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: 27 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Previously published as an AAP:
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: 27 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Previously published as an AAP:
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: 27 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Previously published as an AAP:
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, and 4.
Post Date: 07 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

(Approved)
GreenGuard Gold is accepted as an equivalent for F04, Part 5
Post Date: 07 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

(Approved)
GreenGuard Gold is accepted as an equivalent for Feature 4, Part 5
Post Date: 07 Apr, 2017
Status: Approved

Updated (Approved):
LEED v4 EQc Low-emitting materials credit is deemed equivalent for Part 1. Please note that the project must adhere to the "Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products" section (found in LEED v4). Additionally, all newly applied paints and coatings must be in compliance.
BREEAM UK NC/RFO 2014, INC. 2016 and IRFO 2015 Hea 02: Indoor air quality - Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels (products) credit is deemed equivalent for Part 1. Please note the project must adhere to the Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels for products (found in Table 18 in the BREEAM UK New Construction 2014, Table 20 in the UK RFO 2014, Table 17 and 18 in the INC 2016). Additionally, all newly applied paints and coatings must be in compliance.

LEED v4 EQc Low-emitting materials credit is deemed equivalent for Part 2. Please note that the project must adhere to the "Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products" section (found in LEED v4). Additionally, all newly applied adhesives and sealants must be in compliance.
BREEAM UK NC/RFO 2014, INC 2016 and IRFO 2015 Hea 02: Indoor air quality - Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels (products)credit is deemed equivalent for Part 2. Please note the project must adhere to the Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels for products (found in Table 18 in the BREEAM UK New Construction 2014, Table 20 in the UK RFO 2014, Table 17 and 18 in the INC 2016). Additionally, all newly applied adhesives and sealants must be in compliance.

LEED v4 EQc Low-emitting materials credit is deemed equivalent for Part 3. Please note that the project must adhere to the "General emissions evaluation" section (found in LEED v4). Additionally, all newly installed flooring must be in compliance.
BREEAM UK NC/RFO 2014, INC 2016 and IRFO 2015 Hea 02: Indoor air quality - Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels (products) credit is deemed equivalent for Part 3. Please note the project must adhere to the Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels for products (found in Table 18 in the BREEAM UK New Construction 2014, Table 20 in the UK RFO 2014, Table 17 and 18 in the INC 2016). Additionally, all newly installed flooring must be in compliance.

LEED v4 EQc Low-emitting materials credit is deemed equivalent for Part 4. Please note that the project must adhere to the "General emissions evaluation" section (found in LEED v4). Additionally, all newly installed insulation must be in compliance.

LEED v4 EQc Low-emitting material credit is deemed equivalent for Part 5. Please note that the project must adhere to the "Furniture evaluation" section (found in LEED v4). Additionally, 95% (by cost) of all newly purchased furniture and furnishing must be in compliance.

Note BREEAM equivalency is only applicable for Feature 4 Parts 1-3.
Post Date: 17 Jan, 2017
Status: Approved

ORIGINAL RULING (10/24/2016):
(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.

UPDATED RULING (1/11/2017):
(Approved)
Greenstuf has been considered an acceptable material, as it complies with GreenGuard Gold Certification, which has been approved as an equivalent standard for Feature 04, Part 4.
Post Date: 17 Jan, 2017
Status: Approved

(Approved)
Indoor Advantage Gold has been approved as an acceptable alternative for F04, Parts 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Post Date: 17 Jan, 2017
Status: Approved

(Approved)
CalGreen 2013 Title 24, Part 11, California Green Building code has been approved as an equivalent for F04, Parts 1 and 2. For Part 3, projects are required to meet 100% of the resilient flooring requirements according to CalGreen 2013 Title 24 in order to fully comply with WELL requirements.
Post Date: 24 Oct, 2016
Status: Approved

(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.
Features>Air>04. VOC reduction