The commercial cleaning industry in the U.S. annually uses 8 billion pounds of chemicals annually.1 These chemicals, as well as operations and maintenance, practices have a tremendous impact on indoor environmental quality. Integrating sustainable O&M plans, procedures, and technologies into everyday maintenance will ensure long-lasting Health Impacts are continued.
1. LEED Existing Building Operations and Maintenance Reference Manual
A successful Green Cleaning Plan limits the exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemicals, ensures proper custodial effectiveness and emphasizes the use of sustainable cleaning products and equipment. A Green Cleaning Plan is essential to ensuring long-lasting IEQ benefits are maintained. Avoid the use of toxic or gas-emitting cleaning products by specifying environmentally-conscious and certified alternatives. In a similar manner, cleaning equipment and systems should utilize toxic-free techniques that still provide the desired outcome. Creating a plan that outlines cleaning schedules and procedures while systematically evaluating its own effectiveness will ensure IEQ is maintained throughout the building’s life cycle.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an economically and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that utilizes information on pest life cycles to create a solution that provides the least hazards to people, property and the environment. By utilizing IPM principles, internal pest problems can be mitigated in an efficient manner that uses the least amount of pesticides. EPA’s Building Assessment Study and Evaluation (BASE) study of 100 office buildings found that 15% percent of the buildings had no interior pesticide applications and 33% of the buildings had no exterior pesticide applications.1 Pesticide protection ensures the health of both the building and its occupants is maintained.
1. EPA - Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) Study
Entryway dirt capture systems serve to isolate contaminants that would otherwise be carried into the interior space, leading to decreased IAQ, cosmetic damage, and excessive maintenance resources. Dust and dirt can be carried into buildings on people’s footwear, contributing to contaminated air and reducing the life of interior flooring. Incorporating an entryway dirt capture or walk-off system by the exterior doors collects particulates that would otherwise be ingested or need to be cleaned by custodial staff. Up to 24 pounds of dirt can be tracked in by just 1,000 people during a 20-day work period, costing on average $500 to remove per pound.1 As a result, integrating an entryway system can prevent not only dirt circulation but save money on overall upkeep costs.
1. The Importance of Entryway Matting
Moisture can enter the office building in a number of ways, including leaks in the building envelope and plumbing systems or excessive moisture in the circulated air. This moisture and dampness facilitates mold growth, which cause adverse health effects, and can lead to costly damages of interior products and systems. EPA’s BASE study found that of the 100 commercial office buildings evaluated, 85% had past water damage and 45% had current water leaks.1 Moisture control techniques include dehumidification systems, submetering of water lines, and meticulous evaluation of the building’s envelope, foundation, and roofing systems.
1. EPA - Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) Study
Systems can malfunction, drift out of spec, or become obsolete over the life time of the building. It is important to commission and regularly re-commission building components, such as the entire HVAC, Water, and Lighting systems to ensure that their functionality is maintained and indoor environmental quality is not compromised. Adequate access to these system components must be accounted for to allow for testing and evaluations to take place. Consider issuing an occupant survey prior to any re-commissioning actions to identify areas were more resources should be allocated.
