Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

Targeted Building Inspection AreasBasements, Crawl Spaces, and Areas Containing Mechanical Systems❑ Examine the basement and crawl space for dust, debris, insects, standing water, andmoisture damage or seepage.Basements or other areas containing a building’s mechanical systems require special attention,since such unsanitary areas can promote the spread of pollutants throughout the entirebuilding. Simple problems may require only better ventilation, cleaning, and disinfection;more serious or structural problems, the services of an outside contractor. To test that sumppumps and drains are working properly, simply run water in them for at least five minutes.❑ Examine flues, vents, back-draft dampers, fans, and filters, noting their general conditionand any obstructions, and making repairs as required.Regularly inspect, clean, and replace filters for humidifiers and air-delivery systems.❑ Ensure that basements and areas containing mechanical systems have no water leaksor standing water, which could spread biocontamination by way of the HVAC system.Remove standing water with a wet/dry vacuum and dispose of it properly. Keep floors cleanand dust free. Control high humidity and excessive heat to further prevent the growth ofbiocontaminants. (Specific maintenance requirements for HVAC systems are found inChapter 12, “HVAC Electrical and Plumbing Systems,” Chapter 13, “Indoor Air Quality,”and Chapter 21, “Building Operations and Maintenance.”)G a r a g e s , Loading Docks, and Shop A re a s❑ Examine garages, loading docks, shop areas, and any other areas below ground or atground level.Tracked-in soils, vehicle exhaust, and equipment fumes from these areas can affect theindoor environment; garbage dumpsters, often located in these areas, can be a major sourceof biocontaminants. The maintenance of these areas is especially critical if they are locatednear fresh-air vents and heating or cooling towers. If they are, relocate either the trash containeror the HVAC component. Also, to avoid contamination from exhaust, ensure thatfresh-air intakes are not adjacent to truck-loading areas.❑ To keep pollutants out of the living and working spaces of a building, keep garagesand loading areas free of excessive wastes, especially dusts, oil, and grease that can betracked inside.– Clean exterior surfaces with high-pressure washers.– Collect and remove trash frequently.– Provide adequate ventilation (direct exhaust) as needed to control volatile organic compound(VOC) emissions, especially vapors from stored fuels, lubricants, and solvents.– If local filter traps and absorbents are used, maintain them regularly.Floor and Carpet Care❑ Pay special attention to carpeted entryways, carpeted entry mats, and carpetingin general.An estimated 85 percent of the soil deposited in carpets is brought in by foot traffic, so payspecial attention to the first six to nine feet of any carpeted area, where the majority oftracked-in soils are likely to be deposited. Pay close attention also to carpeted areas underany vent fed by unfiltered outside air.❑ Base cleaning frequency on the types of activities conducted in a building, as well ason its traffic levels, soil load, and desired appearance.High-traffic and prominent areas typically require daily vacuuming—in many cases, severaltimes each day. For efficiency, concentrate on the traffic lanes, which often represent only25 percent of the total floor area.