It is expected that version 4 of LEED-EBOM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance), developed by the US Green Building Council, will be adopted later this year, notes a just issued AlturaSolutions Communications’ press release.
This new version will be broader, addressing a wider range of facilities and put more emphasis on environmental issues, such as climate change, and encourage more careful and efficient use of energy and water.
However, what some cleaning professionals have noticed is several traditional cleaning-related credits, such as for the installation of effective entry matting systems, are no longer included in version 4.
But that is not correct, according to JoAnne Boston, business development head for Crown Mats and Matting. “Many previous [LEED] requirements, such as installing entry mats, will probably be rolled into other existing credits.”
As to the requirement and installation of entry mats specifically, Boston says, these will likely be added to the credit for Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies.
LEED also still requires that entry mats provide ‘efficient barriers in three stages’ to help protect indoor environmental quality. These three stages are:
* A scraper or grid type mat outside the facility
* What LEED calls a ‘grass mat’, also known as a wiper/scraper, beyond the door entry
* A wiper mat installed inside the facility to help trap remaining soil and moisture.
“Actually, because of the growing emphasis on Green cleaning and protecting the indoor environment, [the installation of] mats have grown in importance,” adds Boston. “Mats are now an integral part of both LEED and Green cleaning.”
Mat Length and Percentage of Debris Caught
* 1.5 metres of matting can trap 33 percent of soil from entering a facility
* 3 metres can trap 52 percent
* 6 metres can trap 86 percent
* 7.5 metres can trap 100 percent
Source: American Institute of Architects