Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 10.6
Green Cleaning: Low Environmental Impact Cleaning Equipment Policy
1 Point

Cleaning equipment policy needs to specify that: 

• Vacuum cleaners meet the requirements of the Carpet & Rug Institute Green Label Program and are capable of capturing 96% of particulates 0.3 microns in size and operate with a sound level less than 70dBA.
• Hot water extraction equipment for deep cleaning carpets are capable of removing sufficient moisture such that carpets can dry in less than 24 hours.
• Powered maintenance equipment including floor buffers, burnishers and automatic scrubbers are equipped with vacuums, guards and/or other devices for capturing fine particulates, and shall operate with a sound level less than 70dBA.
• Propane-powered floor equipment have high-efficiency, low-emissions engines.
• Automated scrubbing machines are equipped with variable-speed feed pumps to optimize the use of cleaning fluids.
• Battery-powered equipment are equipped with environmentally preferable gel batteries.
• Where appropriate, active micro fiber technology are used to reduce cleaning chemical consumption and prolong life of disposable scrubbing pads.
• Powered equipment are ergonomically designed to minimize vibration, noise and user fatigue.
• Equipment has rubber bumpers to reduce potential damage to building surfaces.
• A log will be kept for all powered housekeeping equipment to document the date of equipment purchase and all repair and maintenance activities and include vendor cut sheets for each type of equipment in use in the logbook.

Potential Technologies & Strategies:

Develop, implement and maintain a policy for the use of janitorial equipment that maximizes effective reduction of building contaminants with minimum environmental impact. Evaluate the janitorial equipment currently being used and make a plan for upgrading to janitorial equipment that maximizes effective reduction of building contaminants with minimum environmental impact.

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