Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

5.Develop procedures to address accidents—for example, air contamination causedby noxious chemical reactions, spills, and water leaks.6.Minimize human exposure to harmful contaminants and cleaning residues.7.Minimize chemical and moisture residue when cleaning.8.Ensure the safety of workers and building occupants at all times.9.Minimize the pollutants that enter the building. Dilution of chemicals does noteliminate contamination; control at the source is recommended.10. Dispose of cleaning waste in environmentally safe ways.G reen Housekeeping and Custodial Practices❑ Tailor cleaning procedures to building activities, and avoid scheduling conflicts.Different areas of a building require area-specific cleaning. A day-care center in anoffice building, for example, requires different housekeeping procedures—at a differentfrequency—from those for a conference room in the same building.– Inform building occupants about scheduled major cleanings and any other eventsthat may affect their health and comfort.– Coordinate housekeeping with the operation of building air-handling systems toensure that work performed in one area does not affect others, and that adequateventilation is available for housekeeping and custodial workers. When possible,schedule tasks so that the building can be fully ventilated after cleaning and priorto occupancy.❑ Always follow proper dilution, use, safety, and disposal directions for cleaningproducts.The products selected (see “Cleaning Products,” later in this chapter) should be theleast toxic possible for the specific cleaning task. When using cleaning products, postappropriate safety signs, such as “Wet Floors” or “Construction Area.”❑ Develop a baseline as the first step in determining a building’s cleaning requirements.Not only will a baseline help establish a strategy for the building’s custodial program, butit will also identify weaknesses in the program, encouraging continual improvement.❑ Conduct an annual baseline review or survey, paying particular attention tochanges in adjacent properties, building renovations, or changes in building use(such as requirements of new tenants).– Inspect the outdoor environment for contaminants, then inspect the building’s interior.Outside pollution sources may include dirt surfaces such as roads, walkways, orshrubbery; fields where pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals may be used; soils;poorly draining surfaces, such as flat roofs, roads, and parking lots; trash, includingthe building’s and neighboring trash-collection sites; automobile traffic; and localindustries.– Analyze the building’s exterior to determine the routes by which pollutants enterthe building. Make sure to look for standing water on roofs, which can seep into abuilding and create breeding grounds for biocontaminants.– Inspect the entire building to identify sources or conditions that contribute topollution, especially biopollutants and particles. Areas to inspect include the following:evidence of living organisms, mold, and mildew in the basement; generaldust levels; condensation or paint distortion on or around windows and doorways;discolored ceiling tiles (an indication of water leakage); and odors or mustysmells. If any of these conditions exist, perform maintenance and increase thefrequency of cleaning.