Ed Roberts Campus | ERC and MCS

ERC & Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

ERC was designed, and is maintained with, an awareness of the issues faced by those with MCS but the need to comply with building codes or other standards has not allowed the ERC to meet the needs of all individuals. It is our hope that providing information on the systems, products, and policies of the ERC will help individuals determine their ability to tolerate the building.

Air Quality
According to the final LEED IAQ report for the Ed Roberts Campus, "Based on air samples and measurements collected within the subject area on February 11, 2011, the criteria forLEED EQ outlined in the Green Building Rating System for Commercial Interiors has been met." This was before the offices were fully occupied but with furniture. Carbon Monoxide was undetected in 4 of 5 test sites and was well below the 9 parts per million standard in the one site where it was detected. Total Volatile Organic Compounds were well below the LEED criteria. Particulates and Formaldehyde were detected at less than half the concentrations specified by LEED. No 4-Phenylcyclohexane was detected. You can review the Indoor Air Quality Evaluation.

Ventilation Systems
The ERC heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system works through constant pressurization and air exchange. On the roof there are five large air handlers that run nonstop, taking in outside air. This air passes through dual HEPA filters and is then passed over heated or cooled water pipes to produce air at around 74 degrees. When it's cold outside the water is heated using automatic boilers. When it is hot, the water is cooled with forced air over water cooling towers. The tempered air that is produced is then piped into the space above the tenant suite ceilings (the plenum space). From there, the air is taken in by any of the 58 heat pumps that are spread throughout the building. These heat pumps pass the air through another HEPA filter and again over heated or cooled pipes depending on what is needed. This produces the heated or cooled air that is discharged into the space through a vent. Each vent is paired with a register that takes air back up into the plenum space where it is taken back up to the roof via 3 large general exhaust fans completing the air transfer cycle. Individual offices may have operable windows for fresh air, as well.

Construction Materials & Furniture
ERC building materials and furnishings were selected to meet LEED air quality standards, including the linoleum, carpet, glues, paint, and furnishings. Most products have been certified by a third party such as furniture that meets Indoor Advantage^cM Gold certification standards from Scientific Certification Systems. Carpet was installed in most offices prior to August of 2010 and were cleaned before move-in. The carpet used came from SHAW and passes the CRI Green Label Plus certification. CRI Green Label Plus is the highest standard for the Carpet and Rug Industry, the LEED standard and the referenced standard in the US Access Board/NIBS IEQ Project Report. Benjamin Moore Zero VOC paints were used.

Product descriptions and safety data sheets:

Cleaning Products
DFS Commercial's Green division provides cleaning for all business interiors including carpet, hard flooring surfaces, furniture & panel systems, etc., and employs an in-house LEED Accredited professionals to ensure compliance with all Green standards. Crystal Dry Carpet Cleaning Agent and Crystal Extract Encapsulating Pre-Spray are used on the carpets. Green Solutions window cleaner, disinfectant, and all purpose cleaners are used in the building. Tenants are provided with a list of allowable cleaning products that conform with LEED standards.

Landscaping
Terracare is the ERC outdoor landscape maintenance firm and has agreed not to use herbicides. Trees surrounding the ERC include three species that were present prior to development.

Pinus pinea - Italian Stone Pine

Populus fremontii - Cottonwood

Sequoia sempervirens - Coast Redwood

Additional trees were selected by MIG, in consultation with the City of Berkeley (City Arborist) and took into consideration BART design guidelines and City of Berkeley Design Review Committee recommendations.

Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywoodi' - Raywood Ash (Adeline Street)

Quercus coccinea - Scarlet Oak (Woolsey Street)

Tristaniopsis laurina - Swamp Myrtle (Tremont Street)

Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud (in planters on Adeline Street)

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' - Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Cercis occidentatlis - Western Redbud

Pistacia chinensis - Chinese Pistache

Plants were selected that would thrive with a minimal amount of water and announce the seasons with flowers, such as Redbuds, foliage colors in various seasons, such as Scarlet Oak and Chinese Pistache for brilliant fall colors and Japanese Maple variety 'Bloodgood' with deep red foliage to provide contrast to the Redwoods and Italian Stone Pines that were existing. Shrubs and groundcover were also guided with similar criteria and consists of climatically appropriate native and non-native plants. MIG also chose non-toxic plants for the ERC campus planting. Untreated cedar mulch is found especially along Woolsey Street.

Pest Control
Ecolab is using Terro to control ants at the ERC. According to the manufacturer's website on Terro: "The inert ingredients are sweet food-based products similar to pancake syrup. The active ingredient is Borax. Borax is a natural mineral that is found in many consumer products and has been used safely by homeowners for years."

Fragrance-free Workplace Policy
The ERC and tenant agencies are committed to maintaining a scent-free environment. Visitors are asked to refrain from wearing scented products to all events.

Electronic, Electric, and EMF
While the ERC is designed to use as much natural light as possible, florescent lighting had to be installed to meet building code requirements. The ERC also provides WIFI (wireless access) throughout the building. Electronically operated doors are needed to provide access for individuals with disabilities. FM Assisted Listening Devices may be in use in the conference rooms.