Big Green: EQ 4.3

[Andrew Gil]

Dear Big Geeners,

 I have a very subtle, but also very important, question about the
requirements for EQ 4.3. Long-story-short: one of our projects is one point
short of LEED Silver, and we JUST heard (from the manufacturer) that we're
not going to get the EQ 4.3 point; I'm trying to verify that beyond doubt. A
carpet, made in Australia, was specified that turned out to be the ONLY
product line of theirs not tested for compliance with the CRI Green Label
test Program (they had been reformulating that product line). When this was
discovered, the manufacturer offered to conduct the 2-week test on this
product line, and since every other product line of theirs has previously
passed, it seemed inevitable that it would. Well, we just heard that the
results are compliant with the CRI Green Label, but not with the CRI Green
Label Plus.

Here' our dilemma: the LEED v2.2 Reference Guide's "Testing Criteria" states
(with poor, and confusing, grammar) that the test protocol must be Green
Label Plus, and that the "carpet must not exceed the maximum target emission
factors used in the RCI Green label program". Furthermore, the LEED Online
Template that needs to be submitted to the USGBC reads  "I,______, declare
to the USGBC that all carpet systems meet or exceed the current Carpet and
Rug Institute's Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program requirements".

Is it possible that the requirements are that the Green Label Plus must be
used only as a test protocol, and that the actual performance standard is
the Green Label?

Many Thanks,


Andrew M. Gil, AIA
Architect, LEED-Accredited Professional

HOLT Architects, P.C.
217 N. Aurora St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
p. 607 273-7600
f. 607 273-0475
http://www.holt.com