ASTM E1971-19

4.1 Cleaning provides well documented benefits in terms of creating cleaner, safer, and healthier surroundings by extracting harmful pollutants from the indoor environment (see Ref 4.1.1 This guide provides a basic reference for the development and preservation of a building environment that is considered safe and healthy for occupants, while reducing the stress on the overall environment as a result of routine maintenance. The anticipated users of this guide include building managers, cleaning personnel, product suppliers and distributors, union representatives, and building occupants who serve together in a stewardship role regarding the maintenance of the building. This guide is intended to raise pertinent questions regarding specific building environments in order that an appropriate stewardship strategy may be developed, for example:

4.1.2 Regardless of the specific requirements, this guide will help in the formulation of a comprehensive plan resulting in reduced risk to cleaning personnel, building occupants, and the environment.

4.2 This guide will help the building owner and operator understand the cleaning process through the following:

1.1 This guide covers a procedure to assist owners and operators of commercial and institutional buildings in the stewardship of cleaning and housekeeping operations. The focus of this guide is to address appropriate cleaning activities and processes, to promote eco-efficiency and sustainability, and to avoid adverse impacts on the building occupants, cleaning personnel, the building structure itself, and the environment. Adherence to the principles set forth in this guide can lead to greater tenant/occupant satisfaction, reduced operational costs and greater productivity (of occupants and cleaning personnel).

1.2 This guide will focus on the development of a stewardship plan and will include the assessment of cleaning processes, product selection, storage, usage, disposal, equipment, training of cleaning personnel and communication throughout the chain-of-commerce.

1.3 This guide addresses issues relating to the operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which can have a major impact on indoor air quality (IAQ) only to the extent that the HVAC system provides adequate ventilation to lower risk to cleaning personnel, building occupants and the environment during or as a result of the cleaning process.

1.4 This guide is for use in a building that is maintained by either in-house cleaning personnel or an outside cleaning contractor.

1.5 This guide is not intended for construction related activities, but may be appropriate for post construction clean-up.

1.6 This guide is not intended as a procedural guide for cleaning personnel.

1.7 This guide is not intended for use in residential buildings.

1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.9 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.11 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.