EQ Credit 4 – Low-Emitting Materials

Option 6 - Ceilings and Wall Systems
LEED^® Requirement: All acoustical ceiling systems and wall coverings must meet CA Department of Health Services Standard Practice for the Testing of VOC Emissions.

Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems Contribution:
Many Armstrong mineral fiber ceiling and wall systems will meet the Low-emitting Materials requirement for Ceiling and Wall Systems. Refer to the CHPS High Performance products database at http://www.chps.net/dev/Drupal/node/445.  

EQ Prerequisite 3
For new or substantially renovated schools to be LEED certified, unoccupied classroom background noise levels cannot exceed 45 dB(A). Design classrooms and other core learning spaces to include sound absorptive finishes to sufficiently limit reverberation. Classrooms smaller than 20,000 cubic feet require the total area of sound-absorbing finishes (like acoustical ceilings or acoustical panels) with a minimum NRC rating of 0.70 equal to the room’s ceiling area, while classrooms larger than 20,000 cubic feet require a reverberation time of less than 1.5 seconds (U.S. Green Building Council, 2009).

EQ Credit 9 – Enhanced Acoustical Performance in Schools
■ An additional point can be attained by limiting the unoccupied background noise to below 40 dB(A) and constructing all core learning environment walls with the minimum STC rating per room purpose as specified by ANSI S12.60-2002 (U.S. Green Building Council, 2009).

Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems Contribution:

Many Armstrong Ceilings and Wall Systems meet these acoustical requirements. Learn more about Classroom Acoustics and use the reverberation tool to aid in product selection.