SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Resilience and Site

Topic

Site

Question #

R1.3 – Hardscape Management Program

Question

Is there a hardscape management program in place for the building that includes the following considerations?

Applicability

All asset classes
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building

Answer & Scoring

  • Yes = 3 points
  • No = 0 points
  • Not applicable – Tenant occupied building: All systems managed by the tenant = 0/0

Max of 3 points

Requirements

  1. Create a Hardscape Management Program. The program must be reviewed every 12 months and be available to all relevant building staff, contractors, or service providers.The hardscape management plan should include:
      • Cleaning of the hardscape (building’s façade, sidewalks, pavement, parking garages, parking lots, etc.)
      • Environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals
      • Use of environmentally preferable maintenance equipment
      • Use of environmentally preferred snow and ice melting products, if applicable. For regions where this is not applicable, provide evidence of the climate conditions in which the building is located to demonstrate that there would be no snow and ice requiring removal, e.g., regional weather maps/reports.
      • Appropriate application of products
  2. Demonstration of implementation is required. The program can be common to a portfolio or campus of buildings however implementation must be building-specific.

Documentation

  • Hardscape management plan
  • Proof of implementation including but not limited to: cleaning logs for hardscape, list of exterior cleaning products, list of maintenance equipment, proof of purchase of snow and ice melting products

Suggested Lead

In-house

Value

  • How the hardscaped areas at a building are managed can significantly impact the surrounding environments
  • Runoff from chemicals used to clean hardscapes or snow and ice melting products can have a negative impact on local fauna and flora
  • Poorly maintained hardscapes can pose a safety risk to occupants and affect the overall aesthetic and street appeal of the building
  • Implement a Hardscape Management Program that includes proper maintenance practices and environmentally preferred products. Contracted service providers are required to follow this program (if applicable)

Description

Building managers must have a clear plan in place to address the regular cleaning and maintenance of the building’s facade and hardscape areas. Proper hardscape management can have a tremendous impact on the surrounding environment (e.g., release of chemicals and toxins into the environment), safety (e.g., slips due to ice build-up), and the building’s overall aesthetic/street appeal.

References

Definitions:

Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Chemicals: Obtained a third-party certification from EcoLogo or Green Seal.

Environmentally Preferable Equipment: These must be energy and water efficient. If powered equipment is necessary, it must operate with a sound level of less than 70 dBA and be compliant with ENERGY STAR (where possible). Propane-powered equipment must have high-efficiency, low emission engines. Battery-powered equipment must be equipped with environmentally preferable gel batteries. Powered equipment must be ergonomically designed to minimize vibration, noise and user fatigue.

Equipment dependent on water must use water efficiently or use non-potable water where possible. Carefully monitor the landscape to avoid excessive water runoff.

Environmentally preferred snow and ice melting products: Specify the use of environmentally preferable de-icing agents for hardscape (parking, walkways, etc.). De-icing agents must have a working temperature of -7°C/19.4°F or below and contain no chloride (such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride or calcium chloride). Organic products (e.g., beet juice, Organic Melt or equivalent), 100% calcium magnesium acetate or products that meet the U.S EPA Safer Choice standard are recommended. Materials may be brines or solid deicers that are pre-treated or pre-wetted. Products containing sodium chloride or calcium chloride may only be used during snow events when the temperature reaches -12°C/10.4°F or below.

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

Question 09.01.06 – Is there a hardscape management program in place for the building that includes the following considerations?
Question 09.01.07 – Regular cleaning of hardscape areas such as sidewalks, pavement, parking garages, parking lots
Question 09.01.08 – Regular cleaning of the building’s exterior facade
Question 09.01.09 – Use of environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals
Question 09.01.10 – Use of environmentally preferable maintenance equipment
Question 09.01.11 – Use of environmentally preferred snow and ice melting products