Hi,
For an GCC-based project, our client has confirmed they currently have a cleaning contractor holding British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) certification. Is anyone familiar with this certification? Would this qualify as a local equivalent of GS-42 or CIMS-GB?
Thanks :)
Stephen Ashkin
PresidentThe Ashkin Group LLC
LEEDuser Expert
1 thumbs up
September 18, 2018 - 12:47 pm
Hello Shakir,
I am the person who wrote that requirement in LEED-EB and also worked on both GS-42 and CIMS-GB.
I am 99% sure that BICS would meet the requirement and will send them an email to confirm this. I should have further confirmation for you in a few days.
Best regards,
Steve Ashkin
Shakir Ismail
Associate Director - Sustainability AccreditationRed Sea Global
11 thumbs up
September 23, 2018 - 6:10 am
Hi Steve - thanks for reaching out. Any updates on whether or not BICS will be deemed compliant for our project?
Stephen Ashkin
PresidentThe Ashkin Group LLC
LEEDuser Expert
1 thumbs up
September 24, 2018 - 6:44 pm
Hello Shakir - the response from BICS was unclear. So I have requested some additional information and hopefully they will get it to me in the next day or two. Sorry for the delay, but I want to get it right for you. Steve
Stephen Ashkin
PresidentThe Ashkin Group LLC
LEEDuser Expert
1 thumbs up
September 25, 2018 - 3:28 pm
Hello Shakir - I got the additional information that I was looking for from BICS. I would not consider the BICS program to be similar to either ISSA's CIMS-GB or Green Seal's GS-42 Service Standard because BICS does not audit or verify if the service is actually doing what the standard requires. Rather, BICS program should be thought of more as a training program, as opposed to a certification system. Perhaps GBCI will look at this differently, but this is my opinion. Hope it helps, Steve
Shakir Ismail
Associate Director - Sustainability AccreditationRed Sea Global
11 thumbs up
September 26, 2018 - 1:37 am
Hi Steve - that's what I feared because when I asked the person in charge of cleaning from the building management he didn't seem to think the cleaning contractor was audited by any party. Thanks for attending to this with interest. I appreciate your support.
Stephen Ashkin
PresidentThe Ashkin Group LLC
LEEDuser Expert
1 thumbs up
September 26, 2018 - 11:22 am
Hi Shakir --- sorry this didn't work for you. The good news is that through my discussions with BICS they want to make improvements to their standards so it can be used in the future. So at least your interest will encourage them to improve. While it won't be done in time for your project, you have made a difference! Best regards, Steve