Green cleaning - custodial effectiveness assessment

Intent

To reduce the exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemical, biological and particulate contaminants, which adversely affect air quality, human health, building finishes, building systems and the environment, by implementing, managing and auditing cleaning procedures and processes.

Requirements

Conduct an audit in accordance with APPA Leadership in Educational Facilities’ (APPA) “Custodial Staffing Guidelines” to determine the appearance level of the facility.

• The facility must score 3 or less.

More information about the audit procedures is provided in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition.

Behind the intent

This credit focuses on how to demonstrate effective cleaning, the successful result of implementing a few simple best management practices. A clean building is a healthy and productive building, and the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of any green cleaning program is by auditing the outcome of custodial processes.

Studies show that improved indoor air quality has proven health benefits. It’s not surprising that occupants in well-cleaned and well-maintained facilities report fewer health problems. Fewer health problems translate to reduced absenteeism, improved well-being and increased productivity. Cleanliness has also been shown to increase repeat business in retail and hospitality and improve student achievement in schools. In addition, janitorial staff can also help increase the longevity of building systems and finishes and reduce negative environmental effects from excessive or poor cleaning procedures.

Building custodial assessment audits are an effective way to measure cleaning performance. It allows the building management staff to verify that the building is clean, that the cleaning procedures are being followed, and that an appropriate cleaning staff training is being maintained. It also allows the building management staff to identify areas that may need improvement in order to improve occupant comfort.

Benefits of meeting the credit intent include:

Step by step guidance

Step 1: Confirm EQpX: Green Cleaning Policy option alignment

Before you begin this credit, ensure that a green cleaning policy has been approved by the building owner for the project. Also ensure that baselines have been established for the following per direction provided under EQpX: Green Cleaning Policy:

• Energy and water used for cleaning purposes
• Sustainable Cleaning products purchase
• Sustainable Cleaning equipment purchase
• Toxicity reduction

Select either option 1 or option 2 based on the option selected for meeting the green cleaning prerequisite. See Further Explanation for projects that have more than one janitorial/cleaning service provider.

Further explanation

More than one cleaning vendor

If different parts of the building are cleaned by different cleaning vendors, this credit can still be achieved.

1. The Implementation of the green cleaning policy must at least be documented for the portion of the building that is under the building management’s control
2. The APPA audit must encompass ALL areas of the building, i.e. the number of spaces in each space type category must be determined based on all of the area in the building and the randomly selected space must be representative of the entire building. Up to 10% of the floor area may be exempted from the audit only if the exempted floor area is occupied by a tenant that does not wish to participate in the audit

EB O&M recertification

For recertification, continue to implement the Green Cleaning Policy and conduct an APPA audit at least once every two years.

Project type modifications

Multi-family Residential: As the majority of the spaces within multi-family residential projects are primarily cleaned by the residential occupants, multi-family residential projects are not eligible for this credit.

Campus

• Group credits (N/A)
• Master site (N/A)

Projects outside of the U.S.

Cleaning products that are certified by a local sustainability standard or environmental certification program accredited by ISO 14020/14024 as a Type 1 Eco-label or ANSI may be used in lieu of Green Seal certification.

Related tips

EQp3 Green cleaning policy

This credit is driven by the policy requirements established in the EQp1 green cleaning policy prerequisite.

EQc3.2 Green cleaning - products and materials & EQc3.3 Green cleaning - equipment

There is an overlap between these two credits and EQc3.1: Green Cleaning – Custodial Effectiveness. The main difference is that there are no pre-determined performance thresholds for EQc3.1; the project team can determine the performance threshold via the green cleaning policy. However, EQc3.2 and/or EQc3.3 contain specific performance thresholds that must be attained to achieve these credits.

Changes from previous versions

Additional documentation beyond an APPA audit is now required to verify all aspects of the green cleaning policy are being implemented, such as:

• Tracking of energy and water use
• Verification of cleaning products being used
• Verification of cleaning equipment is being used
• Staffing and training plans

Team members

Building/property manager

• Purchasing entity/vendor
• Cleaning staff, Cleaning contactor