Low-emitting materials - adhesives and sealants

Intent

To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, 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 (i.e., inside of the weatherproofing system and applied on-site) must comply with the following requirements as applicable to the project scope¹:

• Adhesives, Sealants and Sealant Primers must comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168. Volatile organic compound (VOC) limits listed in the table below 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 flooring 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 and asphalt adhesives	50	Special purpose contact adhesive	250
  Drywall and panel adhesives	50	Structural wood member adhesive	140
  Cove base adhesives	50	Sheet applied rubber lining operations	850
  Multipurpose construction adhesives	70	Top and 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	Roadway	250
  Porous material (except wood)	50	Other	420
  Wood	30
  Fiberglass	80
  Sealant Primers	VOC Limit (g/L less water)
  Architectural, nonporous	250
  Architectural, porous	775
  Other	750
  This table excludes adhesives and sealants integral to the water-proofing system or that are not building related.
• Aerosol Adhesives must comply with Green Seal Standard for Commercial Adhesives GS-36 requirements in
  effect on October 19, 2000.

  Aerosol Adhesives	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