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

Cleaning protocol

Regular cleaning is an important practice as it helps to remove potentially harmful debris and maintain a healthy indoor environment. However, numerous chemicals and improper cleaning techniques can undermine indoor air quality. Harmful ingredients in cleaning products can lead to eye, nose, throat and skin irritation, and emit VOCs into the indoor environment, which may lead to other health effects including sick building syndrome (SBS). An adequate cleaning regimen using non-toxic, hypoallergenic cleaners helps to reduce bioloads, pests, environmental allergens and unpleasant odors without introducing chemicals that might adversely impact indoor air quality.

This feature incorporates the development of a written protocol, in accordance with Table A4 in Appendix C, including the frequency, supplies, equipment, procedures and training to improve cleaning regimens.

Part 1: Cleaning Plan for Occupied Spaces

To achieve sufficient and regular removal of debris and pathogenic microorganisms, a cleaning plan is created and presented during staff trainings that includes the following elements:

a.14 A list of high-touch and low-touch surfaces in the space (see Table A1 in Appendix C).
b.14 A schedule that specifies, for each high-touch and low-touch surface, the extent and frequency (e.g., daily, weekly) that a surface be cleaned, sanitized or disinfected.
c. A cleaning protocol and dated cleaning logs that are maintained and available to all occupants.
d. A list of approved product seals with which all cleaning products must comply (see Table A4 in Appendix C).
Reproductive
Immune
Respiratory
Urinary

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Cleaning Plan for Occupied Spaces - P P
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Cleaning Plan for Occupied Spaces P P P P P

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Cleaning Plan for Occupied Spaces Operations Schedule
14

San Francisco Department of the Environment. Integrated Pest Management Ordinance. http://www.sfenvironment.org/article/city-staff/pest-management. Published 2011. Accessed September 14, 2014

10.1.a

The San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Integrated Pest Management recommends that pesticide products be used as a last result, only after other non-chemical management options have been exhausted.

10.1.b

The San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Integrated Pest Management Ordinance assigns hazard tiers to pesticide products from lowest to highest concern.