymous   Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 03:04 pm:    Do you specify the VOC requirements and levels for each paint, et.al.,product, OR do you require the manufacturer(s) to submit verification (informational submittals?) of compliance with the applicable regulations? Peggy White, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: peggy Post Number: 24 Registered: 07-2007 Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 05:40 pm:    I specify the VOC limits for each type of paint within the paint spec, and then indicate the standard/criteria in my Division 01 Environmental Requirements Section. Re submittals, yes, I require proof of compliance and of course for LEED projects this becomes part of the documentation. Anonymous   Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 05:43 pm:    What is your objective? Repeat what is already a statutory regulation? (Ensure) enforcement of same...by being the air quality "police"? Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 825 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 08:00 pm:    I generally say "comply with ______ (whatever the local air quality agency is named) at the time of installation". Most of my projects take a long time to get built out and invariably the VOC limits in place at the time I specify the project are not the ones in place at the time the painting is occuring. In some locations (most of California, and New Jersey) the local jurisdictional requirements are more stringent than LEED, and those are what need compliance. The paint manufacturers in each are (and the painters for that matter) are very current on what is required in their area. the only reason you would need to state the VOC requirements is if for some reason you required your project to be more stringent than the local requirements. And, there are ways to get around that. California products are manufacturered to lower VOC levels than most other states, and we had a project where the painter actually had a higher VOC primer applied in Nevada and then the product shipped to the job site. I've had paint suppliers recommend that for tricky formulations. Mark Gilligan SE, CSI Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 90 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 01:52 am:    Unless one is dealing with LEED certification or is trying to implement improved environmental controls I would treat VOC requiremets as contractor's means and methods. I think that Anne's approach is reasonable. I see little difference between VOC regulations and OSHA regulations. Do we feel compelled to address all of the OSHA regulations in the specifications. The way I see it is that our specifications should address those issues that impact the long term performance of the building. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 121 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 04:50 pm:    LEED sets its VOC contents limits for paints to comply with Green Seal GS-11. Flats: 50 g/L Non-Flats: 150 g/L That's what we spec. Anonymous   Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 11:23 am:    Mr. Wood, GS-11 1993 or 2008? If 2008, prior to 1/1/2010 or after 1/1/2010? Be sure to "update" your LEED spec when LEED adopts 2008 version...and according to when your project gets certified. 2nd Anon Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 122 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 12:54 pm:    Thanks. We are in the process of re-greening all of our specs for LEED for Schools with updates accordingly. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 963 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 08:54 am:    Specifying paints generically to meet local VOC requirements is fine, provided you have done enough research to ensure that you've selected coating systems that have such products available.