This standards sets a nationally consistent yardstick for K-12 districts, community colleges and universities that want to operate and maintain buildings that protect health and reduce environmental impact. Developed by nonprofit partners Healthy Schools Campaign and Green Seal with input from facility directors in 24 states, the standard bundles 65 performance-based criteria across seven categories: Indoor Air Quality (ventilation, filtration, CO2 monitoring); Cleaning & Disinfection (products, equipment, infection-control plans); Integrated Pest Management; HVAC & Energy; Waste Reduction; Water Efficiency; and Resilience/Emergency Preparedness.
Each criterion is scored on a points system that rewards both low-cost operational tweaks—e.g., adopting MERV-13 filters, logging HVAC run-times, switching to third-party-certified disinfectants—and capital upgrades such as demand-controlled ventilation or electrified kitchen equipment. A web-based self-assessment lets facility teams benchmark current practices and create a prioritized implementation roadmap; third-party verification by Green Seal unlocks recognition tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold). Appendices supply policy templates, purchasing specifications, sampling protocols and a cost-benefit worksheet that translates energy, waste and absenteeism reductions into budget impacts. The standard aligns with ASHRAE 62.1, CDC ventilation guidance, EPA Tools for Schools, and FEMA All-Hazards planning, making it a one-stop compliance and continuous-improvement framework.
