Surface Testing Process

Dear Zeynep Cakir,

I hope the following information helps. This is taken from a communication with our LEED Coach in January 2021: 

ORIGINAL INQUIRY #1:

1) About Product selection:
"If concentrated disinfectants are used and diluted to the proper use-solution utilizing a portion control device, put in place a testing protocol to ensure that the correct dilution rate is being achieved."
Is the testing protocol required for this pilot credit? If it is required, what is demanded or required for the testing protocol?
Test strips are not available where the Project is located.

LEED COACH REPLY:

1) While test strips are recommended, please note that the requirements indicate that, "If test strips are not available for the disinfectant being used (e.g. citric acid and lactic acid) or if purchasing ready-to-use products, the use of test strips is not required". So in the case that test strips are not available, teams may purchase ready-to-use products, or may put other testing protocol in place. There is no required / specified protocol, and this can be determined by the project team.

ORIGINAL INQUIRY #2:

2) About Procedures on cleaning and disinfection:
"Procedure for quantitative testing of the cleanliness of surfaces."
Same as the previous, is the quantitative testing of the cleanliness of surfaces required for this pilot credit? If it is required, what is demanded or required for the testing?

LEED COACH REPLY:

2) For quantitative testing of the cleanliness of surfaces, there also is no specified testing measure. However, the use of ATP meters is recommended. For more information about this, please be sure to review the Green Cleaning Guidance for this credit: https://www.usgbc.org/resources/green-cleaning-guidance-sf-pilot-credit-cleaning-disinfecting, if you haven't already.

Hi Olga and Zeynep, 

Has any of you had any experience in the successful implementaiton of the cleanliness of surface testing. When looking at the guidance the frequency of the testing was a little restrictive for the scale of the project.

I would be curious if anyone has had success in utilizing alternate testing methods. The ATP test is not terribly accurate for viral loads.

Ensure that you are utilizing an ATP meter to demonstrate compliance. I have had this credit denied when an ATP meter was utilized but another piece of documentation mentioned that in addition to the atp meter, a white glove was used. So regardless of the ATP meter being used, apparently you can't use a white glove in addition.