LEED v4
Existing Hospitality
Indoor Environmental Quality

Green cleaning - equipment

Hospitality-EBOM-v4 EQc8: Green cleaning - equipment

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SPECIAL REPORT

Cost of LEED v4

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

ESTABLISHMENT
Create an inventory of existing interior and exterior equipment, including what is brought on site by vendors. At least 40% of all powered janitorial equipment (purchased, leased, or used by contractors) must meet the following criteria. For existing equipment that does not meet the criteria, develop a phase-out plan for its replacement with environmentally preferable products at the end of its useful life. All powered equipment must have the following features:
  • safeguards, such as rollers or rubber bumpers, to avoid damage to building surfaces;
  • ergonomic design to minimize vibration, noise, and user fatigue, as reported in the user manual in accordance with ISO 5349-1 for arm vibrations, ISO 2631–1 for vibration to the whole body, and ISO 11201 for sound pressure at operator’s ear; and
  • as applicable, environmentally preferable batteries (e.g., gel, absorbent glass mat, lithium-ion) except in applications requiring deep discharge and heavy loads where performance or battery life is reduced by the use of sealed batteries.
Vacuum cleaners must be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Program and operate with a maximum sound level of 70 dBA or less in accordance with ISO 11201. Carpet extraction equipment, for restorative deep cleaning, must be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Extractors and Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Systems program. Powered floor maintenance equipment must have vacuums, guards, or other devices for capturing fine particles, and must operate with a maximum level of 70 dBA, in accordance with ISO 11201 Propane-powered floor equipment must have high-efficiency, low-emissions engines with catalytic converters and mufflers that meet the California Air Resources Board or EPA standards for the specific engine size and operate with a sound level of 90 dBA or less, in accordance with ISO 11201. Automated scrubbing machines must be equipped with variable-speed feed pumps and either (1) on-board chemical metering to optimize the use of cleaning fluids or (2) dilution control systems for chemical refilling. Alternatively, scrubbing machines may use tap water only, with no added cleaning products.
PERFORMANCE
At least 40% of all powered janitorial equipment (purchased, leased, or used by contractors) must meet the above criteria. For existing equipment that does not meet the criteria, develop a phase-out plan for its replacement with environmentally preferable products at the end of its useful life. See all forum discussions about this credit »

Frequently asked questions

In a multi-tenant building, some tenants have their own cleaning contractor. Does their equipment need to be included in the calculations for this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We are using green cleaning contractor that will comply with 100% of the green requirements in LEED for materials and equipment. However, they do not have a way to track the quantity/cost of the actual products that are used at our project site because th

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

My vacuum is CRI certified but operates above 70 dBA. Is it compliant with the credit requirements?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Cost estimates for this credit

On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.

Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.

Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »

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Documentation toolkit

The motherlode of cheat sheets

LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.

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Addenda

14/04/2017– Updated: 19/04/2017
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002159

Revise campus headers to "Group Approach" and "Campus Approach". Revise Campus Approach to: Ineligible. Each LEED project may pursue the credit individually.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
15/01/2016– Updated: 07/04/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
01/10/2015– Updated: 05/04/2016
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002032

Step-by-Step Guidance:
Step 1, revise the last two sentences: Confirm that the selected program covers at least 40% of eligible cleaning equipment, by cost or quantity.The contract with the service provider must also include a phase-out plan for replacing noncompliant equipment at the end of its useful life with environmentally preferable products.
Step 3, revise the first sentence: With the information from the equipment inventory, calculate compliance with the credit requirements based on either equipment cost or quantity of items, using Equation 1.
Step 4, revise first sentence: Monitor all new equipment purchases to ensure credit compliance will be met or maintained. The percent of compliant equipment is calculated from the total cost or quantity of all items used.
Step 4, revise first bullet: Powered equipment must meet the specified referenced standards for each equipment category as well as the more general criteria in the credit requirements to be considered compliant.
Step 6, replace second bullet with: Revise the equipment inventory as equipment is replaced and re-calculate compliance to ensure 40% of all powered equipment meets the applicable credit requirements.

Required Documentation Table:
-change first row to: Powered janitorial equipment inventory
-change second row to: Compliant equipment calculation
-change fourth row from E to P, and Updated compliant equipment calculation, as applicable

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2014– Updated: 14/02/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
100001841

Change the fifth paragraph so it reads: “Powered floor maintenance equipment must have vacuums, guards, or other devices for capturing fine particles, and must operate with a maximum level of 70 dBA, in accordance with ISO 11201."

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2014– Updated: 14/02/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100001841

Change the fifth paragraph so it reads: “Powered floor maintenance equipment must have vacuums, guards, or other devices for capturing fine particles, and must operate with a maximum level of 70 dBA, in accordance with ISO 11201."

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »
Guest expert

Stephen Ashkin

The Ashkin Group LLC
President

LEEDuser overview

Frank advice from LEED experts

LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now

Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

ESTABLISHMENT
Create an inventory of existing interior and exterior equipment, including what is brought on site by vendors. At least 40% of all powered janitorial equipment (purchased, leased, or used by contractors) must meet the following criteria. For existing equipment that does not meet the criteria, develop a phase-out plan for its replacement with environmentally preferable products at the end of its useful life. All powered equipment must have the following features:
  • safeguards, such as rollers or rubber bumpers, to avoid damage to building surfaces;
  • ergonomic design to minimize vibration, noise, and user fatigue, as reported in the user manual in accordance with ISO 5349-1 for arm vibrations, ISO 2631–1 for vibration to the whole body, and ISO 11201 for sound pressure at operator’s ear; and
  • as applicable, environmentally preferable batteries (e.g., gel, absorbent glass mat, lithium-ion) except in applications requiring deep discharge and heavy loads where performance or battery life is reduced by the use of sealed batteries.
Vacuum cleaners must be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Program and operate with a maximum sound level of 70 dBA or less in accordance with ISO 11201. Carpet extraction equipment, for restorative deep cleaning, must be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Extractors and Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Systems program. Powered floor maintenance equipment must have vacuums, guards, or other devices for capturing fine particles, and must operate with a maximum level of 70 dBA, in accordance with ISO 11201 Propane-powered floor equipment must have high-efficiency, low-emissions engines with catalytic converters and mufflers that meet the California Air Resources Board or EPA standards for the specific engine size and operate with a sound level of 90 dBA or less, in accordance with ISO 11201. Automated scrubbing machines must be equipped with variable-speed feed pumps and either (1) on-board chemical metering to optimize the use of cleaning fluids or (2) dilution control systems for chemical refilling. Alternatively, scrubbing machines may use tap water only, with no added cleaning products.
PERFORMANCE
At least 40% of all powered janitorial equipment (purchased, leased, or used by contractors) must meet the above criteria. For existing equipment that does not meet the criteria, develop a phase-out plan for its replacement with environmentally preferable products at the end of its useful life. See all forum discussions about this credit »

Documentation toolkit

The motherlode of cheat sheets

LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now

Frequently asked questions

In a multi-tenant building, some tenants have their own cleaning contractor. Does their equipment need to be included in the calculations for this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We are using green cleaning contractor that will comply with 100% of the green requirements in LEED for materials and equipment. However, they do not have a way to track the quantity/cost of the actual products that are used at our project site because th

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

My vacuum is CRI certified but operates above 70 dBA. Is it compliant with the credit requirements?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Addenda

14/04/2017– Updated: 19/04/2017
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002159

Revise campus headers to "Group Approach" and "Campus Approach". Revise Campus Approach to: Ineligible. Each LEED project may pursue the credit individually.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
15/01/2016– Updated: 07/04/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
01/10/2015– Updated: 05/04/2016
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002032

Step-by-Step Guidance:
Step 1, revise the last two sentences: Confirm that the selected program covers at least 40% of eligible cleaning equipment, by cost or quantity.The contract with the service provider must also include a phase-out plan for replacing noncompliant equipment at the end of its useful life with environmentally preferable products.
Step 3, revise the first sentence: With the information from the equipment inventory, calculate compliance with the credit requirements based on either equipment cost or quantity of items, using Equation 1.
Step 4, revise first sentence: Monitor all new equipment purchases to ensure credit compliance will be met or maintained. The percent of compliant equipment is calculated from the total cost or quantity of all items used.
Step 4, revise first bullet: Powered equipment must meet the specified referenced standards for each equipment category as well as the more general criteria in the credit requirements to be considered compliant.
Step 6, replace second bullet with: Revise the equipment inventory as equipment is replaced and re-calculate compliance to ensure 40% of all powered equipment meets the applicable credit requirements.

Required Documentation Table:
-change first row to: Powered janitorial equipment inventory
-change second row to: Compliant equipment calculation
-change fourth row from E to P, and Updated compliant equipment calculation, as applicable

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2014– Updated: 14/02/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
100001841

Change the fifth paragraph so it reads: “Powered floor maintenance equipment must have vacuums, guards, or other devices for capturing fine particles, and must operate with a maximum level of 70 dBA, in accordance with ISO 11201."

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2014– Updated: 14/02/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100001841

Change the fifth paragraph so it reads: “Powered floor maintenance equipment must have vacuums, guards, or other devices for capturing fine particles, and must operate with a maximum level of 70 dBA, in accordance with ISO 11201."

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »
Guest expert

Stephen Ashkin

The Ashkin Group LLC
President

See all forum discussions about this credit »