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Furniture / Furnishings

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Design Guidance

Overall Strategies

Furniture and furnishings play a large part in the indoor air and environmental quality of a space. Low-emitting furniture should be selected wherever possible in order to minimize any negative IAQ impact. finishes and flame retardants for the furniture should come from low emitting sources, and any hardwood should be third-party certified. Select simple furniture with fewer variations in materials. Metal fastenings or low VOC adhesives should be used to construct the furniture rather than high VOC adhesives. Use of metal fastenings is preferred reduces the amount of VOCs emitted as well as allowing for the furniture to be recycled or reused at the end of it's useful life. Additionally, furniture should be ergonomically-designed to provide maximum comfort and convenience for the occupant.

Seating

Seating is a critical component of the furnishings. High quality ergonomically flexible seating options are paramount in supporting a high quality work environment for each employee. Select seating options that avoid brominated flame retardants, plasticizers, or PVC. Additionally, the seating should be recyclable for proper disposal at the end of its useful life.

Desk

Desk selection should be driven by sustainable materials. Refer to the compare section for guidance. Using casters will support the flexibility for future relocation. Also consider use of key board trays and computer monitor mounting arms to support ergonomics.

Casework / Millwork

Select casework and millwork that have sustainable attributes such as rapidly renewable, recycled content and sustainably managed forest material. Also look for products that are low-VOC and formaldehyde-free. In addition, consider ease of maintenance and durability when choosing any material.

Green Tips

  • Use moveable, re-configurable furniture to maximizes functionality of space such as rolling/locking casters and moveable white boards.
  • Select ergonomically-designed furniture to provide maximum comfort and convenience for the occupants.
  • Use low-emitting furniture to protect indoor air quality.
  • Select third-party certified wood to ensure extraction is from a sustainably managed forest.
  • Evaluate sustainable attributes such as high recycled content and rapidly renewable materials when selecting furniture for the space.
  • Select furniture constructed with metal fastenings rather than high VOC adhesives to protect indoor air quality.
  • Use ENERGY STAR rated copiers, fax machines and other office equipment, they use less electricity.
  • Use double sided copy setting as default on all printing equipment.
  • Support recycling of toner cartridges and purchase of recycled content paper products.

Compare Furniture / Furnishings Options

EB = Existing BuildingsNC = New Construction and Major Renovation

Legal Requirements

Guiding Principles

  • Biobased Content ( Guiding Principles, Executive Order 13514 & 13423 [EB, NC])
    Section: V. Reduce Environmental Impact of Materials

    Per Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (FSRIA), for USDA-designated products, specify products with the highest content level per USDA's biobased content recommendations. For other products, specify biobased products made from rapidly renewable resources and certified sustainable wood products. If these designated products meet performance requirements and are available at a reasonable cost, a preference for purchasing them shall be included in all solicitations relevant to construction, operation, maintenance of or use in the building. USDA's biobased product designations and biobased content recommendations are available on USDA's BioPreferred website.

    FHPSB Biobased Content FSRIA and BioPreferred Guidelines Proposed and Final Regulations

  • Low-Emitting Materials ( Guiding Principles, Executive Order 13514 & 13423 [EB, NC])
    Section: IV. Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality

    Specify materials and products with low pollutant emissions, including composite wood products, adhesives, sealants, interior paints and finishes, carpet systems, and furnishings.

    FHPSB Low Emitting Materials

  • Recycled Content ( Guiding Principles, Executive Order 13514 & 13423 [EB, NC])
    Section: V. Reduce Environmental Impact of Materials

    Per Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (PDF), for EPA-designated products, specify products meeting or exceeding EPA's recycled content recommendations. For other products, specify materials with recycled content when practicable. If EPA-designated products meet performance requirements and are available at a reasonable cost, a preference for purchasing them shall be included in all solicitations relevant to construction, operation, maintenance of or use in the building. EPA's recycled content product designations and [recycled content] recommendations are available on EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guideline website.

    FHPSB Construction Waste | Whole Building Design Guide US EPA | Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines

SFO

  • ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE BUILDING PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS (DEC 2007) ( SFO)
    Section:

    A. The Lessor shall use environmentally preferable products and materials. The Lessor is encouraged to consider the lifecycle analysis of the product in addition to the initial cost. B. Refer to EPA's environmentally preferable purchasing web site, www.epa.gov/epp and USDA BioPreferred products web site biobased.oce.usda.gov/fb4p/. In general, environmentally preferable products and materials do one or more of the following: 1. Contain recycled material, are biobased, are rapidly renewable (10-year or shorter growth cycle), or have other positive environmental attributes; 2. Minimize the consumption of resources, energy, and water; 3. Prevent the creation of solid waste, air pollution, or water pollution; or 4. Promote the use of nontoxic substances and avoid toxic materials or processes. C. The Lessor is encouraged to use products that are extracted and manufactured regionally.

  • WOOD PRODUCTS (AUG 2008) ( SFO)
    Section:

    A. For all new installations of wood products, the Lessor is encouraged to use independently certified forest products. For information on certification and certified wood products, refer to the Forest Certification Resource Center (www.certifiedwood.org), the Forest Stewardship Council United States (www.fscus.org), or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (www.aboutsfi.org). B. New installations of wood products used under this contract shall not contain wood from endangered wood species, as listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The list of species can be found at the following web site: www.certifiedwood.orglResources/CITES/CITESContent, html. C. Particle board, strawboard, and plywood materials shall comply with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards for formaldehyde emission controls. Plywood materials shall not emit formaldehyde in excess of 0.2 parts per million (ppm), and particleboard materials shall not emit formaldehyde in excess of 0.3 ppm.

  • FLOOR COVERING AND PERIMETERS (AUG 2008) ( SFO)
    Section:

    A. BUILDING SHELL: 1. Exposed interior floors in primary entrances and lobbies shall be marble, granite or terrazzo. Exposed interior floors in secondary entrances, elevator lobbies, and primary interior corridors shall be high grade carpet, marble, granite, or terrazzo. Resilient flooring shall be used in telecommunications rooms. Floor perimeters at partitions shall have wood, rubber, vinyl, marble or carpet base. 2. Terrazzo, unglazed ceramic tile, recycled glass tile, and/or quarry tile shall be used in all toilet and service areas. 3. Any alternate flooring must be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer.