If you are not pursuing a green cleaning credit, is there anywhere in the credits (IEQc3.1/IEQc3.2 Construction IAQ Management Plan or elsewhere) that dictate requirements for post-construction/pre-occupancy cleaning? This is just basic cleaning as part of the turnover of the project - I am looking for guidance on actual cleaning product restrictions and policies.
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Dale Walsh
30 thumbs up
March 3, 2014 - 11:38 am
As far as I know there are no specific product restrictions; however, Chapter 3 of the SMACNA IAQ Guide (required as part of EQ Credit 3.1) has some good general guidance. Other parts of the SMACNA guide address housekeeping and cleaning to a limited extent with an emphasis on HVAC cleanliness. The place to address this issue would be a good quality IAQ Management Plan.
If you are going to do air testing (EQ Credit 3.2) watch out for the cleaning chemicals used. I had furniture polish cause one project to fail the Total VOC maximum. Also, a chemical that is commonly advertised as "natural" or "citrus" is limonene which is derived from oranges. No matter how it is advertised it is still a VOC and can cause the air testing to fail. Pinene (Pine-Sol) and other terpenes are also naturally derived, but that doesn't mean they are safe. Remember - poison ivy is "natural". HEPA vacuums, mirco-fiber cloths and mild, unscented soap and water are the best cleaners, in my opinion. The best chemical to use for cleaning is elbow grease.