COVID-19 Recovery Resources for LA's Best Buildings
As we navigate the “new normal,” here are some essential updates and resources straight from the source.
Last Updated: December 2, 2020
BOMA Greater Los Angeles Provides Coronavirus Resources: Elevator Programming for Social Distancing and Security Checklist for Reopening
As building owners respond to the new state and county pandemic requirements, many are asking whether elevator equipment can be used to assist in regulating social distancing. Check out their short guide to possible options for your elevator equipment
Additionally, deploying security in the new COVID-19 environment calls for a review of security staffing and path of travel in the building to comply with state and county health guidelines. BOMA/GLA member Louis Boulgarides, Ollivier Corporation, shares his checklist for analyzing security operations prior to tenants’ arrival.
Update on Benchmarking and ENERGY STAR Certification for U.S. Commercial Buildings Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic
If your building operations were impacted by COVID-19: With exceptions for some retail stores and hotels, you may now apply for 2020 ENERGY STAR certification using data through July 2020.
After extensive analysis to assess the impacts of extreme changes in operations on ENERGY STAR scores, we can now accept applications for ENERGY STAR certification with a Period Ending Date (PED) through July 31, 2020, regardless of the changes in operations which may have occurred in the building due to COVID-19. Before applying with PEDs from March-July 2020, applicants must have updated “Number of Workers on Main Shift” (or “Number of Full-Time Equivalent Workers” for hospitals) and “Weekly Operating Hours” (or “Weekend Operations (yes/no) for K-12 schools) use details as needed to reflect such changes. Check the website for exceptions.
For all buildings where operations have been impacted by COVID-19, if you would like to apply with a PED after July 31, 2020, we strongly recommend that you wait to apply until EPA provides further guidance. EPA will be providing this guidance on certification eligibility for periods from August 2020 and later by mid-November. Waiting to apply will decrease the likelihood of your application being placed on hold and you having to make edits to your application in the future.
NOTE: This update applies only to commercial buildings in the U.S. Natural Resources Canada will be issuing separate guidance for Canadian properties.
If your building operations were unaffected by COVID-19: You may continue to apply using EPA’s regular certification rules.
If your application includes only time when your building was operating normally, and your site visit was conducted during normal operations (or you can reuse the site visit from a 2019 certification), you can apply now and we will process your application.
If you are unsure of whether you should apply now or wait, please contact EPA and they will advise you on the best course of action.
ENERGY STAR’s Energy Treasure Hunt & Webinar on Building HVAC Operations and COVID-19
The global COVID-19 pandemic creates new challenges and complications for energy programs planning energy treasure hunts. Safety precautions that limit access to facilities and social distancing requirements reduce the team-building and group interactions that make treasure hunts unique. Non-normal operating and production schedules create new complications as well. Yet some organizations are finding ways to adapt their treasure hunts by:
Utilizing virtual meeting platforms to conduct preparation activities, training, the opening presentation, team meetings, and the report out presentation, as well as coordinate the on-site event
Using smaller teams to investigate target areas, equipment, or systems
Taking advantage of closed facilities to look more closely at specific systems
Conducting deeper remote analysis of facility energy use data, when possible
Using a combination of on-site and off-site teams to capture and quantify energy-saving opportunities (ESOs)
The tip sheet draws on insights from companies that have adapted their methods of conducting energy treasure hunts.
Wildfires & Indoor Air Quality, plus Adapting
Climate change, including the current wildfires, may worsen existing indoor environmental problems and indoor air quality, and it may also introduce new problems as the frequency or severity of adverse outdoor conditions change. Our homes and buildings provide protection between us and the outdoors. The design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings can impact the air we breathe, our energy consumption, and our health. To protect all building occupants and maintain safe and healthy indoor environments, considerations for buildings should include occupant health and well being, sustainability, energy efficiency, and changing outdoor conditions. Read more on Adapting Buildings for Indoor Air Quality in a Changing Climate.
Air Quality Alert: Protect Yourself (and Your Building) from Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings, and other material. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart diseasepdf icon, and childrenpdf iconexternal icon, pregnant women, and responders are especially at risk.
The Ultimate Building Readiness Infographic by ASHRAE
Follow their guide to resources on COVID-19 recovery by clicking the links on the infographic.
CDC’s Updated Guidance on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
Everyday Steps, steps when someone is sick, and considerations for employers.
IREM’s Pandemic Guide for Real Estate Managers
The Pandemic Guide For Real Estate Managers from IREM has been updated with additional Resources for Reopening Your Property.
EPA Provides Information on Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use
Building and business closures for weeks or months reduce water usage, potentially leading to stagnant water inside building plumbing. This water can become unsafe to drink or otherwise use for domestic or commercial purposes. EPA recommends that building owners and managers take proactive steps to protect public health by minimizing water stagnation during closures and taking action to address building water quality prior to reopening.
Optimizing Sustainability & Wellness: IMT’s Guide for Managing Office Buildings During COVID-19
In response to the the disruptions and occupancy changes caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, IMT partnered with 25 national commercial real estate organizations to produce a sustainability and wellness guide for property managers and engineering and maintenance teams. The guide, Optimizing Sustainability & Wellness: A Guide for Managing Office Buildings During COVID-19, provides reasonable and actionable operations checklists for increasing building performance while reducing operating expenses, promoting occupant health, seizing future-oriented opportunities, and engaging tenants.
Fitwel: Building Health for All® in the Face of COVID-19
Fitwel provides an up-to-date landing page of growing research, fact sheets, and webinar resources to aid in optimizing health during building reopening and business recovery. They recently published a factsheet, 5 Ways to Optimize Buildings for COVID-19 Prevention, and continue to add evolving updates to their resources landing page.
BOMA’s Guide for Industrial Re-Set: Operational and Management Guidelines for Industrial Properties Amid COVID-19
The latest guide from BOMA International provides a framework for developing customize management and building plans, and best practices for owners and managers to share with their tenants as they re-open industrial properties.
BOMA continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 developments, and resources are being posted regularly to www.boma.org/coronavirus which nclude webinar recordings, relevant articles and links to helpful documents, websites and expert analysis.
BOMA’s Guide for Getting Back to Work: Preparing Buildings for Re-Entry Amid COVID-19
As we enter a phased re-entry of office buildings over the coming months and seek guidance on building operations and workforce issues, BOMA International assembled a task group from across North America to help owners and managers plan for what is coming.
This guide prepares commercial buildings for the safe return of office tenants, building personnel, visitors, vendors, contractors, and others, and identifies other operational and safety procedures and protocols that should be implemented, updated, or enhanced as we prepare to live and work in a post-COVID-19 world. For more, visit BOMA International’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
CDC’s Workplace Re-Opening Decision Tool
The purpose of this tool is to assist employers in making (re)opening decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially to protect vulnerable workers.
CDC’s Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
The CDC has published an array of guidance on recovery - this plan focuses on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home. It is part of the larger United States Government plan.
CDC Guidance on COVID-19 and Climate-Fueled Disasters
The CDC has been developing advice for the intersection of COVID-19 and extreme weather. So far, they’ve issued guidance for emergency managers and public health officials on operating clean air shelters during wildfires, disaster shelters for the general population (i.e., not for people with disabilities or special medical needs), and cooling shelters during heat waves. The agency also has detailed guidance for wildland firefighting crews and more general information for the public on hurricane planning.
ASHRAE’s Coronavirus Preparedness Resources
ASHRAE has published two statements to define guidance on managing the spread of COVID-19 with respect to the operation and maintenance of HVAC systems in buildings. They also recently announced the creation of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force to help deploy ASHRAE's technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments.
World Health Organization (WHO) Guidance for Workplaces
The WHO guide provides simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace, how to manage risks when organizing meetings and events, travel considerations, and resilience strategies for further community exposure.
Local & National Roadmaps to Recovery
The City and County of L.A. are planning a gradual and staged approach to re-opening in response to the coronavirus crisis. Both landing pages are regularly updated with City and County announcements. Also, read the federal plan to ‘opening up America again.’
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Act provides comprehensive recommendations for establishing safety and health standards for re-opening workplaces.
LADWP Resources to Help You Stay Safer at Home
As an essential service provider, LADWP has a dedicated workforce working around the clock to make sure you have the water and power services you need to help you stay Safer at Home. They also have comprehensive resources for you to continue your savings efforts.
