PRINCIPLES AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS OF THE EMISSION CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDING MATERIALS IN FINLAND

摘要

The first version of the Emission Classification was developed by the Finnish Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (FiSIAQ) in 1995 as part of Classification of Indoor Climate, Construction, and Finishing Materials. The publication includes measurable target values, cleanliness requirements and emission criteria for building materials. New revised edition was published in 2001. The Emission Classification of Building Materials has been the most successful part of the IAQ classification. The first M1-label was granted in 1996 and in February 2005 there were over 850 M1-labelled products from over 110 companies. The largest groups are plastic sheet flooring, paint and vanishes, plasters and leveling agents, mineral wools, gypsum boards and adhesives. The scope of this classification has been extended to the cleanliness classification of air-handling components year 2001. It includes ducts, fittings, air and fire dampers and also supply air filters. Results and experiences of this well functioning Emission Classification of Building Materials and air-handling components will be presented. In order to improve the IAQ in real conditions other sources of odours and emissions have to take into consideration. Strong sources of harmful chemicals are furniture and cleaners, waxes and other conditioners used for example for floors. There have been discussions to extend the scope of the Emission Classification. The principles for these new requirements and the criteria of the classification will be presented. It would be better, if the Emission Classification of Construction Materials could be international. The requirements for such system will be proposed in this paper based on the Finnish experiences on the Emission Classification.