Checklist: Checklist for Keeping Dirt Out of Buildings
Entryway Design – Commercial
Specify a three-component track-off entryway system: Provide at least 30 feet (10 m) of specialized track-off grating and/or matting. Choose recycled-content track-off products when possible: At least one manufacturer of entryway track-off systems offers a high-recycled-content product (Arden Architectural Specialties). Provide for easy cleaning of exterior scraper mat or grate: The exterior component of the three-part track-off system should be designed and installed so that it can easily be hosed off. Provide drainage for trapper mat or grate where practical: Moisture from people’s shoes should be able to drain out of the middle component of the three-part track-off system. This can most effectively be achieved by setting it into a recessed floor space with drainage. Consider active ventilation under indoor grating: Decidedly high-tech, active ventilation under the indoor track-off grating can further improve pollutant removal from shoes (though with an energy cost from the fans). Avoid adhered carpeting near entryways: Except for specialized entryway track-off systems, carpeting at entryways should be avoided. If carpeting must be used, it should be removable for easy, thorough cleaning. Provide areas near entry for removal of wet outerwear: In smaller offices, particularly in northern climates, provide a coatroom with plenty of space for storage of overcoats, boots, umbrellas, etc. to help contain moisture to the entry area. In large office buildings, provide storage just inside individual office suites. Provide cleanable surfaces outside entryways: Walkways and driveways near entrances should be paved (porous pavement is often best for other reasons) or composed of clean gravel or crushed stone. This helps keep dirt from being tracked in. Provide an outside spigot near entryway: This enables regular, thorough cleaning of walkways, driveway, and exterior scraper matting or grates.
Entryway Design – Residential
Provide a large, sturdy, easy-to-clean outside door mat: The “welcome mat” or grate outside a house should be sturdy, designed for efficient removal of dirt and snow, and easy to clean. Provide matting inside the door: Inside matting removes additional dirt and helps to dry shoes. Provide a mud room: A mud room serves as a place for homeowners and guests to remove and store outerwear (boots, raincoats, umbrellas, etc.) and also a place to keep indoor footwear. The mudroom should be designed either with hard-surface floors that will not be affected by moisture or covered with matting that can be removed for easy cleaning. Design hard-surface walkways: Walkways and other surfaces over which people pass to the house should be easily cleanable yet offer some permeability for stormwater infiltration. Good options include porous concrete, cobblestone, or flagstones with crushed stone filler. Provide an outside faucet near entry: Near the primary exterior door provide an outdoor faucet for cleaning walkway and mat.
Building Operation
Encourage building occupants to remove outside shoes: In homes, small office buildings, and individual offices within large office buildings, encourage people to remove outdoor shoes just inside the entrance. Provide benches so that building occupants can sit down and change into indoor footwear. Encourage “shuffling”: Through signage, memos, or other communication, encourage building occupants to shuffle across the entryway matting to maximize removal. Provide “booties” for visitors: Booties that go on over regular shoes are available from safety supply houses. Most are reusable and can be washed. Avoid use of pesticides and other chemicals near buildings: To keep unwanted pollutants out of a building, do not use hazardous substances outside the building. Avoid using pesticides around buildings; clean up any chemical spills that might get tracked in, etc. Capture loose paint during exterior refinishing: When scraping siding, use drop cloths to collect flakes of paint. While particularly important if lead paint is being scraped (simple tests can identify lead), such measures should be taken with any significant scraping. Avoid bare ground around buildings: Dense groundcovers protect bare ground from erosion and reduce risk of tracking in mud. Along with turf grass, native groundcovers should be considered. Vacuum entryway areas regularly: Use a high-quality vacuum to clean entryways daily in heavily used commercial buildings and at least weekly in homes and less used commercial facilities. Turn over entry mats periodically, vacuum the back to loosen ground-in particles, then turn rightside-up and vacuum thoroughly. Maintain vacuum cleaners and replace bags before they are totally full. Use a high-quality power vacuum for carpeting: Vacuum cleaners with power-heads are most effective for cleaning carpeting. Some new high-tech power vacuums include “dirt finders”—a great new feature that helps the user know how long to go back and forth over an area. A microphone detects particles coming from the carpet and turns on a red indicator light; when particle removal drops below a certain threshold, the light turns to green.
