Cleanable environment

Surfaces exposed to frequent human touch can harbor microbes and toxins for extended periods of time. However, these surfaces can be more easily kept sanitary if they facilitate easy cleaning and are designed with a more suitable surface material. This reduces the need for toxic cleaning products and may enable the space to be cleaned less often.

This feature requires that high-touch surfaces are smooth, corrosion-resistant and easily sanitized to maintain cleanliness.

Part 1: Material Properties

High-touch and non-porous surfaces (refer to Appendix Table A1) meet the following requirements:

a) Constructed of corrosion-resistant materials.

b) Smooth and free of macroscopic defects.

c) Finished to maintain smooth welds and joints.

Part 2: Cleanability

The following requirements are met:

a) No permanent wall-to-wall carpeting is used; only removable rugs, removable carpet tiles or hard surfaces are allowed.

b) The building provides adequate flexible storage space for all permanent, movable items to allow high-touch surfaces to be completely cleared during cleaning.

c) Free of sharp internal angles, corners and crevices.

d) Right angles between wall, windows and floors are sealed with waterproof sealant.

Part 3: Cleanable Locker Rooms

The following types of storage facilities must be in place in any locker rooms present.

a) All lockers are open grid- or mesh-style.

b) All shelves are open grid- or slat-style.

Urinary

Digestive

Immune

Reproductive

Integumentary

Endocrine

	Core & Shell	New Construction	WELL Interiors
Part 1: Material Properties	-	O	O
Part 2: Cleanability	-	O	O
Part 3: Cleanable Locker Rooms	-	-	-

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Retail
Part 1: Material Properties	P	O	O	O
Part 2: Cleanability	P	O	O	O
Part 3: Cleanable Locker Rooms	-	O	-	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design) Material Properties	Architect
PART 2 (Design) Cleanability		Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design) Cleanable Locker Rooms	Architect

Show Standard Citations

30

**U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lead Paint Safety. http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/training/LBPguide.pdf. Washington, D.C. Published March 2001. Accessed October 17, 2014.**
28.2.a	The U.S. HUD's Lead Paint Safety document recommends rugs to be removable and permanent wall-to-wall carpeting not to be used.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

28. Cleanable environment