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: 17 Jan, 2017
Status: Approved

(Approve)
For Feature 4, Part 5, as an alternative to the formaldehyde emissions thresholds cited in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 7.6.2, projects may use certain approved thresholds. For systems furniture laminates: CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010 limits (9 ug/m3) may be used. For furniture substrates: CARB Phase II limits (50 ppb for hardwood plywood with veneer core, 50 ppb for hardwood plywood with composite core, 90 ppb for particleboard, 110 ppb for medium density fiberboard, and 113 ppb for thin medium density fiberboard) may be used. Additionally, note that the project will still be required to demonstrate Feature 01: Air Quality Standards.
Post Date: 06 May, 2016
Status: Approved

(Approved.)
Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) emissions testing is approved as an emissions testing methodology ONLY for furniture and furnishings that are made up of a uniform material and have flat testing surfaces on which the FLEC emissions testing methodology may be applied. For example, flat surfaced cabinetry that is made up of a uniform material may be tested using this methodology. However, chairs that are made from a variety of materials that lack flat surfaces may not be tested using this methodology. The emissions test must be administered by a third party investigator with no affiliation with the project. The associated costs are the responsibility of the project team.

Additional tests performed in accordance with ISO 16000 methodology must be performed for total aldehydes and 4-Phenylcyclohexane and must meet the thresholds specified in the WELL Building Standard.
Post Date: 06 May, 2016
Status: Approved

(Approved.)
The following referenced standards may be used in lieu of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard Section 7.6.1 and 7.6.2, testing in accordance with ANSI/BIFMA Standard Method M7.1-2011:
- the Finnish M1 label for non-upholstered furniture
- the Blue Angel label for upholstered furniture
If these standards are used, the furniture must also be separately tested for 4-phenylcyclohexane and total aldehydes and held to the same limits specified in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 section 7.6.1 and 7.6.2
Post Date: 06 May, 2016
Status: Approved

(Approved.)
Products and materials that have an A or A+ class rating under the French legislation on VOC emissions meet the requirements of Parts 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Features>Air>04. VOC reduction