Cover Photo Credit: ©2015 Eric Staudenmaier

As part of its Healthy Economy strategy, USGBC has LEED pilot credits to help building teams provide healthy
spaces and to assist with re-entry and operations. The Safety First credits outline sustainable best practices that align
with public health and industry guidelines related to cleaning and disinfecting, workplace re-occupancy, managing
indoor air quality and managing water quality. The credits can be used by both LEED and non-LEED projects. Hear
from experts on how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect LEED and future LEED credits.

Continuous improvement has been always the hallmark of LEED development process, but the pandemic made it
clear to us that we needed to accelerate on all fronts and seek as much feedback as possible, so we can continue to
improve LEED strategies to face what comes our way in the future and lead the global economic recovery effort
through LEED.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 2

Contents

Quick Start ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction (excerpt from USGBC+) ......................................................................................... 4

Reentry presents green opportunities ......................................................................................................................... 4
Green cleaning and indoor air quality are especially important .................................................................................. 5
Health and Wellness ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Play on ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6

Get Started ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space ................................................................................................... 7
Safety First: Re-enter Your Workspace .................................................................................................................... 10
Safety First: Building Water System Recommissioning ............................................................................................ 11
Safety First: Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19 .................................................................................... 13
Safety First: Design for Indoor Air Quality and Infection Control............................................................................... 14
Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC Systems During COVID-19 .............................................................................. 15
Safety First: Pandemic Planning ............................................................................................................................... 16
Safety First: Social Equity in Pandemic Planning ..................................................................................................... 17
Safety First: Arc Re-Entry ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Celebrate your achievement ..................................................................................................................................... 19

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 3

Quick Start
The LEED Safety First credits are part of the full suite of pilot credits that can be found in the Innovation category of
the LEED Credit Library. Projects may register to use a LEED pilot credit on the USGBC website to show their
intention to use one or more of the credits.

When the project is ready to document the credit, that can be done in LEED Online through the form in the Innovation
credit category.

To have a LEED Safety First credit reviewed outside of a standard project submittal, please contact GBCI.

Introduction (excerpt from USGBC+)

First, let’s dispense with the notion that the COVID-19 crisis will lead to some sort of post-workplace world, where
former office employees live out their entire work lives participating in Zoom meetings while wearing pajamas.

It’s true that many business leaders have been surprised by how productive their staff can be from their living rooms.
Many have noticed nearly no drop-off in productivity—or have even seen a slight uptick—and that’s one reason most
businesses aren’t rushing to bring their knowledge workers back to the office before it’s safe to do so.

Still, industry leaders say there’s no way to replace the collaboration and camaraderie of an in-person workspace
over the long run.

“Some people who are going back early simply need to get out of their
homes,” says Brent Capron, principal and interior design director for the
New York office of the design firm Perkins + Will. “Some people are saying
technology has drawn them back into the office. For those people in New
York, and other urban offices, they have small living environments and they
may need a change of scenery.”
According to “The Future of the Office” survey by CBRE Research, 79% of respondents say that the physical office
will either remain as important as before, or will be nearly as important as before the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly,
in the “U.S. Work from Home Survey” by Gensler, only 12% of U.S. workers say they want to telework full time.

Reentry presents green opportunities

Understandably, most businesses haven’t been laser-focused on their sustainability efforts during much of 2020. The
challenges of responding to a pandemic have simply been too great to allow leaders to pay adequate attention to
their goals for renewable energy and highly efficient building systems. However, there’s an opportunity for green
solutions to take center stage as businesses seek out the safest ways to bring their employees back.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 4

“One thing that’s important is making decisions that also would have been
healthy before COVID-19,” says Julie Whelan, head of occupier research
for CBRE. “Healthy building considerations were already really important
pre-COVID-19, and now they’re going to be even more important. Now, it’s
going to be much more around, ‘What’s the access to outdoor space? What
is the HVAC system? What technology do we have?’ Employees are going
to be asking about things that they would never have asked about in the
past.”
USGBC’s “Safety First” Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits help building teams provide
healthy spaces and to assist with reentry. The pilot credits, which can be used by both LEED and non-LEED projects,
outline sustainable best practices that align with public health and industry guidelines.

The Pandemic Planning credit, available for LEED for Cities and Communities projects, is intended to help
communities control and mitigate the spread of disease. The credit requires a plan that includes a task force
responsible for evaluating possible impacts and advising decision makers on short- and long-term challenges of a
pandemic.

Additionally, Arc Re-Entry gives owners and facility managers a set of tools to document and benchmark infection
control policies and procedures, to collect and analyze related occupant experiences, and to measure and track
indoor air quality.

Green cleaning and indoor air quality are especially important

Even now, scientists are still learning about how the novel coronavirus is spread. Still, most current mitigation efforts
revolve around via the air (such as mask requirements) or preventing spread via surfaces (such as recommendations
for increased hand-washing).

“When all of the COVID-19 requirements happened and people went home
from work, a lot of our project teams and owners started asking questions
about how they were going to handle COVID-19 and some of the LEED
credits that have to do with operations and human health,” says Gregory
Plavcan, a sustainability specialist with Gensler. “The two pilot credits that I
think are really strong are the cleaning and disinfecting credit and the
indoor air quality credit. I was really pleased to see that there are advances
here in more fully including the operations component of the projects we’re
working on, rather than just focusing on materials. These credits focus
more on operations, and that gets at how the changes are going to affect
human beings.”

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 5

Early on in the pandemic, it became clear that additional cleaning and disinfecting was necessary as public health
authorities emphasized that transmission may occur through touching shared surfaces. Especially since most spaces
were never fully unoccupied but instead had reduced occupancy. The Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space LEED
Safety First pilot credit, focused on how janitorial workers could be trained and facilities could create policy and
implement procedures that follow green cleaning best practices to support a healthy indoor environment and worker
safety. At the same time, it was clear that better training was needed along with clear communications to the
occupants of the building. The credit requires procedures and training for cleaning personnel, occupant education
and other services that are within the management team’s control. This fits well with the guidelines included in the
LEED Safety First Reenter your workplace credit as well as Arc re-entry for communicating to occupants and tracking
occupant satisfaction to ensure that communication is working.

The Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19 credit builds on existing LEED indoor air quality requirements and
credits. This pilot credit requires building teams to ensure indoor air quality systems are operating as designed and to
determine temporary adjustments to ventilation that may minimize the spread of COVID-19 through the air.
Requirements are based on ASHRAE core recommendations around ventilation, air filtration, inspection and
maintenance, as well as on the following measures outlined in public health and industry resources.

New construction projects have shown more interest wanting to consider airborne diseases in the HVAC system
design process. Tools have been developed during the pandemic by universities and industry leaders to assist with
these analyses. This new pilot credit allows project teams to explore this process and provide feedback for LEED.

“Operable windows will help dilute the virus and keep your air clean,” notes
Capron. “Natural daylight helps your own vitamin growth. If you’re healthier
and happier, you’ll have a stronger immune system. The more you can use
healthy practices in the design of your space, the more of an advantage
you’re going to have when you go back.”

Health and Wellness

Human health and wellness are foundational tenets of LEED, and over 70% of the credits in the rating system tie
back directly to human health and wellness strategies. This is exactly why we were able to make a quick shift in how
we talk about the effectiveness of LEED in regard to health and wellness, a timely topic during a global pandemic.

“We have seen different paths for sustainability to continue and to enhance around public health,” said Melissa Baker,
SVP, LEED, USGBC. “It’s not separate. Health and wellness are very critical to sustainability. As part of our strategy
for healthy people and healthy spaces, that’s really the fastest way to rebuild a healthy economy. This may cause us
to rethink some things or look at different solutions. We want to be there every step of the way and continue to
provide that support.”

Play on

Different sports leagues are taking different approaches to resuming play. For all of them, though, it will
likely be a while before screaming fans again pack stadiums and arenas.

The National Basketball Association placed its players, coaches and staff in a “bubble” at Walt Disney World to keep
COVID-19 out. Major League Baseball eschewed a bubble, and its season appeared in danger early on, when

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 6

outbreaks forced games to be postponed, but then things seemed to get back on track. The Big Ten was planning to
play out the football season, and then it wasn’t—and then it was again.

For sports fans, updates about the coronavirus have become nearly as big a part of following their favorite teams as
batting averages and the win/loss column.

“We’re seeing so many different outcomes across sports,” says Brett Blumberg, director of sustainable events and
analytics for the Green Sports Alliance. “The short answer is no; we have not seen a consensus across leagues.
Each league is opening up at a different pace with a different approach.”

While some stadiums are welcoming back limited numbers of fans, Blumberg notes, the Toronto Blue Jays baseball
team wasn’t even allowed to play in its own stadium—and instead played its games across the border, in Buffalo,
New York.

To help teams and leagues navigate the crisis, the Green Sports Alliance issued a playbook called “Get Ready to
Play.” The resource guide outlines strategies and tactics for cleaning, occupant screening, social distancing and other
steps sports venues can take to keep players, coaches and fans safe. As in other sectors, Blumberg says, the
COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity for sports venues to embrace sustainable practices.

“Certainly, green cleaning is a huge opportunity right now,” Blumberg says. “If you have sustainability objectives, and
green cleaning is not yet a part of that, getting effective green cleaning products should be a top priority.” There are
also opportunities, Blumberg says, to install contactless water fixtures (which can both conserve water and prevent
the spread of viruses), and to test more sustainable concessions. “If you have fewer fans in the stadium and fewer
products, you can experiment with some more sustainable options,” he says.

Blumberg notes that some stadiums with limited fans are encouraging or mandating digital ordering for concessions.
This not only limits physical proximity, but it also lets fans stay in their seats and catch more of the game. As a result,
Blumberg predicts, such changes could have a lasting impact on the fan experience, even after the pandemic abates.

Even with fans locked out of some stadiums, Blumberg predicts that they will be eager to once again don their jerseys
and paint their faces in support of their teams when it’s safe to do so, rather than staying in their living rooms and
watching games on TV.

“These in-person fan experiences, it’s really hard to replicate those online or at home,” he says. “This need for
connection, when you’re around a group of like-minded people—even just supporting a sports team—that’s
something that’s so visceral that it’s not going to go away.”

Get Started
These special pilot credits are awarded based on project teams attempting to meet the requirements to the best of
their ability and providing feedback on the requirements. The credits may change as feedback is received.

Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space

The Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space credit requires facilities to create a policy and implement
procedures that follow green cleaning best practices that support a healthy indoor environment and worker safety. In
addition to product considerations, the credit also requires procedures and training for cleaning personnel, occupant
education and other services that are within the management team’s control.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 7

Intent
To provide effective cleaning and disinfecting relative to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), during re-
occupancy and during operations while minimizing adverse health impacts on cleaning personnel, building occupants
and visitors, and the environment.

Requirements

For LEED O+M v4.1 initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation or 1 point
under EQ prerequisite Indoor Environmental Quality Performance. For LEED O+M v4.1 or v4 recertification projects,
this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Indoor Environmental Quality Performance (Human Experience Score).

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.

Create and implement policy and practices that focuses on a healthy environment by following green cleaning best
practices AND meets the guidelines of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency relative to COVID-19. This includes the procurement of cleaning and disinfecting products,
procedures and training for cleaning personnel, occupant education, and services that are within the project and site
management’s control.

In the policy, at a minimum, include the following cleaning best practices to ensure a healthy indoor environment:

Product selection

• When disinfecting against SARS-CoV2, use disinfectants that are on EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Use
Against SARS-CoV-2 and formulated with the active ingredients recommended by EPA’s Design for the
Environment Logo for Antimicrobial Pesticide Products. (As of May 2020, the active ingredient list includes:
Hydrogen Peroxide, Citric Acid, L-lactic Acid, Ethanol, Isopropanol, Peroxyacetic acid, and Sodium
Bisulfate). If concentrated disinfectants are used and diluted to the proper use-solution utilizing a portion
control device, put in place a testing protocol to ensure that the correct dilution rate is being achieved.
Inexpensive test strips (under ten cents each) are available for many commonly used disinfectants (e.g.
hydrogen peroxide and quats). Note: If test strips are not available for the disinfectant being used (e.g. citric
acid and lactic acid) or if purchasing ready-to-use products, the use of test strips is not required.
• Use of cleaning chemical products that meet EPA Safer Choice Standard, Green Seal standards GS-37,
GS-40, GS-52/53, or UL Ecologo 2792, 2795, 2777, 2798, 2791, 2796, 2759 or cleaning devices that use
only water, ionized water, electrolyzed water, or aqueous ozone and have third-party-verified performance
data equivalent to the other standards mentioned above (if the device is marketed for antimicrobial cleaning,
performance data must demonstrate antimicrobial performance comparable to EPA Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics and Design for the Environment requirements, as appropriate for use patterns and
marketing claims).
• Use of hand soaps that that meet one or more of the following standards: EPA safer choice, Green Seal GS-
41, UL Ecologo 2784, or soaps with no antimicrobial agents (other than as a preservative) except where
required by health codes and other regulations (e.g., food service and health care requirements).
• In areas where soap and water are not available, use of hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol
and meet one or more of the following standards: UL Ecologo 2783.
• Use paper towels, wiping/drying products, mops, buckets and other tools that meet one or more of the
following standards: EPA comprehensive procurement guidelines for janitor paper and plastic trash can
liners, Green Seal GS-01 for tissue paper, paper towels and napkins, UL Ecologo 175 for toilet tissue and
hand towels, janitorial paper products derived from rapidly renewable resources or made from tree-free
fibers; FSC certification for fiber procurement, California integrated waste management requirements, for
plastic trash can liners (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 4, Article 5, or SABRC 42290-
42297 Recycled Content Plastic Trash Bag Program).

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 8

 • Use of cleaning equipment that has ergonomic design features to reduce worker injuries such as vibration,
noise, and user fatigue. For examples of ergonomic design features, see EQ credit powered cleaning
equipment.
• If you are deploying other procedures that could be beneficial please share that with us at usgbc.org.

Procedures on cleaning and disinfection

• Use of procedures that meet the joint requirements of CDC and EPA on Reopening Guidance for Cleaning
and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes.
• Use of procedures that optimize cleaning personnel resources and minimize unnecessary use of valuable
cleaning products and equipment. Do not overuse or stockpile disinfectants or other supplies. Where
possible, adjust spaces to minimize frequently touched surfaces and regularly update cleaning personnel on
occupant activities in the building to ensure their cleaning aligns with the way the building is being used.
• Identification of “high-touch surfaces” along with frequencies for cleaning and disinfecting the different
objects so designated.
• Procedure for quantitative testing of the cleanliness of surfaces.
• Strategies for promoting and improving hand hygiene, including prioritizing thorough washing of hands with
plain soap and water over hand sanitizers where possible.
• If you are deploying other procedures that could be beneficial please share that with us at usgbc.org.

Protection for cleaning personnel

• Use of proper personnel protective equipment (PPE) including eye protection, masks, gloves and gowns for
all cleaning personnel as required by the products and processes being used, face coverings, as well as the
requirements of the buildings and its occupants relative to COVID-19.
• Use of tools, equipment and procedures that reduce ergonomic injuries to workers (e.g. injuries to the back,
shoulders and knees).
• If you are deploying other procedures that could be beneficial please share that with us at usgbc.org.

Training of cleaning personnel

• Use of disinfectants and other cleaning products and equipment.

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including how to properly put it on, take it off and disposal.
• Training on the hazards of the cleaning chemicals used in the workplace in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard
Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and comply with OSHA’s standards on Bloodborne
Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), including proper disposal of regulated waste, and PPE (29 CFR 1910.132).
• Training on the basics of infection control and the science of cleaning; personal protective equipment (PPE);
ergonomics protection for workers; hazards of disinfectant and other chemical products; disposal of cleaning
chemicals; proper use and maintenance of chemical dispensing equipment; and proper training on other
products and equipment used in the cleaning process.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 9

 • Train cleaning personnel to be able to answer occupant’s basic questions about cleaning procedures.
• If you are deploying other procedures that could be beneficial please share that with us at usgbc.org.

Note: The following training programs meet the above requirements:

• Thomas Shortman Training Fund: Cleaning for COVID-19 & other Infectious Diseases
• Building Skills Partnership: Infectious Disease Certification Program
• Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI): COVID-19 Disinfection & Safety
Course

Occupant Education

• Provide occupant education to ensure understanding of the steps taken to disinfect and clean the space.

Safety First: Re-enter Your Workspace

The Safety First: Re-enter Your Workspace credit is a tool to assess and plan for re-entry as well as to measure
progress once the space is occupied. It identifies sustainable requirements in building operations and human
behavior that take precautions against the spread of COVID-19. It aligns with the American Institute of Architects
(AIA) Re-occupancy Assessment Tool and requires transparent reporting and evaluation of decisions to encourage
continuous improvement.

Intent
To promote best practice requirements in operations and human behavior to take precautions against the spread of
COVID-19.

Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation or 1 point
under EQ prerequisite Indoor Environmental Quality Performance. For LEED O+M v4.1 or v4 recertification projects,
this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Indoor Environmental Quality Performance (Human Experience Score).

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.

1. Using the AIA Re-occupancy Assessment Tool V2.0, create a re-occupancy assessment and requirements
for an operations plan.
2. Create a management and operations plan that includes, at minimum, the following categories:
o Building or place preparation
o Workforce preparation
o Access control
o Social distancing
o Green cleaning
o Touch point reduction
o Communication

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 10

 3. Keep a daily journal with building management and occupants and keep all data transparent for submission.

Daily Journal Questions:

Management:

o Was the plan implemented today?

o Did it go well?
o What will be improved tomorrow?
o Open comment area
o Nothing, its going great

Occupants:
o Did you feel safe in this place today?
o Are you aware of the plan for safety of this place?
o Were you able to social distance?
o Did others follow the rules?
o Are you aware of anyone who became ill in this place?
o Are you comfortable in this place?
o Are you in control of your life?
o Were you able to practice wellness practices at this place?

Safety First: Building Water System Recommissioning

The Safety First: Building Water System Recommissioning credit helps building teams reduce the risk that occupants
are exposed to degraded water quality. Building and business closures over weeks or months reduce water usage,
which can potentially lead to stagnant water or water that is unsafe to drink or use. The credit integrates
recommendations from industry organizations and experts, including the U.S. EPA and the Centers for Disease
Control. It requires buildings to develop and implement a water management plan, coordinate with local water and
public health authorities, communicate water system activities and associated risks to building occupants, and take
steps to address water quality from the community supply, as well as the building.

Intent
To reduce occupant exposure risks associated with degraded water quality in community and building water systems
due to stagnant or low water use.

Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation or 1 point
under EQ prerequisite Indoor Environmental Quality Performance. For LEED O+M v4.1 or v4 recertification projects,
this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Indoor Environmental Quality Performance (Human Experience Score).

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.

Develop and implement a water quality management plan for the building water system and all devices that use
water. Develop the plan in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 188-2018: Legionellosis: Risk Management for
Building Water Systems (BWS).

Proactively communicate to building occupants the status of the building’s water systems and steps being taken to
maintain water quality, including associated risks and anticipated impacts of flushing and disinfectant activities (e.g.
increase in chlorine, smell, taste change, discoloration of drinking water). Contact local governmental public health
and water authorities for further information; distribute information regarding water quality risks to building occupants.

Before re-occupying a building that has been unoccupied for more than 3 or 4 days, take Steps 1-3, below.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 11

When testing for legionella, lead, copper and disinfectant byproducts as required in Step 1 and in Step 2, engage a
qualified professional independent from the water utility to conduct the testing. The water treatment professional
should have a minimum of three years field experience or a Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation.

Step 1: Address Water Quality from Community Water Supply

Community Water Systems (CWS) also experience reduction in water use due to idled parts of the distribution
systems and require attention to address low disinfectant levels, water age, biofouling, nitrification, lead/copper
leaching and increased disinfectant byproduct formations.
• Test first draw of water at the service entrance for discoloration, pH, chlorine, temperature, lead, copper, and
legionella bacteria. Compare results to local EPA or Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. (Note that
legionella will not be on the EPA list of pathogens to test for but must be performed due to stagnant water in
municipal water supply).
• If water quality meets state and federal requirements move on to Step 2: Water Quality Inside the Building
• If water quality is poor and below recommended US EPA regulations, notify the CWS and request flushing
and increased disinfectant residual of the water distribution mains supplying the building; this will help to
reestablish minimum disinfectant levels throughout the water distribution system and reduce biological
contaminants in the water. If the CWS or the BWS is experiencing nitrification, and the water has been
disinfected with chloramine, the systems may require a free chlorine burn. Extreme care should be used
when performing a free chlorine burn as the practice forms significantly more disinfection byproducts which
contribute to indoor air contamination.

Step 2: Address Water Quality Inside the Building

Building water systems (BWS) that have been closed for an extended period may become hazardous due to stagnant
water. Pathogens and other contaminants can build up and be released when the building water system is fully
operational.

• Test water for discoloration, chlorine, lead, copper, and legionella bacteria at various points throughout the
BWS.
• If water quality is below minimum water quality parameters defined by the local EPA or Safe Drinking Water
Act Requirements, thoroughly flush all faucets, showers, toilets and urinals many times to move the water.
Aerators and appliance screens should be removed to flush out sediment. Anyone involved in flushing must
wear an N-95 respirator mask and personal protective equipment (PPE).
o Refer to resource "Developing a Building Potable Water System Flushing Program” by Legionella
Risk Management for a step-by-step guide to starting or restarting the BWS.
o Consult plumbing guides to determine time required for flushing.
o Consider secondary disinfection of the building potable water supply if flushing does not bring
disinfectant levels to code or legionella levels are not reduced.
• Consider exposure points to stagnant water, e.g. meter screens, backflow preventers, whirlpools, spas, hot
water heaters, storage tanks, water filters, humidifiers, misters, drinking fountains, ice machines, decorative
fountains, all HVAC equipment that uses water for humidifying or cooling.
• Flush and disinfect the building as required based on the water quality testing results. If chemical
disinfection of the BWS is required, engage a qualified professional with expertise in potable building water
disinfection, such as a water treatment provider, local public water system operator, or qualified plumbing
contractor.
o If testing reveals widespread or high levels of Legionella in the BWS, remedial measures such as
shock chlorination and thermal disinfection may be needed. Refer to the CDC and US EPA
guidance for remedial measures.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 12

Step 3. Maintain Building Water Systems
Ensure ongoing maintenance of the BWS after testing and flushing is complete.

• After the BWS has returned to normal, ensure that the risk of pathogen growth is minimized by regularly
checking water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, and disinfectant levels.
• Follow the Water Management Program, document activities, and promptly intervene when unplanned
program deviations arise.

Safety First: Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19

The Safety First: Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19 credit builds on existing indoor air quality
requirements and credits in LEED. Building teams should ensure indoor air quality systems are operating as
designed and determine temporary adjustments to ventilation that may minimize the spread of disease.
Requirements are based on ASHRAE core recommendations around ventilation, air filtration, inspection and
maintenance, as well as on the following measures outlined in public health and industry resources.

Intent
To promote precautionary best practices for managing air quality in buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic to
minimize spread of COVID-19 through the air.

Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial or LEED v4.1 or v4 recertification projects, projects may be awarded additional LEED
points for achieving these credits, up to the maximum 100 points for the rating system.

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.

Building on the indoor air quality prerequisites and credits in LEED, operate the building using minimum core
recommendations from ASHRAE for reducing airborne infectious aerosol exposure:

#1a. Ventilation. When the building is occupied (any occupants including cleaning and facility personnel), provide
required minimum amounts of outdoor air for ventilation per ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2016 or later.
• Maintain temperature and humidity design setpoints.

#1b. Filtration. Use filters for recirculated air that perform at MERV 13 or above. Review ASHRAE Standard 52.2
test data supplied by the filter manufacturer to understand pressure drop and efficiency.
Alternative options.
• #1.c. If 1b cannot be met (for example, central filtration is not available or not able to be upgraded) use in
room air cleaners (includes fixed units that are ceiling or wall mounted and portable units) based on
mechanical filters to achieve an equivalent or higher air change to MERV 13.
• #1.d. If 1a and 1b cannot be met (for example spaces not served by HVAC systems), use air cleaning with
HEPA filtration to achieve at least five air changes per hour in each occupied space.
If portable air cleaners are used, noise levels must be below 55 dBA.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 13

 Note: Various tools are available for these calculations. For any tool used it is important to understand the
underlying assumptions, and limitations of the calculations, and whether the tool has been peer reviewed.

Examples of tools:

a. COVID-19 Airborne Transmission Tool by Professor Jose L. Jimenez

b. Portable air cleaner calculator for schools by Harvard-CU Boulder
c. happē Facility Infection Risk Estimator v2 by Branch Patterns
d. COVID-19 Energy Estimator by Enverid
e. Safe Air Spaces COVID-19 Aerosol Relative Risk Estimator by Dr. Richard Corsi and Dr. Kevin Van
Den Wymelenberg

#2. Pre-occupancy ventilation. Operate building ventilation and filtration systems for at least one hour or for the
time required to achieve three air changes of outdoor air prior to occupied periods.

#3. Inspection and Maintenance. Verify HVAC systems are functioning properly, including HVAC coils and filters.
Consider Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC systems during COVID-19 and/or a baseline indoor air quality
evaluation (see pilot credit performance based indoor air assessment in existing buildings). Also consider other
pandemic protocols that may impact indoor air quality such as cleaning (Consider Safety First: Cleaning and
disinfecting during COVID-19).

Update the facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan as necessary to include how indoor air
quality will be managed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Include any changes in schedules or setpoints for different
seasons, days of the week, and times of day. Include details for re-instating the energy efficiency measures taken
offline after the COVID-19 pandemic. Identify a process for revising approach if necessary, to accommodate new
evidence related to COVID-19.

Safety First: Design for Indoor Air Quality and Infection Control

The Safety First: Design for Indoor Air Quality and Infection Control credit promotes consideration of the prevention of
airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air and/or other airborne diseases during the HVAC system
design. Specific attention is given to ventilation and filtration.

Intent
To promote consideration of the prevention of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air and/or other
airborne diseases during the HVAC system design.

Requirements
#1a. Ventilation. When the building is occupied (any occupants including cleaning and facility personnel), the
ventilation systems will provide required minimum amounts of outdoor air for ventilation per ASHRAE Standard 62.1-
2016 or later.

#1b. Filtration. The HVAC systems must use filters for recirculated air that perform at MERV 13 or above.
Alternative option

• #1.c. If 1b. cannot be met, design occupied spaces to achieve at least five total air changes per hour. Use
any combination of outside air, filtration, and air cleaning HEPA filtration to achieve the air change rate.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 14

 Note: Various tools are available for these calculations. For any tool used it is important to understand the
underlying assumptions, and limitations of the calculations, and whether the tool has been peer reviewed.

Examples of tools:

f. COVID-19 Airborne Transmission Tool by Professor Jose L. Jimenez

g. Portable air cleaner calculator for schools by Harvard-CU Boulder
h. happē Facility Infection Risk Estimator v2 by Branch Patterns
i. COVID-19 Energy Estimator by Enverid
j. Safe Air Spaces COVID-19 Aerosol Relative Risk Estimator by Dr. Richard Corsi and Dr. Kevin Van
Den Wymelenberg

Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC Systems During COVID-19

The Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC Systems During COVID-19 credit was designed to maintain the well-being of
occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence the spread of the coronavirus. This credit
supports the ongoing inspection and maintenance of commercial HVAC systems based on guidance in ASHRAE
Standard 180 or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or equivalent. Guidance also addresses providing personal
protective equipment (PPE) for building operators and maintenance technicians as appropriate.

Intent
To maintain the well-being of occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence spread of the
coronavirus.

Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial or LEED v4.1 or v4 recertification projects, projects may be awarded additional LEED
points for achieving these credits, up to the maximum 100 points for the rating system.

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.

During the pandemic, continue to maintain the HVAC systems using ASHRAE Standard 180 - Standard Practice for
Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or
equivalent. Check specifically:
• Regularly maintain heating and cooling coils and condensate drain pans. Clean coils and drain pans using
an appropriate surface cleaner or foaming agent (avoid using pressure washing that may re-aerosolize
particles on the coil surface) as necessary to ensure proper operation.
• Inspect HVAC system air filters and filter frames for proper pressure drop, fit, and potential for air bypass.
Confirm pressure drop and check scheduled replacement date of filters and air-cleaning devices. Clean or
replace HVAC air filters as necessary to ensure proper operation.
• Include information on ventilation system operation and preventative maintenance in the current facilities
requirements and operations and maintenance plan required for compliance with EA prerequisite Energy
Efficiency Best Management Practices.
• Verify dampers, including seals and frames, are intact, clean, functional and, responding to control signals
appropriately. Verify setting of any manual dampers.
• Verify Air Handling systems are providing adequate airflow with no blockages in the duct system (for
example – closed fire/smoke dampers) and supply air from the HVAC system is provided to each occupied
space.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 15

 • Verify exhaust fans are functioning properly and venting to the outdoors.

For occupied buildings, HVAC maintenance activities should be continued during periods of COVID-19 concern, so
long as these activities can be performed safely, to ensure good indoor air quality for the building occupants. Provide
personal protective equipment (PPE) for building operators, maintenance technicians as appropriate. Refer to
ASHRAE COVID-19 Guidance filtration/disinfection Sections: Facilities/Maintenance – PPE Basics and HVAC
System Maintenance and Filter Replacement during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Safety First: Pandemic Planning

The Safety First: Pandemic Planning credit is intended to help cities and communities prepare for, control and
mitigate the spread of disease during a pandemic that poses a high risk to people. The plan must include a task force
representing diverse backgrounds that is responsible for evaluating possible impacts and advising decision makers
on short- and long-term challenges. It must also identify risks and vulnerabilities to health by outlining historical,
geographical, epidemiological and other factors, and assess preparedness. The plan evaluates healthcare system
readiness, domestic response, incident management and other existing policies and procedures. Education and
training for community partners and other stakeholders must also be included.

Intent
To prepare for, control and mitigate the domestic spread of a pandemic causing widespread disease and deaths that
pose high risk to humans.

Requirements
Requirements for the pandemic preparedness planning:

Convene and facilitate an interdisciplinary team - Identify experts and individuals representing cross-sectoral and
diverse backgrounds, with expertise to evaluate well-in-advance, possible impacts of a looming pandemic on the city
or community. Such a taskforce will advise decision makers on both short- and long-term issues pertaining to
pandemic preparedness planning and response.

Identify Risk and Vulnerabilities – Determine the risks to the health of the city or community. Identify the historical,
geographical, epidemiological and other factors from which a city or community might be at risk. Use national/state
level historic data of pandemic outbreaks/public health emergencies to identify the potential risk and probability of
occurrence. Identify at-risk individuals with access and functional needs that may be disproportionately impacted;
refer to the Demographic Assessment prerequisite for guidance on socio-cultural groups to evaluate.

Assess Pandemic Preparedness and Response –Evaluate the existing preparedness of the city or community for
the following areas of pandemic planning as per the local, county, state or national level guidance on pandemic
preparedness:
• Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Activities- Seasonal and non-seasonal infection
surveillance systems, domestic testing laboratories, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and capacity
for rapid response outbreak investigation, verification and monitoring.
• Measures to prepare communities to mitigate risks - Individual and community level Non-
Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) identifying physical distancing recommendations, assessment on travel,
border and mass gathering restrictions.
• Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)- Availability and accessibility to MCMs such as diagnostic devices,
vaccines, therapeutics, and respiratory protective devices, ventilators, and others to ensure public health
preparedness and timely response.
• Healthcare System Preparedness- Mapping of existing public and private healthcare facilities including
total bed capacity, ICUs, isolation wards and other alternative emergency arrangements, healthcare
personnel assessment (current numbers, expertise, and geographical distribution), medicines, supplies and

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 16

 medical devices required for response, business continuity plans at referral hospitals, infection prevention
and control in healthcare settings, mapping of mortuary and cemetery capacity.
• Communications and Public Outreach- Formal structures/public communication units to conduct risk
communication and community engagement, ethics committee, surveys on socio-cultural factors that affect
communication.
• Domestic Response Policy, Incident Management, and Global Partnerships and Capacity Building-
Existing multi-hazard public health emergency response plans, multi-sectoral coordination systems
(between government ministries, competent authorities, NGOS and other stakeholders), relevant response
policy and guidelines, key essential service staff capacity assessment.
Pandemic Preparedness Plan - Based on the capacity assessment and existing gaps, develop a comprehensive
pandemic preparedness and response plan for the city or community. The plan should identify goals and objectives
for each of the strategic areas listed above, address the present challenges and gaps and identify opportunities for
enhancing future resilience.

Education and Training – Provide public health preparedness and response training and guidance to community
partners and other stakeholders in order to address risks including, but not limited to, those identified in the city or
community risk assessment.

Safety First: Social Equity in Pandemic Planning

The Safety First: Social Equity in Pandemic Planning credit systematically considers equity implications across all
phases of the pandemic preparedness, planning and response process. The local government or development
authority must have a local equity officer in place and responsible for building equity into the structure of the
emergency command and response system. The plan must also convene a Pandemic Community Advisory Group to
gather input on an on-going basis and the group must reflect the demographic and socio-economic diversity of the
city or community. Public communications, outreach and educational campaigns must also be included in order to
share relevant information about the pandemic, public health and health care facilities available. Project teams are
also encouraged to demonstrate how policy, procedures, infrastructure and facilities impact low income, vulnerable or
at-risk groups.

Intent
To systematically consider equity implications across all phases of the pandemic preparedness, planning and
response process

Requirements
The local government or development authority must meet the below requirements:

Have in place a local equity officer who is responsible for:

• Building equity into the structure of the emergency command and response system.
• Providing regular (frequency to be determined by need and criticality) data-driven briefings to leadership and
stakeholders.
• Ensuring equity considerations are embedded in plans, policies and procedures.
• Engaging with community members, businesses and institutions.

AND

Convene a Pandemic Community Advisory Group to gather input and guidance from community members on an on-
going basis. The advisory group must reflect the demographic and socio-economic diversity of the city or community
and meet regularly to advise on pandemic preparedness planning and response activities.

AND

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 17

Demonstrate that the public communications, outreach programs and educational campaigns undertaken by the city
or community articulate reliable and relevant information about the pandemic, public health and health care facilities.
Materials must be made available to all populations and groups in a variety of media and languages and must be
inclusive. Provide evidence that programs are developed collaboratively and with input from community advisors.

AND/OR

Demonstrate that policy decisions and operational procedures require an analysis on the impact to low income,
vulnerable or at-risk groups in the city or community. Examples may include:
• Location and siting of facilities, such as isolation and quarantine (I&O) facilities
• Implementation of community mitigation measures or nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that apply to
local institutions, including schools, small businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, behavioral
health providers, housing providers and services for seniors, as well as other governments.
OR

Adopt policies that are supportive of and positively affect low income, vulnerable or at risk groups in the city or
community. Examples may include:
• Anti-eviction ordinances,
• Better sick-leave policies,
• Expanding health-care coverage, and
• Providing grants to small businesses.

OR

Provide emergency services, infrastructure and/or facilities to meet the priority needs of low income, vulnerable or at-
risk groups in your city or community. These may include shelter, food, water and sanitation, and emergency
healthcare.

Safety First: Arc Re-Entry

The Safety First: Arc Re-Entry credit helps facility teams manage the risk of infectious disease transmission of
COVID-19 and supports the use of a comprehensive, integrated process (covering infection control policies and
procedures, documentation of alignment with relevant public health authorities, repeated occupant feedback, and
measurement of indoor air quality).

Intent
To promote the use of a comprehensive, integrated process (covering infection control policies and procedures,
documentation of alignment with relevant public health authorities, repeated occupant feedback, and measurement of
indoor air quality) to manage the risk of infectious disease transmission of COVID-19.

Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation or 1 point
under EQ prerequisite Indoor Environmental Quality Performance. For LEED O+M v4.1 or v4 recertification projects,
this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Indoor Environmental Quality Performance (Human Experience Score).

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.

1. Use the Arc Re-Entry tool to describe the facility’s infection control process, including:
o Facility management plans, policies, and procedures;

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 18

 o Connections between plans, policies, and procedures and relevant public health authorities;
o Collection and management of occupant feedback; and
o Measurement of key indoor air quality metrics.
Determine the Arc Re-Entry Comprehensiveness Score (“Comp Score”) from the tool, and associated sub-
scores for Facility Management, Occupant Observations, and Indoor Air Quality. The calculation of the
Comp Score is described in the Arc Guide to Re-Entry.

2. Create and submit an Arc Re-Entry report. Arc will provide free, temporary access to Arc Re-Entry reports
for LEED project teams registered for this pilot credit. The project’s Arc Re-Entry report must show sub-
category sub-scores equal to or greater than:
o 50 points for Facility Management
o 25 points for Occupant Observations
o 25 points for Indoor Air Quality

These minimums can be met with any combination of responses, documentation, or measurements. There
are no specific prerequisites in these categories.

In addition to this Pilot Credit, projects achieving these sub-scores are also eligible for the “Managing for a
Safer Re-Entry” designation. This is available from the Arc team by emailing contact@arcskoru.com.

3. Establish a process for continuous improvement via the Arc Re-Entry tool. Outline a plan for how frequently
the project plans to continue to use the Arc Re-Entry tool. Include when facility management survey
information will be updated, when occupant survey data collections will be completed (“campaigns”), and
when additional IAQ measurements may be collected. Recommended frequencies are outlined in the Arc
Guide to Re-Entry and the article, Managing for Re-Entry with Arc, provides a practical example.

Celebrate your achievement

Once you’ve completed the hard work and earned the LEED Safety First pilot credits, you’ll receive an unlimited
number of digital printable certificate from USGBC that can be displayed in your building, on your website and more.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 19