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ES+H Multifamily Building Upgrades_508c_02 09 2016

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66 Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES Appendix B: Property Management and Occupant Education Building upgrade activities provide valuable oppor- erty maintenance staff. After the building upgrade is tunities for building owners, property managers and completed, property managers, maintenance staff, and contractors to educate building occupants on IAQ and contractors hired by the building owner and/or property safety, which will help occupants maintain healthy manager can take actions to support the health protec- indoor environments after the upgrades are complete. tions incorporated by the building upgrades. Building owners, property managers and contractors are encouraged to provide occupants with training The following priority areas are discussed in this ap- that reinforces the health protections identified in this pendix: Guide. • Pest Control Building occupants play a critical role in helping build- • Moisture Control ing owners and property managers maintain healthy living environments, for example, by reporting moisture • Lead and pest problems, cooperating with pest management professionals in implementing an integrated pest man- • Smoke-Free Housing agement policy, and following any smoke-free housing policies that exist. • Cleaning and Building Products Property managers play a critical role in maintain- • Ventilation ing multifamily residential properties, making them • Carbon Monoxide healthier living environments for occupants and prop- PEST CONTROL Goal Minimize pest problems using IPM strategies. These cost-effective strategies prevent and address pest problems while minimizing harm to people, property and the environment. IPM methods rely on a range of strategies to pre- vent and control pest issues. IPM strategies generally are more effective than traditional pest control approaches. Actions 1. Ensure contracts with pest professionals require these IPM elements: • IPM Certification: Require all pest professionals to provide proof of IPM certification from a state agency or third party (e.g., GreenPro, Green Shield or equivalent IPM certification). • IPM Policy: Pest professionals should be required to include an IPM policy in pest control contract documen- tation. The IPM policy must include a clear plan of action consistent with the IPM requirements outlined below. • Inspections: Pest professionals should conduct initial and periodic inspections of the building's exterior and interior spaces to identify pest entry points and evidence of pests. A written evaluation of pest control needs should be provided for approval by the building owner or property manager. The evaluation should identify problem areas and recommend structural, sanitary or procedural modifications that will reduce pest access to food, water and shelter (e.g., seal entry points such as openings, cracks and crevices; cover and control pest access to trash cans/dumpsters/trash chutes). • Implementation: Pest professionals will work with building owners and property managers to determine when, how, and by whom the actions identified in the inspections will be undertaken (e.g., safely remove pests, nests, accumulated excrement and allergens; secure trash storage; effectively seal pest entry and migration openings; and plan pesticide use [if any]). Pest professionals will implement their portion of the agreed upon actions. • Pesticide Use: Pesticide application should be considered only after all other options have been attempted in response to observed pest problems. ➾ Approved Products: The IPM contract or IPM policy must include a list of approved products. Only least hazardous or least toxic pesticide products 2 should be specified in an IPM contract. Do not apply any pesticide product that has not been included in the IPM policy or approved in writing by the build- ing owner or property manager. 2 As an example, the San Francisco Department of Environment's pesticide hazards screening list can be used, although it is not comprehensive. Tier III products in this list are considered least toxic. If a product being considered for application cannot be found on this list, the San Francisco Department of Environment's Guide to the City of San Francisco's Reduced-Risk Pesticide List can be used to determine the level of toxicity of the chemical in question.

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