Article Number : 5112 |
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| Date | 12/8/2009 8:59:00 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=5112 |
| Abstract | Developers of high density residential communities, including high rises and townhouses, are increasingly drawn to green building for both new structures and renovations. Driven by their own... |
| Article | Developers of high density residential communities, including high rises and townhouses, are increasingly drawn to green building for both new structures and renovations. Driven by their own environmental awareness, tenant interests and/or local regulations, owners are searching for ways to build dwellings that are more sustainable and healthier than ever before. What is installed beneath the floors—unseen in a finished structure— can be important not only to meeting building codes or condominium requirements for sound-attenuation, but also to satisfy owner and tenant interests in green construction. While manufacturers may lay stake to green claims, it could be hard for specifiers to differentiate among options when looking to select environmentally healthy products. A manufacturer can state that a product meets various standards and requirements, however, backing up those statements typically entails independent third-party testing and certification. To earn the Scientific Certification System’s (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold certification for one product is an achievement for any manufacturer of architectural products. However, MP Global Products, a manufacturer of flooring underlayment and acoustical products, is proud that its entire family of fiber underlayment products—Quiet Walk, Quiet Warmth, Insulayment and FiberBacker acoustical—are now certified by SCS at the highest level achievable for indoor air quality and also certified for recycled content. “We’ve always been a green company, since we opened our doors more than 10 years ago,” said Al Collison, founder and president of MP Global Products. “We haven’t had to change anything in our process to make our products sustainable, because we’ve always been the genuine article.” Indoor air quality is a focus of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Green Building Council and health professionals. “Knowing what is under your carpet or hard surface floor is just as important as what you are walking on when it comes to a healthy breathing environment,” said Bob Pratt, technical director at MP Global. “Children are particularly susceptible to toxic emissions from products in the home, and product emissions in the workplace contribute to health problems in sensitive individuals. With this certification, you don’t have to take our word about our product’s emissions. These products have been tested extensively in an independent laboratory setting.” SCS tests and certifies products for compliance with the indoor air quality emission requirements of Section 01350. Annual site audits focus on sample selection for testing and the documented control system, including the mechanisms that the company has in place to ensure continuing compliance of the product and supplier variability. Protocols related to chain of custody, sample conditioning, air testing, chemical analysis and emission calculations are open and transparent allowing test results to be scientifically verified by competing labs. |