| Author |
Message |
Tracy Van Niel, FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: tracy_van_niel
Post Number: 307
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010 - 03:27 pm: |    |
Even though this doesn't go into effect until January 2013, I was starting to do some research into what changes we would need to make to our master and, of course, finding manufacturers who comply with the requirements. The no added formaldehyde based resin is easy as we can list who we've already accumulated for LEED projects but I'm trying to figure out who complies with the 'ultra low-emitting formaldehyde resin' part of the standard. I guess there can always been new products developed between now and when everyone has to comply but I wondered if anyone else has started looking into this? I don't think we want to go with no added formaldehyde panels only in our specs as I'm being told by the project architects that they have limited availability and are much more expensive than 'regular' composite panels.
Thanks.
Tracy L. Van Niel, FCSI, CCS |
(Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010 - 03:47 pm: | |
What does S.1660 refer to.
On a related note refer to the CALGreen code that will be applicable in California on Jan 1. This imposes limits on formaldehyde. Read the definition of "composite wood products". The definition excludes most structural products from this requirement.
The CALGreen Code can be downloaded from http://www.bsc.ca.gov |
Tracy Van Niel, FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: tracy_van_niel
Post Number: 308
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 08:43 am: | |
It's the number assigned to the bill in Congress.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-1660
Tracy L. Van Niel, FCSI, CCS |
Mark Gilligan SE,
Senior Member
Username: mark_gilligan
Post Number: 308
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 01:48 pm: | |
The provisions in S1660 appear to be very similar to the requirements in CALGreen which will go into effect January 1. Note that there is nothing preventing the federal regulations being in effect before 2013.
Once the federal regulations are in effect there is a question as to what extent do the project specifications need to address this requirement. At that time it will be illegal for manufacturers to sell the product so why the need to address it in the specifications. Surely there are other federal restrictions on products that we do not address in our specifications.
Depending on requirements in the regulations we may have no option but to specify some testing or verification activities but these should be considered a special case.
On the other hand if your project is in California you will need to address the issue until then. |
Tracy Van Niel, FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: tracy_van_niel
Post Number: 309
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 09:21 am: | |
Thanks, Mark. I agree. I was looking more to see which manufacturers might comply with the ultra low formaldehyde requirements now so we could incorporate them into our master since the project architects are telling me that the no formaldehyde products are costly and not as readily available. We've been trying to 'green' our specs and using those products as standard (without it being a leed project) as much as possible.
Tracy L. Van Niel, FCSI, CCS |
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick
Post Number: 1238
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 11:52 am: | |
This bill passed both the House and the Senate in June. Whether that means it is considered "promulgated" I don't know, but there are maximum emission standards that take place 180 days from the date the regulation is promulgated. The higher limits take place next year as noted. There are two definitions in the bill: the ultra-low emissions standard has slightly different emission limits, but also defines the resins differently. One interesting omission is the exclusion of structural plywood and OSB from the legislation. |
Dawn Garcia (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 11:41 am: | |
Here's a link that may come in handy for those of you seeking manufacturers who comply -- in particular this lists the companies who have a ULEF (ultra low emitting formaldehyde) or NAF (no added formaldehyde) exemption http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/naf_ulef/listofnaf_ulef.htm
The good news is that most (if not all) domestics producers of composite panels (MDF, Particleboard, Hardwood Plywood, etc.) are already complying with CARB, which is a California regulation that went into effect in January 2009 and is basically the same requirements as S.1660. CALGreen is the enforcement tool for that California regulation. Although it affects products sold into California only, I believe the entire U.S. industry has already complied with the formaldehyde requirements.
Dawn Garcia, SierraPine |
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