Facility Design for Cleanability

INFORM is undertaking a two-year project to address what we believe is a gap in green building best practices. Our objective is to help architects, developers, design engineers, and construction managers integrate “design for cleanability” into their commercial construction projects.

“Design for cleanability” (DfC) is the concept that buildings should be designed in a way that minimizes the use of materials and fits and finishes that require using toxic cleaning and maintenance materials or time-intensive cleaning procedures. By thinking about cleaning requirements during the design stage, architects and building contractors can reduce the known health risks that traditional institutional cleaners pose to building maintenance personnel and building occupants while reducing building operating costs.

Currently, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification covers only basic cleanability criteria such as walk-off mats and air filtration systems. INFORM would like to see these criteria expanded to include fits, finishes, and other design elements. To accomplish this, we are working with architects, developers, design engineers, and construction managers to integrate DfC into their commercial construction projects through a collaborating effort to develop DfC standards.

Through this project, INFORM expects to (1) ensure the health of building occupants and custodial staff, (2) achieve reductions in the amount of toxic chemicals used to clean buildings, and (3) reduce toxic emissions in the indoor and outdoor environments.

None at this time