This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  1. Air
  2. VOC reduction

VOC reduction

Features>Air>04. VOC reduction

04. VOC reduction

Intent: 

To minimize the effect of VOCs in building materials on indoor air quality.

Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Approved

All standards accepted by LEED and BREEAM based on current European (EN) and international (ISO) standards are equivalent standards for Feature 4, Part 1. Note that projects must adhere to the "Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products" section (found in the Low Emitting Materials Credit of LEED v4 BD+C, under Emissions and Content Requirements) or to the Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels for products (found in Table 18 in the BREEAM UK New Construction 2014). All newly applied paints and coatings must be in compliance.

All standards accepted by LEED and BREEAM based on current European (EN) and international (ISO) standards are equivalent standards for Feature 4, Part 2. Note that projects must adhere to the "Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products" section (found in the Low Emitting Materials Credit of LEED v4 BD+C, under Emissions and Content Requirements) or to the Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels for products (found in Table 18 in the BREEAM UK New Construction 2014). All newly applied adhesives and sealants must be in compliance.

All standards accepted by LEED and BREEAM based on current European (EN) and international (ISO) standards are equivalent standards for Feature 4, Part 3. Note that projects must adhere to the "Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products" section (found in the Low Emitting Materials Credit of LEED v4 BD+C, under Emissions and Content Requirements). Projects wishing to use BREEAM as an alternative must achieve BREEAM Exemplary level (2 credits) in order to be compliant. All newly installed flooring must be in compliance.

All standards accepted by LEED and BREEAM based on current European (EN) and international (ISO) standards are equivalent standards for Feature 4, Part 4. Note that projects must adhere to the "Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products" section (found in the Low Emitting Materials Credit of LEED v4 BD+C, under Emissions and Content Requirements). All newly installed insulation must be in compliance.

All standards accepted by LEED and BREEAM based on current European (EN) and international (ISO) standards are equivalent standards for Feature 4, Part 5. Note that projects must adhere to the "Furniture Evaluation' section (found in the Low Emitting Materials Credit of LEED v4 BD+C, under Emissions and Content Requirements). Additionally, 95% (by cost) of all newly purchased furniture and furnishing must be in compliance.
Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Approved

AFRDI Green Tick Furniture is compliant with Feature 4, Part 5.
It should be noted that GECA's allowable emission levels exceed those required in the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard, and GECA does not address the VOC emission concentration thresholds required by the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard. However, GECA is currently deemed a best in class within its market at this time.
Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Approved

Green Star Credit 13: Indoor Pollutants is considered partially equivalent to WELL Feature 04: VOC reduction.
Compliance with the Green Star credit is sufficient to comply with Parts 1 and 2, as well as to a portion of Part 3 (only flooring that is classified as carpeting) of the WELL feature.
Projects will still need to comply with Part 3 (all non-carpet flooring), as well as with Parts 4 and 5 in order to fully comply with the Feature.
Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Approved

Floorscore is accepted as equivalent for the requirements of F04, Parts 2 and 3.
Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Approved

Indoor Advantage Gold is accepted as equivalent for the requirements of F04, Parts 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Not Approved

GreenGuard Certification is not an accepted equivalent standard to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard method v1.1-2010 as specified in Part 4a of this feature. Therefore Greenstuf is not an acceptable material for newly installed thermal or acoustic insulation, based on the evidence provided. The excerpt taken from GreenGuard Standard Method for Measuring and Evaluating Chemical Emissions from Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishings Using Dynamic Environmental Chambers refers to the GreenGuard Children and School certification (now GreenGuard Gold Certification), which does in fact meet/exceed CDPH standards. However, according to the Material Safety Data Sheet provided, Greenstuf is GreenGuard Certified and is not GreenGuard Gold Certified.
Features>Air>04. VOC reduction