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Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

Section 5.504 — POLLUTANT CONTROL

2025 California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · California

5.504.1 Temporary ventilation. The permanent HVAC system shall only be used during construction if necessary to condition the building or areas of addition or alteration within the required temperature range for material and equipment installation. If the HVAC system is used during construction, use return air filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13, based on ASHRAE 52.2. Replace all filters immediately prior to occupancy, or, if the building is occupied during alteration, at the conclusion of construction.

5.504.2 Reserved.

5.504.3 Covering of duct openings and protection of mechanical equipment during construction. At the time of rough installation and during storage on the construction site until final startup of the heating, cooling and ventilating equipment, all duct and

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NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

other related air distribution component openings shall be covered with tape, plastic, sheet metal or other methods acceptable to the enforcing agency to reduce the amount of dust, water and debris which may enter the system.

5.504.4 Finish material pollutant control. Finish materials shall comply with Sections 5.504.4.1 through 5.504.4.6.

5.504.4.1 Adhesives, sealants and caulks. Adhesives, sealants and caulks used on the project shall meet the requirements of the following standards:

  1. Adhesives, adhesive bonding primers, adhesive primers, sealants, sealant primers and caulks shall comply with local or regional air pollution control or air quality management district rules where applicable, or SCAQMD Rule 1168 VOC limits, as shown in Tables 5.504.4.1 and 5.504.4.2. Such products also shall comply with the Rule 1168 prohibition on the use of certain toxic compounds (chloroform, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene), except for aerosol products as specified in subsection 2, below.
  2. Aerosol adhesives, and smaller unit sizes of adhesives, and sealant or caulking compounds (in units of product, less packaging, which do not weigh more than one pound and do not consist of more than 16 fluid ounces) shall comply with statewide VOC standards and other requirements, including prohibitions on use of certain toxic compounds, of Califor- nia Code of Regulations, Title 17, commencing with Section 94507.

d smaller unit sizes of adhesives, and sealant or caulking compounds (in units of product, less packaging, which do not weigh more than one pound and do not consist of more than 16 fluid ounces) shall comply with statewide VOC standards and other requirements, including prohibitions on use of certain toxic compounds, of Califor- nia Code of Regulations, Title 17, commencing with Section 94507.

TABLE 5.504.4.1—ADHESIVE VOC LIMIT1,2—Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds in Grams Per Liter

ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATIONS CURRENT VOC LIMIT
Indoor carpet adhesives 50
Carpet pad adhesives 50
Outdoor carpet adhesives 150
Wood flooring adhesive 100
Rubber floor adhesives 60
Subfloor adhesives 50
Ceramic tile adhesives 65
VCT and asphalt tile adhesives 50
Drywall and panel adhesives 50
Cove base adhesives 50
Multipurpose construction adhesives 70
Structural glazing adhesives 100
Single-ply roof membrane adhesives 250
Other adhesive not specifically listed 50
SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS
PVC welding 510
CPVC welding 490
ABS welding 325
Plastic cement welding 250
Adhesive primer for plastic 550
Contact adhesive 80
Special purpose contact adhesive 250
Structural wood member adhesive 140
Top and trim adhesive 250
SUBSTRATE SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
Metal to metal 30
Plastic foams 50
Porous material (except wood) 50
Wood 30
Fiberglass 80
1. If an adhesive is used to bond dissimilar substrates together the adhesive with the highest VOC content shall be allowed.
2. For additional information regarding methods to measure the VOC content specified in this table, seeSouth Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168,
http://www.arb.ca.gov/DRDB/SC/CURHTML/R1168.PDF.

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TABLE 5.504.4.2—SEALANT VOC LIMIT—Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds in Grams per Liter

SEALANTS CURRENT VOC LIMIT
Architectural 250
Marine deck 760
Nonmembrane roof 300
Roadway 250
Single-ply roof membrane 450
Other 420
SEALANT PRIMERS
Architectural
Nonporous
Porous
250
775
Modified bituminous 500
Marine deck 760
Other 750
Note: For additional information regarding methods to measure the VOC content specified in these tables, see South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168.

5.504.4.3 Paints and coatings. Architectural paints and coatings shall comply with VOC limits in Table 1 of the ARB Architectural Coatings Suggested Control Measure, as shown in Table 5.504.4.3, unless more stringent local limits apply. The VOC content limit for coatings that do not meet the definitions for the specialty coatings categories listed in Table 5.504.4.3 shall be determined by classifying the coating as a Flat, Nonflat or Nonflat-High Gloss coating, based on its gloss, as defined in Subsections 4.21, 4.36 and 4.37 of the 2007 California Air Resources Board Suggested Control Measure, and the corresponding Flat, Nonflat or Nonflat-High Gloss VOC limit in Table 5.504.4.3 shall apply.

TABLE 5.504.4.3—VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS2, 3
Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds

COATING CATEGORY CURRENT LIMIT
Flat coatings 50
Nonflat coatings 100
Nonflat-high gloss coatings 150
SPECIALTY COATINGS
Aluminum roof coatings 400
Basement specialty coatings 400
Bituminous roof coatings 50
Bituminous roof primers 350
Bond breakers 350
Concrete curing compounds 350
Concrete/masonry sealers 100
Driveway sealers 50
Dry fog coatings 150
Faux finishing coatings 350
Fire resistive coatings 350
Floor coatings 100
Form-release compounds 250
Graphic arts coatings (sign paints) 500
High temperature coatings 420
Industrial maintenance coatings 250
Low solids coatings1 120
Magnesite cement coatings 450
Mastic texture coatings 100
Metallic pigmented coatings 500

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TABLE 5.504.4.3—VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS2, 3
Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds—continued

SPECIALTY COATINGS
Multicolor coatings 250
Pretreatment wash primers 420
Primers, sealers and undercoaters 100
Reactive penetrating sealers 350
Recycled coatings 250
Roof coatings 50
Rust preventative coatings 250
Shellacs
Clear
Opaque
730
550
Specialty primers, sealers and undercoaters 100
Stains 250
Stone consolidants 450
Swimming pool coatings 340
Traffic marking coatings 100
Tub and tile refinish coatings 420
Waterproofing membranes 250
Wood coatings 275
Wood preservatives 350
Zinc-rich primers 340
1. Grams of VOC per liter of coating, including water and including exempt compounds.
2. The specified limits remain in effect unless revised limits are listed in subsequent columns in the table.
3. Values in this table are derived from those specified by the California Air Resources Board, Architectural Coatings Suggested Control Measure, February 1, 2008. More informa-
tion is available from the Air Resources Board.

5.504.4.3.1 Aerosol paints and coatings. Aerosol paints and coatings shall meet the PWMIR Limits for ROC in Section 94522(a)(3) and other requirements, including prohibitions on use of certain toxic compounds and ozone depleting substances, in Sections 94522(c)(2) and (d)(2) of California Code of Regulations, Title 17, commencing with Section 94520; and in areas under the jurisdiction of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District additionally comply with the percent VOC by weight of product limits of Regulation 8 Rule 49.

5.504.4.3.2 Verification. Verification of compliance with this section shall be provided at the request of the enforcing agency. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. Manufacturer’s product specification
  2. Field verification of on-site product containers

5.504.4.4 Carpet systems. All carpet installed in the building interior shall meet the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material

5.504.4.4.1 Carpet cushion. All carpet cushion installed in the building interior shall meet the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material

5.504.4.4.2 Carpet adhesive. All carpet adhesive shall meet the requirements of Table 5.504.4.1.

5.504.4.5 Composite wood products. Hardwood plywood, particleboard and medium density fiberboard composite wood products used on the interior or exterior of the building shall meet the requirements for formaldehyde as specified in ARB’s Air Toxics

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Control Measure (ATCM) for Composite Wood (17 CCR 93120 et seq.) Those materials not exempted under the ATCM must meet the specified emission limits, as shown in Table 5.504.4.5.

TABLE 5.504.4.5—FORMALDEHYDE LIMITS1—Maximum Formaldehyde Emissions in Parts per Million

PRODUCT CURRENT LIMIT
Hardwood plywood veneer core 0.05
Hardwood plywood composite core 0.05
Particleboard 0.09
Medium density fiberboard 0.11
Thin medium density fiberboard2 0.13
1. Values in this table are derived from those specified by the California Air Resources Board, Air Toxics Control Measure for Composite Wood as tested in accordance with ASTM
E1333. For additional information, see_California Code of Regulations_, Title 17, Sections 93120 through 93120.12.
2. Thin medium density fiberboard has a maximum thickness of 5/16 inch (8 mm).

5.504.4.5.1 Early compliance. Reserved.

5.504.4.5.3 Documentation. Verification of compliance with this section shall be provided as requested by the enforcing agency. Documentation shall include at least one of the following:

  1. Product certifications and specifications.
  2. Chain of custody certifications.
  3. Product labeled and invoiced as meeting the Composite Wood Products regulation (see CCR, Title 17, Section 93120, et seq .).
  4. Exterior grade products marked as meeting the PS-1 or PS-2 standards of the Engineered Wood Association, the Australian AS/NZS 2269 or European 636 3S standards.
  5. Other methods acceptable to the enforcing agency.

specifications. 2. Chain of custody certifications. 3. Product labeled and invoiced as meeting the Composite Wood Products regulation (see CCR, Title 17, Section 93120, et seq .). 4. Exterior grade products marked as meeting the PS-1 or PS-2 standards of the Engineered Wood Association, the Australian AS/NZS 2269 or European 636 3S standards. 5. Other methods acceptable to the enforcing agency.

5.504.4.6 Resilient flooring systems. Where resilient flooring is installed, at least 80 percent of floor area receiving resilient flooring shall meet the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material

5.504.4.6.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that resilient flooring materials meet the pollutant emission limits.

5.504.4.7 Thermal insulation . Comply with the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/ Pages/VOC.aspx#material

5.504.4.7.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that thermal insulation materials meet the pollutant emission limits.

5.504.4.8 Acoustical ceilings and wall panels . Comply with the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material

5.504.4.8.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that acoustical finish materials meet the pollutant emission limits.

5.504.5 Filters. In mechanically ventilated buildings, provide regularly occupied areas of the building with air filtration media for outside and return air that provides at least a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13. MERV 13 filters shall be installed prior to occupancy, and recommendations for maintenance with filters of the same value shall be included in the operation and maintenance manual.

Exception: Existing mechanical equipment.

5.504.5.1 Labeling. Installed filters shall be clearly labeled by the manufacturer indicating the MERV rating.

5.504.6 Reserved.

5.504.7 Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control. Where outdoor areas are provided for smoking, prohibit smoking within 25 feet of building entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows and within the building as already prohibited by other laws or

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regulations; or as enforced by ordinances, regulations or policies of any city, county, city and county, California Community College, campus of the California State University, or campus of the University of California, whichever are more stringent. When ordinances, regulations or policies are not in place, post signage to inform building occupants of the prohibitions.

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