Contego HS Now Supports LEED v4 / v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials

As sustainability requirements continue to shape modern building design, material emissions and indoor air quality (IAQ) are increasingly important considerations—particularly for exposed structural steel fire protection.

Contego International is pleased to share that Contego High Solids RFB IFRM has been independently evaluated for VOC emissions and now supports LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials requirements for paints and coatings.

What Changed?

Contego HS has recently completed third‑party emissions testing in accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2, the emissions protocol referenced by LEED v4 and v4.1 for Low‑Emitting Materials.

This testing evaluates what actually matters for occupants: what is released into indoor air after installation, not just what is listed on a label.

Emissions Testing Summary

Independent environmental chamber testing confirmed that Contego HS meets the LEED emissions thresholds under modeled building conditions.

Test Highlights:

• Test Method: CDPH Standard Method v1.2
• Modeled Scenarios: Private Office and School Classroom
• Modeled TVOC Results:
  • Private Office: 0.1 mg/m³
  • School Classroom: < 0.1 mg/m³
• LEED Allowable Limit: ≤ 0.5 mg/m³
• Result: PASS for all modeled scenarios

These results place Contego HS well below LEED’s allowable emission limits.

What This Means for LEED Projects

Contego HS may now be used to support project compliance with:

LEED v4 / v4.1 EQ Credit – Low‑Emitting Materials (Paints and Coatings)

As with all LEED credits, compliance is determined at the project level, based on the percentage of compliant materials used. Contego HS provides architects, engineers, and contractors with an additional compliant option when specifying intumescent fire‑resistive materials in exposed or architectural applications.

VOC Content vs. VOC Emissions

It is important to distinguish between VOC content and VOC emissions:

• VOC content (e.g., ASTM D3960) measures what is in the liquid coating.
• VOC emissions (CDPH 01350) measure what is released into indoor air after installation.

LEED v4 and v4.1 rely on emissions testing, which is why CDPH Standard Method v1.2 is the controlling requirement for Low‑Emitting Materials.

Contego HS has also demonstrated a low VOC content of 8 g/L per ASTM D3960 testing; however, emissions performance is the primary basis for LEED compliance.

Why This Matters for Intumescent Fireproofing

Unlike concealed fireproofing, intumescent coatings are often left exposed in architectural spaces. Ensuring that these materials meet IAQ expectations, without compromising fire performance, is critical for:

• Offices and corporate interiors
• Schools and educational facilities
• Public buildings
• Exposed structural steel designs

Contego HS was developed to balance fire resistance, aesthetics, constructability, and indoor air quality.

Documentation Availability

A LEED v4 / v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials Compliance Letter is available to support project submittals.

Full third‑party test reports are available upon request.

Looking Ahead

As sustainability requirements continue to evolve, Contego remains committed to providing technically sound, transparent, and compliant fire‑resistive solutions.

If you have questions about LEED compliance, emissions testing, or how Contego HS fits into your next project, our technical team is available to assist.

LEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED credits are awarded at the project level; products support compliance but are not individually certified.