Members of The Trilogy and the Performance-Q-base™ Network know they are held to not only a higher standard of cleaning outcome and performance, but are also held accountable to the environment and to the healthy environment of their Customers.
Equipment, product selection and care contribute greatly to the performance of the cleaning program and the quality outcome. It is the basis of Contractor selection based on proposed implied technologies and methods to be provided at the Client facilities.
In addition to reviewing and assessing the quality outcome of the services rendered at Client facilities it is equally important that Premier Facility Solutions inspects the inventory of products, coatings and equipment not only for comparative purposes to the RFP and contract specification to which the Contractor is held, but to the moral and health stewardship which is vitally important in our professional mission of providing environments that promote Health, Safety and Preservation of Assets.
One of the most ignored and critical equipment maintenance issues that I have seen in most facilities including some of the Performance-Q-base™ Network is the periodic inspection and replacement of HEPA filtration on vacuum devices.
Many Cleaning Professionals do not realize that these durable filtration devices become damaged and impacted in soils and mold spores leading to ineffectiveness over time, causing indoor air quality and health issues to the operator and the building occupant.
As part of the routine site inspection members of the Network will be required to show inventory of replacement filtration media and a policy that provides the frequency inspection and determination of filtration replacement.
Although this inspection notation will not hold a numerical penalty to the quality outcome, it will be noted and serious neglect may factor into contract extensions and compliance.
Here are some tips on managing your equipment quality performance:
- In a commercial setting and used on a daily basis, it should be checked every six months. If heavily soiled it should be replaced; otherwise, it should be changed once per year.
- If a musty odor is detected when the vacuum cleaner is used, the HEPA filter should be changed.
- Some vacuum cleaners have a pre-filter designed to capture large particulates; these should be checked/changed every three to four months.
- If the system has a carbon pre-filter, these should be changed every two to three years.
- If the filter or the housing holding the filter is ever damaged, the filter should be changed.
And finally let us not forget about the sound pressure emitted by some vacuums not only does this harm the hearing of the operator but is a major distraction to the building occupants. The main cause of high sound pressure readings of vacuums is damaged impellers from running over hard soils and metals clips. Teach your cleaning staff to be aware of caring for one of their most important tools, the vacuum.
Happy and Safe New Year to One and All.
John M. Moran
President
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