ISSA Clean Standard Establishes Framework For K-12 Schools

The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 was developed through a true consensus-based process. (Photo courtesy of ISSA)

The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 Schools establishes a framework to help schools objectively assess the effectiveness of the cleaning process at their facilities, thereby contributing to the quality of the indoor environment for the benefit of students and staff. Based on the philosophy of “Clean, Measure, Monitor” and an emphasis on high-performance cleaning, the Clean Standard: K-12 focuses on:

• The desired levels of cleanliness that can reasonably be achieved;
• Recommended monitoring and inspection procedures to measure the effectiveness of cleaning; and,
• How to use the measurement and inspection results to assess and improve cleaning processes and products, ultimately resulting in a clean, healthy and safe learning environment.

Measuring Cleaning Effectiveness

The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 relies upon both objective and subjective components in setting forth a methodology for measuring cleaning effectiveness. The Standard specifically provides “ranges of clean” based on ATP testing as well as sample audit forms. The inclusion of ATP limits adds a quantitative to the determination, while the audits assist with a traditional “sight, smell, and touch” perspective.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that schools are in a condition that is clean, safe and healthy for students and staff. The ISSA Clean Standard also calls for corrective actions in the event the school is not achieving the desired level of cleaning effectiveness.

How ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 Was Developed

The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 was developed through a true consensus-based process. Experts, representing all sectors of the industry, including the facility management and school communities, were selected by the ISSA Board, staff, and alliance partners to participate on standard-development and stakeholder committees. The committees worked directly with ISSA and its partner, the Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI), to draft the Standard which was subject to full peer review prior to official publication.

Visit https://www.issa.com/member-resources/clean-standard-k-12/.