Section 2: Individual LEED Credit Reviews
LEED Credit EQ-4.2:
To ensure that the credit is achieved, project teams
will need to include specific VOC and chemical
Low-Emitting Materials
component limits in the project's paint
specifications (for interior products). During
Paints
construction, the project team will need to review
product submittals to confirm compliance with the
VOC and prohibited chemical criteria.
Intent
Basis for Cost Assumption
Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminates
that are odorous, potentially irritating and/or
Low VOC paints meeting the Green Seal criteria
harmful to the comfort and well-being of
are available from a number of manufacturers
installers and occupants.
nationwide. Low-VOC paint costs are typically
comparable to other quality paint products; as
Requirement
such, no construction cost premium was identified
VOC emissions from paints and coatings must
for this credit. The development of additional
not exceed the VOC and chemical component
specification language, and subsequent submittal
limits of Green Seal's Standard GS-11
reviews, is addressed as part of the soft cost
requirements.
analysis in Section 4 of this report.
(1 point)
Summary of First Cost Impacts
Cost Impact = 2
Courthouse (New Construction, 262,000 GSF)
No identified cost premiums.
1
2
3
4
5
Office Building (Modernization, 306,600 GSF)
GSA
No
Low
Moderate
High
Standard
premium,
premium
premium
premium
No identified cost premiums.
(no cost)
psble svgs
(<50K)
(50-150K)
(>150K)
Practical Applications
Additional Considerations
This credit requires the selection and specification
In situations where alkyd paints or other non-
of interior paints that do not exceed the VOC and
compliant paint products are required for small
chemical component limits of the referenced
areas in a building, it is still possible to earn this
Green Seal standard1. For typical drywall, plaster
credit using a "VOC budget" methodology. Project
and wood applications, most major paint
teams must track the number of gallons of paint
manufacturers offer one or more water-based
used for all interior applications, and demonstrate
latex/acrylic paint lines that can meet the Green
that the combined VOC content of the paint used
Seal requirements. Green Seal-compliant paints are
is less than or equal to the maximum VOC content
also available for other surface types (metals,
allowed in the Green Seal standard. For example,
concrete, masonry); however, design teams will
by using a zero-VOC product for large drywall
typically need to research the appropriate products
areas, a project could also use an alkyd-based paint
offered by different manufacturers. Oil-based
for metal handrails at a stairway.
(alkyd) paints do not meet the Green Seal VOC
criteria.
Synergistic Credits
None identified (with construction cost impacts).
The VOC limits of the standard are as follows:
1
Flat Paints: 50 grams/liter
Non-flat Paints: 150 grams/liter
GSA LEED COST STUDY
141
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