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SOIL
PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT
Preventative Maintenance- MINIMISING THE INGRESS OF SOIL
Much can be done to keep soil out of a building. Keeping soil out is
a much less expensive and easier solution than removing it after it
has been ground into the carpet pile.
OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE
Minimise the immediate sources of soil around the building perimeter.
The cleaner the parking areas and garages, and the adjacent paved approaches,
the less soil is tracked inside.
SOIL BARRIERS
Correctly specified walk-off mats, barrier grates and removable protection
mats in the reception lobbies and lift areas will help collect the bulk
of soil before it is tracked into the building.
The depth of walk-off mats should allow at least 3 steps across before
contact with the carpet. Barrier mats should also be located at all
severe internal track-off areas such as entrances from underground car
parks, factory to office areas, kitchens to restaurant or canteen areas.
Wet surfaces transfer more soil than dry.
It is essential that all these ‘Barriers’ should be vacuumed
at least once daily with the correct equipment.
RESTRICTED AREAS
Restricted areas for eating, drinking or smoking should help to confine
the resultant soil and stains to specific locations. Air conditioning
maintenance should include regular replacement and cleaning of filters
to remove as many airborne particles as possible.
SOIL
PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT
Vacuuming - The Most Essential Cleaning Procedure
Vacuuming is the single most important part of any Carpet Maintenance
Programme.
Proper routine vacuuming is of great importance to the life of the
carpet.
A regular vacuuming schedule should be established before a carpet
installation is ready for traffic.
Carpet areas should be categorised by low, medium and high traffic
exposure and if traffic patterns change, the vacuuming schedule
should be adjusted accordingly .
Laboratory tests indicate that dual-motor vacuums with brush and
beater action and a separate suction motor withcollection bag, are
the most effective in removing soil. The action of the beater-brush
disturbs and agitates the pile surface loosening the soil particles
from the fibres. The strong suction of the vacuum motor then
removes the particles. Thorough vacuuming involves three to five
passes over an area. Pile raising is useful to pre-condition the
carpet before cleaning and to remove deeply embedded soil from high
traffic areas.
Recommended Scheduling:
| Daily
|
High
Traffic Areas |
Track-off
Areas, Funnel Areas, Main Corridors
Reception & Lobbies, Restaurants & Cafeterias |
| TwiceWeekly
|
Medium
Traffic Areas |
Cellular
Offices, Workstations |
| Once/Twice
Weekly |
Light
Traffic Areas |
Conference
Rooms, Showrooms |
Spots
and Stains Removal Programme
Wherever there are people there will be spillages. Although spillages
are inevitable, permanent stains do not
have to be. Spots and Stains have three basic causes:
1. Spillages of liquids, most common of which are hot and cold drink,
correcting fluids, paints and polishes.
2. Spots transferred from the exterior usually on shoe soles.
3. Chewing gum and resins.
Avoidance or minimisation of the risk of spillages is preferable
to constant mopping-up.
Actions to reduce spots and stains are:
- Install absorbent mats at vending machines. These should be frequently
changed and cleaned.
- Control distances drinks may be carried by siting rest lounges
adjacent to vending machines and kitchenettes.
- Plan the disposal of cups and liquid containers.
Most stains can be removed by immediate or at least, same-day
treatment.
It is good practice to have a STAIN REMOVAL PROGRAMME for the entire
workplace.
- Identification of spots and stains for early removal.
- Provide a Basic Spot Removal Kit, with instructions for every
level of the building or facility for use by
employees or the designated janitor.
- Provide a Spot Removal Procedure Chart for ready reference.
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