Guidelines for Residential and Commercial Building Construction
This section provides a summary of relevant adhesive and sealant “green” guidelines for the major “green building” program available on the market today. The current non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) which have developed “green building” rating systems are:
Based on the California Resources Board (CARB) Consumer Rule. The prescribed maximum limits listed below are based on a weight percentage of Total VOC to Total Product:
Contact Adhesives (regular) 55%
Contact Adhesives (specialty) 80%
General Purpose 10%
Building Construction 15% (reduced to 7% on Jan. 1, 2009)
Green Globes – developed by Energy and Environment Canada and marketed by GBI. Also based on CARB Consumer Rule; however, the rule is currently undergoing further modifcation.
International Green Construction Code (IGCC) (currently in development):
As part of its commitment to green and sustainable safety concepts, the International Code Council is excited to develop a new set of green codes under the multi-year initiative called “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable by the Book.” This initiative will include collaboration from the Council’s closest allies and pre-eminent thought leaders in green building, as well as outreach and feedback from our members and the general public. We are committed to developing an effective and efficient code that will continue our long tradition of international code guidance.
Definitions
Contact Adhesive means a non-aerosol adhesive that: (a) is designed for
application to both surfaces to be bonded together; (b) is allowed to dry before the two surfaces are placed in contact with each other; (c) forms an immediate bond that is impossible, or difficult, to reposition after both adhesive coated surfaces are placed in contact with each other; and (d) does not require sustained pressure or clamping of surfaces after the adhesive-coated surfaces have been brought together using sufficient momentary pressure to establish full contact between both surfaces. “Contact Adhesive” does not include rubber cements that are primarily intended for use on paper substrates. "Contact Adhesive" also does not include vulcanizing fluids that are designed and labeled for tire repair only.
Contact Adhesive – General/Regular Purpose means any contact adhesive that is not defined as "Contact Adhesive - Special Purpose."
Contact Adhesive – Special Purpose means a contact adhesive that: (a) is used to bond melamine-covered board, unprimed metal, unsupported vinyl, Teflon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, rubber, high pressure laminate or wood veneer 1/16 inch or less in thickness to any porous or nonporous surface, and is sold in units of product, less packaging, that contain more than eight fluid ounces, or (b) is used in automotive applications that are (1) automotive under-the-hood applications requiring heat, oil or gasoline resistance, or (2) body-side molding, automotive weatherstrip or decorative trim.
General Purpose Adhesive means any non-aerosol adhesive designed for use on a variety of substrates. General Purpose Adhesive” does not include (a) contact adhesives, (b) construction, panel, and floor covering adhesives, (c) adhesives designed exclusively for application on one specific category of substrates (i.e., substrates that are composed of similar materials, such as different types of metals, paper products, ceramics, plastics, rubbers, or vinyls), or (d) adhesives designed exclusively for use on one specific category of article (i.e., articles that may be composed of different materials but perform a specific function, such as gaskets, automotive trim, weather-stripping, or carpets).
Building Construction, Panel, and Floor Covering Adhesive means any non-aerosol, one-component adhesive that is designed or labeled for the installation, remodeling, maintenance, or repair of: (a) structural and building components that include, but are not limited to, beams, trusses, studs, paneling (drywall or drywall laminates, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), plywood, particle board, insulation board, pre-decorated hardboard or tileboard, etc.), ceiling and acoustical tile, molding, fixtures, countertops or countertop laminates, cove or wall bases, and flooring or subflooring; or (b) floor or wall coverings that include, but are not limited to, wood or simulated wood covering, carpet, carpet pad or cushion, vinyl-backed carpet, flexible flooring material, nonresilient flooring material, mirror tiles and other types of tiles, and artificial grass. “Construction, Panel, and Floor Covering Adhesive” does not include “Floor Seam Sealer.”
Sealant/Caulking Compound means any product with adhesive properties that is designed to fill, seal, waterproof, or weatherproof gaps or joints between two surfaces. “Sealant and Caulking Compound” does not include roof cements and roof sealants; insulating foams; removable caulking compounds; clear/paintable/water resistant caulking compounds; floor seam sealers; products designed exclusively for automotive uses; or sealers that are applied as continuous coatings. “Sealant and Caulking Compound” also does not include units of product, less packaging, which weigh more than one pound and consist of more than 16 fluid ounces. For the purposes of this definition only, “removable caulking compounds” means a compound which temporarily seals windows or doors for three to six month time intervals, and “clear/paintable/water resistant caulking compounds” means a compound which contains no appreciable level of opaque fillers or pigments; transmits most or all visible light through the caulk when cured; is paintable; and is immediately resistant to precipitation upon application.