LEED Credit: Indoor Environmental Quality

Low-Emitting Materials. This credit, worth up to three points, focuses on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. This credit requires that 100 percent of the ceiling and wall materials used meet general emissions evaluation criteria to be considered a compliant category. Stone, glass, concrete, and clay brick are listed as “…inherently non-emitting and comply without any testing if they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, or sealants.” Most masonry products do not include integral organic-based coatings, binders, or sealants. It is important to note that factory-applied coatings must meet the California Department of Public Health Standard Method v1.1-2010 requirements to comply with this credit.

For Healthcare and Schools only, exterior applied products are required to comply with the VOC criteria if this credit is pursued. Masonry products without added coatings used in this application will generally comply with this requirement.

Acoustic Performance. LEED v4 for New Construction now includes a credit for acoustic performance. A credit for acoustic performance was previously only found in the LEED for Schools rating system. This credit includes sound transmission class (STC) requirements for interior walls ranging from 45 to 60 depending on the occupancy of adjacent rooms. An STC of 50 is required between hallways and adjacent rooms. Typical STC values for standard concrete masonry units range from 45 for a lightweight 8-inch unit to more than 60 for a fully grouted 12-inch unit. Some masonry wall systems have an STC of 61 or more, with certain specially designed acoustical masonry units providing sound absorption at all frequencies—even low frequencies that can be hard to control. Acoustics is clearly one area where masonry building products will have an advantage over wood or steel materials.

CONCRETE PAVERS AND LEED V4

Architects involved in specifying hardscapes can earn LEED v4 credits in the following Sustainable Sites categories.

Rainwater Management: This credit awards up to three points for managing rainwater runoff using low-impact development or green infrastructure strategies. Recommended strategies include the use of permeable paving. Some products are especially suited to this use, while others may also allow water to permeate depending on the design of the installation.

Heat Island Reduction: This credit awards two points if the combination of the roof and non-roof surfaces meet the specified criteria for solar reflectance. Strategies for the non-roof areas include use of paving materials with a three-year aged solar reflectance (SR) of at least 0.28 or an initial value of 0.33. An open grid pavement system that is at least 50 percent unbound can be used.

Concrete pavers can help earn credits in LEED v4.