I am new to Leed Requirements, and as my company manufactures walk-off mats, I am currently assisting one of our laundry rental customers in providing 10-ft, laundered entrance way walk-off mats to a facility seeking Leed Certification. The facility in question exists in an area of high rainfall.

The mats we typically produce for Laundry Rental are designed to meet optimal dust control needs--given that mats are reqularly laundered. Mats are nitrile rubber backed, with nylon, cut pile face fabric. The design permits debris and moisture to fall between the tufts to, in turn, keep the top surface free to continue functioning--to prevent dirt retracing.

I have two Questions:
(1) This first question involves the design terminology "mats of high void volume fibers". From what I have researched it seems that the mat design described in the second paragraph (plus, the given fact that mats are regularly laundered), meets this suggested mat requirement. This language comes from a leeds bulletin as follows:

"High void volume within fibers that provides space for removed dirt to be trapped below the matting face surface and water to spread to larger mat area to improve drying. This inhibits dirt retracing and mold/mildew growth. Also high void volume mats are easier to clean to a cleaner state when vacuumed or shaken out."

Does indeed the typical design I've described above meet this Leed stipulation? Further, does such a design (coupled with the practice of regular laundering) fufill Leed requirements for facilities existing in regions of high rainfall. I would think that regularly replaced mats (laundered and dried) would be ideal for such environs.

(2) My second question involves the "once a week maintenance requirement". Rental Landries typcially replace mats every two weeks. If this is done, plus mats are regularly vacuumed once to several times a week, does this practice meet the once a week maintenance requirement, or will the laundires need to replace mats with clean ones once a week?