Chapter 8 — COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

Section A6.504 — POLLUTANT CONTROL

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

A6.504.4.5.1 No-added formaldehyde. Use composite wood products approved by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as no-added formaldehyde (NAF) based resins or ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resins.

Notes:

See Title 17, Section 93120.3(c) and (d), respectively.
Documentation must be provided verifying that materials are certified to meet the pollutant emission limits. A list [of manufacturers and their NAF and ULEF certified materials is provided at http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/comp-](http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/comp-wood/ naf_ulef/ listofnaf_ulef.htm.) wood/ naf_ulef/ listofnaf_ulef.htm.

A6.504.4.9 Acoustical ceilings and wall panels. Comply with Chapter 8 in Title 24, Part 2, the California Building Code and with the VOC-emission limits defined in the 2009 CHPS criteria and listed on its High Performance Products Database.

A6.504.4.9.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that acoustical finish materials meet the pollutant emission limits.

Note: Products compliant with CHPS criteria certified under the Greenguard Children & Schools program may also be used.

Note: [OSHPD 1, 2 &4] Documentation shall be provided that verifies that finish materials are certified to meet the pollutant emission limits.

A6.504.5 Hazardous particulates and chemical pollutants. Minimize and control pollutant entry into buildings and cross-contamination of regularly occupied areas.

A6.504.5.1 Entryway systems. Install permanent entryway systems measuring at least six feet in the primary direction of travel to capture dirt and particulates at entryways directly connected to the outdoors.

Qualifying entryways are those that serve as regular entry points for building users.
Acceptable entryway systems include, but are not limited to, permanently installed grates, grilles or slotted systems that allow cleaning underneath.
Roll-out mats are acceptable only when maintained regularly by janitorial contractors as documented in service contract or by in-house staff as documented by written policies and procedures.

A6.504.8 Finish material pollutant control. [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4] Finish materials shall comply with Sections A6.504.4.1 through A6.504.4.5.

A6.504.8.1 Adhesives, sealants and caulks. Adhesives, sealants and caulks used on the project shall meet the requirements of the following standards:

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 A6.504.8(1) and A6.504.8(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.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]

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 California Code of Regulations, Title 17, commencing with Section 94507.

Note: Title 17 may be found at http://ccr.oal.ca.gov/.

TABLE A6.504.8(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.

TABLE A6.504.8(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, seeSouth Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168: http://www.arb.ca.gov/DRDB/SC/CURHTML/R1168.PDF.

APPENDIX A6.1-34 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]

A6.504.8.3 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 A6.504.8.3, unless local limits apply. The VOC content limit for coatings that do not meet the definitions for the specialty coatings categories listed in Table A6.504.8.3, 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 A6.504.8.3 shall apply.

for the specialty coatings categories listed in Table A6.504.8.3, 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 A6.504.8.3 shall apply.

TABLE A6.504.8.3—VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS2, 3
Grams of VOC Per Liter of Coating, Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds

COATING CATEGORY	EFFECTIVE 1/1/2010	EFFECTIVE 1/1/2012
Flat coatings	50
Nonflat coatings	100
Nonflat-high gloss coatings	150
Specialty coatings	Specialty coatings	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
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	400	250
Shellacs: Clear Opaque	730 550
Specialty primers, sealers and undercoaters	350	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 at Air Resources Board.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]

A6.504.8.3.1 Aerosol paints and coatings. Aerosol paints and coatings shall meet the Product-Weighted MIR 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.

A6.504.8.3.2 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:

Manufacturers product specification.
Field verification of on-site product containers.

A6.504.8.4 Carpet systems. All carpet installed in the building interior shall meet the testing and product requirements of one of the following:

Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Program.
California Department of Public Health Standard Practice for the testing of VOCs (Specification 01350).
NSF/ANSI 140 at the Gold level.
Scientific Certifications Systems Sustainable Choice.

A6.504.8.4.1 Carpet cushion. All carpet cushion installed in the building interior shall meet the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label program.

A6.504.8.4.2 Carpet adhesive. All carpet adhesive shall meet the requirements of Table A6.504.8.1.

A6.504.8.5 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 Control Measure for Composite Wood (17 CCR 93120 et seq.), by or before the dates specified in those sections, as shown in Table A6.504.8.5.

TABLE A6.504.8.5—FORMALDEHYDE LIMITS1

Product	Current Limit	Jan 1, 2012	July 1, 2012
Hardwood plywood veneer core	0.05
Hardwood plywood composite core	0.08		0.05
Particle board	0.09
Medium density fiberboard	0.11
Thin medium density fiberboard2	0.21	.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 E1333-96 (2002). 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 eight millimeters.

A6.504.8.5.2 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:

Product certifications and specifications.
Chain of custody certifications.
Other methods acceptable to the enforcing agency.

A6.504.9 Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control. [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4] 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, if not already prohibited by other laws or 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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▸ Contents — 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11)

2025 California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11)