Vacuum cleaners
with
high-efficiency filters capture microscopic materials that can
harm health or damage sensitive equipment.
In addition, it is important to use other
floor-cleaning equipment that have filters. For most equipment
and supply purchases, the Healthy Schools Campaign, an advocate
for policies that ensure healthy places to learn and work,
recommends that vacuum purchasers consider three factors:
appropriateness, effectiveness and usability
Appropriateness
A tool should be matched to
the job to be performed. A simple example is what can happen
when choosing a vacuum cleaner.
• Regardless of its ability to
clean, using a 12-inch, single motor upright vacuum to clean a
10,000 square foot auditorium is a losing proposition
because it is too small and too time consuming.
• Attempting to clean a
crowded classroom with a 42-inch-wide area vacuum cleaner is
also a losing proposition as the large size makes cleaning
around desks and chairs equally difficult and time consuming.
Before purchasing equipment,
identify spaces and flooring surfaces to be cleaned, choosing
equipment sized and designed appropriately for the job. The same
analysis should be applied to choosing buffing or burnishing
equipment, mop styles and sizes, and every other tool or piece
of equipment used in the school.
Effectiveness
Consider how well the
equipment removes soils, water, for vacuums that meet the
following criteria:
•
Soil Removal: The vacuum must remove a set quantity of
soil from carpet in four passes.
•
Dust Containment: The vacuum must not release more than
100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air. This
protocol evaluates the amount of dust particles released by the
brush, rolls, through the filtration bag and via any air-leaks
from the system and is more stringent that the National Ambient
Air Quality Standards.
•
Carpet Appearance Retention: The vacuum should not affect
the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based
on one year of normal vacuum use.
•
Backpack Vacuums: Heavy, poorly designed equipment can
cause worker fatigue leading to cleaning inefficiency and can
result in back injuries to custodial workers.
Thus, selecting lightweight
ergonomically designed equipment is very important. For example,
backpack vacuums weighing less than 10 pounds allow for fast,
efficient movement and handling on both carpets and hard floor
surfaces, and minimize back injuries to custodians as compared
to heavy, poorly balanced upright traditional vacuum cleaners.
Backpack vacuums equipped with extension wands also allow for
dusting ceilings, walls, fixtures and high ledges. Removing dust
rather than stirring it up through conventional dusting and dust
mopping will improve the indoor air quality.
Usability
The most powerful vacuum
cleaner in the world won’t clean a thing if it stays in the
closet. To evaluate usability, ask yourself the following
questions:
• Is the equipment the
appropriate size and type for the typical custodian in the
school and his or her capabilities?
• Is the equipment difficult
to operate or maneuver? Don’t be misled by marketing puffery and
productivity claims. Actually try the equipment in circumstances
similar to those found in your school to gauge potential
problems and productivity.
• Can an average user figure
out how to use the equipment with minimal instruction? How about
a non-English speaking user?
Are the labels clear, do they
use icons or colors as cues? Is there a “panic” switch to
protect the user or passersby?
• What sorts of training
materials are required and available for the equipment? Is it
icon or color code based, available in languages other than
English?
• What is the service record
for this equipment?
How long has it held up in
similar situations to that found in your school? If it is a new
piece of equipment or design, what is the company’s track record
with their other equipment? Are parts and service readily
available? What is the warranty?
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