My name is Lawrence Burdick, Operations Manager and my comments represent New Image Building Services, a facility service provider regarding the Proposed LEED O+M: Existing Buildings v5 draft. Specifically, our comments address the Green Cleaning and the Equity Within Operations and Maintenance Staff elements. We are deeply concerned that the standards proposed in these elements are a setback for the entire global cleaning industry and understates the importance of cleaning to protect occupant health and wellbeing.

Please consider our concerns and recommendations noted below:

Restore the Prerequisite:

• Comment: The draft has deleted the prerequisite and has not integrated those critical program management requirements elsewhere into the Rating System. Appropriately managing the cleaning process, use of products and equipment, strategies to reduce energy and other resources, training and contingency planning for workers, education on handwashing and other issues are essential to protecting occupant health and wellbeing.

• Recommendation: We recommend the Prerequisite be restored to ensure that organizational, planning and training standards be required of all facilities seeking LEED certification. These requirements are particularly critical to successful cleaning programs.

Weighting – Cleaning is undervalued

• Comment: Overall, too few points are allotted to Green Cleaning programs, particularly in comparison to other program/building attributes. While 3 points may be appropriate during construction, it undervalues the importance of cleaning (after the building is occupied) and the need to protect occupant health and wellbeing.

• Recommendation: We recommend increasing the credits for Green Cleaning to 10 points and using the additional points to incentivize a level of thorough cleaning that will reduce risks to occupant health while improving their productivity and wellbeing

We respectfully request that USGBC seriously consider these comments and update the proposed standard to better meet the needs of the global cleaning industry.

Respectfully, 

Lawrence Burdick 

New Image Building Services