Clean & Hygiene Review ( July-Aug 2014)

July-Aug ’14

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E d i t o r i a l

A Publisher cum Editor Rajneesh Sharma Resident Editor Sharmila Chand (Delhi) Ashok Malkani (Mumbai) Layout & Design Hari Kumar. V Narender Kumar Production Assistant Mamta Sharma Business Co-ordinator Pooja Anand Advertising Sales Delhi: Debabrath Nath, Sumesh Sharma Mumbai: Rajesh Tupsakhre Subscription Sales Dattaram Gangurde Director Sales Sanjay Anand Director Operations & Finance Rajat Taneja Editorial & Advertising Offices: Delhi: Hammer Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 1202, Pragati Tower, 26, Rajindra Place, New Delhi-110008 Phone: 91-11-45084903, 25854103 / 05 Mumbai: Hammer Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 105, 1st Floor, Aarpee Centre, Gufic Compound, 11th Road, MIDC, Near Tunga Paradise, Andheri (E), Mumbai-400 093 Ph.: 91-22-28395833 Telefax: 91-22-28388947 Website: www.chrmag.com E-mail: hammerpublishers@vsnl.net © 2014 Hammer Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

Clean & Hygiene Review is a bi-monthly magazine, printed, owned and published by Rajneesh Sharma from 313, Himgiri Apartments, J-Block, Vikaspuri, New Delhi. Printed at Print Creations, C-112/3, Basement, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi-110 028.

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Editorial Policy : Editorial emphasis in Clean & Hygiene Review magazine is on educational & informational material specifically designed to assist those responsible for managing cleaning & maintenance, Laundry, Pest Control, Water & Waste Management and Environment. Articles are welcome and will be published on the sole discretion of the editor.

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s the countr y celebrated its 68 t h Independence Day on August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a new target before the countrymen: to make India clean by 2019. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister made a clean break from the past as he spoke extempore and without the bullet-proof shield. But more than his mannerism, it is the substance of his speech and his focus on issues such as cleanliness and sanitation that were long thought to be too small to be talked about in an Independence Day speech that raised the eyebrows of many an observer.

“I have to launch a Swachch Bharat campaign from 2nd October and we want to carry this forward within four years,” he told the audience amid thundering applause. “Let us decide that in 2019 when we observe Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary, we will not let our village, city, country, school, colony, temple, hospital and all other areas remain dirty,” he added.

Highlighting the importance separate toilets for girls in schools, he said, “One task which I would like to begin today is toilet in all schools of India and a separate toilet for girls.” He urged all Members of Parliament to use their MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) fund for construction of toilets in the schools for one year. “Only then the girls will not drop out of schools,” the Prime Minister added.

Coming from the Prime Minister, cleanliness and sanitation, issues that this magazine has trained its focus on since its very inception, will hopefully get the urgent attention that they desperately need from our policy makers.

Equally relevant, however, was the Prime Minister’s emphasis on sustainable manufacturing to keep Indian on the growth track. As he invited the world to “Come, make in India”, the Prime Minister also urged Indians to make products with zero defect and zero effect on the environment.

Keeping a tab on the effects of growth and development on the environment is important as India’s air quality, as the Cover Story of this issue highlights, has deteriorated significantly over the years. According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, New Delhi has the worst air pollution in the world. In fact, most of the 124 Indian cities included in the 2014 version of the Ambient Air Pollution database far exceed the safe limits of particulate matter.

The fast deteriorating air quality, especially in the cities, highlights India’s need to urgently bring down the share of conventional energy sources through drastic reforms and scale up the use of renewable and clean energy sources, make the industry more accountable for air pollution and pave the way for ‘green’ thoughts and practices to permeate all spheres of activities.

Another problem associated with rapid urbanization and economic growth that India is currently experiencing is waste management. The Business Story of this issue highlights the enormous opportunities that India’s waste management sector offers not just to Indian companies but also to the foreign firms who are willing to bring in their expertise and put their innovative technologies to use.

Packed with industry updates and other regular features, I hope, this issue of the magazine will keep you hooked.

July-Aug ’14

Contents Contents

COVER STORY Price of Pollution



The fast deteriorating air quality, especially in the cities, highlights India’s need to urgently bring down the share of conventional energy sources through drastic reforms and scale up the use of renewable and clean energy sources, make the industry more accountable for air pollution and pave the way for ‘green’ thoughts and practices to permeate all spheres of activities

BUSINESS

Waste Management: Opportunities for Foreign Companies



Solid waste management has been a tedious and long haranguing problem for municipal corporations. Local landfills pose their own problems – lack of sufficient land and the odours emanating from it. With new technologies, however, it has now become possible to convert this waste to energy. Recycling has become extremely beneficial. With the government’s liberal policies the private sector is now playing an important role in trying to convert the country to zero waste. This sector is also offering immense scope to international players who are keen to take up joint venture projects

CLEANING

How to Choose the Right Vacuum Cleaner



A thorough assessment of the nature of the cleaning jobs to be carried out in the premises is key to choosing the right types of vacuum cleaners

PEST MANAGEMENT Is Your Carpet Nesting Pests?

 July-Aug ’14

Carpet care goes beyond dusting as many pests may make carpets their nests, feed on fabrics and reside there for as long as they are not disturbed, causing infestation and making a place unhygienic in the process

SECTIONS 4

News Scan

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Report

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Laundry

28

Water

32

Hygiene

34

IAQ

38

Product Preview

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Interview 3

NEWS SCAN

India’s Laundry Business Unplugged

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o offer a perspective on the untapped opportunities in India’s laundry business and chart a roadmap to success for new business owners, Quick Clean Pvt Ltd conducted business seminars in five Indian cities in July.

With Electrolux Professional as its innovations & technology partner, the Quick Clean ‘5-Cities’ Business Seminars’ were held in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

While the hospitality industry in India is on constant lookout for quality and hygienic professional solutions to care for delicate garments and fibers, there is an acute dearth of professional cleaners in India, the business seminars highlighted.

In his presentation to existing and potential customers in the laundry business, Anshul Gupta, Director, Quick Clean Pvt Ltd,

business opportunity in laundry like campus laundry, MHL, care, and the fast emerging Laundromats, and also wanted to know about automation and innovations in this sector and more importantly ROI (Return on Investment) from the business.

“Weak competition creates huge opportunity for you! The key to success in this business is to identify the right laundry business opportunity for you, select the right professional equipment from Electrolux for your business, meet your consumer’s needs and provide them a hygienic, safe, friendly experience,” Gupta explained.

Waste Collection Vehicle Market to Grow Over 7% discussed how they can reap maximum dividend from laundry in the absence of serious competition.

He also shared his own success story as an owner of coinoperated Laundromats, and as an Electrolux distributor.

“Over the past four years, Quick Clean has equipped nearly eighty coin laundries with Electrolux laundry systems. They have the laundry room expertise to help you 5-Cities’ Business design, equip and service Seminars on Laundry on-premises and retail self-service laundries,” Business elaborated Animesh 2nd July, Mumbai Sharma, Sales Manager 4th July, Pune - Laundry, Electrolux Professional.

6th July, Bangalore “ This conference 9th July, Hyderabad further puts the laundry 12th July, Chennai business in India in perspective and as a lucrative and untapped business opportunity for new business owners,” Sharma added.

However, the 5-cities conference also outlined that new business opportunities in the laundry sector is not limited to traditional Laundromats.

As Gupta demonstrated to the interested visitors why laundry industry is ranked 5th among emerging investment options, many from the audience also quizzed him on the various new

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n India, the market for solid waste management (SWM) vehicles is projected to achieve a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.6 percent, between 2014 and 2019, says a report.

On an average, around 135,000 tonnes solid waste is generated in India’s urban regions every day, the report -India Solid Waste Management Vehicles Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2019 – noted.

Factors such as a constant rise in solid waste generation due to rise in population increase across cities, mandatory implementation of regulations specified by the Solid Waste Management Act, 2000 by municipalities across India, and need for municipal corporations to upgrade existing fleets are likely to drive the market for SWM vehicles in India.

The majority of demand for solid waste management vehicles is emanating from municipalities, the report noted.

The top six metro cities in India - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata – were said to contribute towards one third of the entire solid waste collection in India where municipal corporations are the main governing bodies responsible for complete handling and regulation of solid waste management in cities.

July-Aug ’14

NEWS SCAN

PM Sets Sight on Clean India

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mphasis on cleanliness and sanitation was the highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech as he addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India’s 68th Independence Day on August 15.

In his address, the Prime Minister announced his plans to launch a ‘Clean India’ mission on October 2 and achieve the mission objective within a span of four years.

“I have to launch a Swachch Bharat campaign from 2nd October and we want to carry this forward within four years,” he told the audience amid thundering applause.

“Let us decide that in 2019 when we observe Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary, we will not let our village, city, Govt to Pump Extra country, school, colony, temple, hospital and Money for Rural Toilets all other areas remain dirty,” he added. nion Minister for Rural Making a clean break from the past, Development and Drinking Modi spoke extempore without a bulletWater and Sanitation proof shield as he rolled out his future vision Nitin Gadkari has said that he of building a brave new clean India. has prepared a Cabinet note for “One task which I would like to begin considerable enhancement of today, is toilet in all schools of India and a monetary support for building separate toilet for girls,” he said. different categories of rural toilets “Only then the girls will not drop out of in the country to achieve the goal schools. I urge all Members of Parliament of sanitation for all by 2019. to use their MPLAD fund for construction Speaking at a National Workshop of toilets in the schools for one year,” the on Sanitation and Drinking Water, Prime Minister added. the Minister said, for individual Highlighting the importance household latrines the amount will of cleanliness and hygiene for India’s be raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs development, Modi said, “You would think 15,000, for school toilets Rs 54,000 that from the Red Fort he is talking about will be given instead of Rs 35,000. cleanliness and toilets, but I am speaking Similarly for Anganwadi toilets, from the heart.” the amount will be now Rs 20,000 In his address, the Prime Minister laid in place of Rs 8,000 and for stress on economic self-reliance, saying Community Sanitary complexes, the country should strive to become a the amount proposed is Rs 6 lakh manufacturing hub for global investors from the existing Rs 2 lakh. with zero-defect products and zero-effect Gadkari also said that construction on environment. of toilets in rural areas will be “I tell the world, Make in India,” delinked from Mahatma Gandhi Modi said, reaching out to investors. “Sell National Rural Employment anywhere but manufacture here. We have Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). the skill and talent for it.”

U

July-Aug ’14

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Now, Buy Cleaning Equipment Online

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s online shopping catches up in India, Miraclean Tools (P) Limited, a manufacturer of professional cleaning tools and premium cleaning chemicals, has launched an online store, cleanersmall.com, exclusively focusing on cleaning products.

Cleanersmall.com is the first-of-its-kind online store for the cleaning industry in India, the company said in a statement.

While other online shops are managed by traders/agents, the exclusive store by Miraclean Tools offers products directly from the manufacturer.

“Buying directly from the manufacturer can result in a saving of 80 percent and more,” it said.

“The online shoppers will also benefit from the portal’s sales promotions, corporate yearly contracts, home supply packages, etc.,” said Kanak Raj, Managing Director of Miraclean Tools (P) Limited.

Besides free delivery to customers in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, the portal also provides training on how to clean your office/home professionally.

Roots Muticlean Gets a New Address in Bangalore

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o better connect with the customers and efficiently respond to the growing popularity of its floorcare equipment, Roots Muticlean Ltd has moved to its own new premise in Bangalore.

“This move by us signifies a long-term investment plan by Roots Multiclean Ltd. This would help us to further consolidate our position as the market leader of quality and reliable floorcare equipment,” said Managing Director Varun Karthikeyan.

“The new premise will provide a professional working environment for our team and will also enable us to conduct product training on site,” he added.

Located in a business and industrial hub in Bommasandra, the new premise provides a strategic edge to the company. The premise boasts of a grand showroom, office space, product demonstration areas, well equipped service centre, hands-on training centre, and a self-contained guest house.

The building creates a dynamic environment to encompass the administrative, sales and service requirements of the customer. The logistics warehouse capacity has been adequately planned, allowing greater levels of stock and faster service turnaround time.

“We are extremely excited about this move, which brings in a new era for the company,” Karthikeyan noted.

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July-Aug ’14

REPORT

Housekeeping Gets Sustainability Boost at Inspiria-Chennai 2014 With the introduction of a range of eco-friendly products such as waterless urinals and high-efficiency laundry programme, InspiriaChennai 2014 charted the roadmap for future housekeeping products

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ith the world sitting up and taking active interest in curbing the effects of climate change and saving our natural resources, Sealed Air-Diversey Care India team organised the summit InspiriaChennai 2014 focused on the issues of sustainability in the housekeeping industry.

Held on July 11, the second edition of Inspiria in Chennai attracted over 250 delegates from targeted key sectors.

The first edition of this one of a kind summit committed to knowledge creation, growth and networking was held in Delhi.

The event in Chennai opened with a panel discussion on ‘Sustainability in Housekeeping’, followed by two other panel

July-Aug ’14

discussions on ‘Sustainability in Laundry’ and ‘Productivity Enhancement – Key to Success’.

The veteran panelists were drawn from major hospitality chains, retail and facility management firms. The panelists outlined the kind of sustainability initiatives each of them have created in their properties.

Delegates poured laurels on Sealed Air-Diversey Care India team’s initiatives in launching concentrated products like the Divermite and Quattro systems as well as the waterless urinals.

Appreciating Diversey’s highefficiency laundry programme, a visitor at the summit called it “a green initiative by Diversey Care that encourages less use of chemicals and washing cycles thereby extending the lifespan of

linen and increasing machine and labour productivity”.

Bradley Weller, VP Strategic Accounts-AMAT (Asia, Middle East, Africa & Turkey) at Diversey was the moderator of all three panel discussions. Bradley brought in inspiring questions to the panel and encouraged delegates to come up with interesting insights.

Himanshu Jain, MD& VP, Sealed Air Indian Subcontinent, playing the role of industry advocate, contributed to the lively chat sessions by touching upon the matters of green and high efficiency solutions. He also talked about their direct impact on environment and organisational productivity.

Sealed Air has been continuously providing thought leadership to customers and with Inspiria, the company has only to added value to the cleaning and hygiene industry in India.

Moreover, with this uniquely inspirational concept, Diversey Care has reinforced its market leadership.

Several delegates stated that they look forward to attending more such events committed to knowledge creation. 

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Price Pollution

COVER S T O R Y

of

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he fast deteriorating air quality, especially in the cities, highlights India’s need to urgently bring down the share of conventional energy sources through drastic reforms and scale up the use of renewable and clean energy sources, make the industry more accountable for air pollution and pave the way for ‘green’ thoughts and practices to permeate all spheres of activities

By Ashok Malkani

C

lean air in India, it seems, is getting scarcer ever y day.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report released in May this year, New Delhi has left Beijing far behind to earn the dubious distinction of being the city with the worst ambient air quality in the world. India appears among the group of countries with highest particulate matter (PM) levels. Also, its cities have highest levels of PM10

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July-Aug ’14

C O V E R STORY and PM2.5 (particles with diameter of 10 microns and 2.5 microns) when compared to other cities.

Delhi has the highest level of PM2.5 considered most harmful to health, with 153 micrograms.

PM2.5 refers to the diameter in microns of nasties such as ammonia, carbon, nitrates and sulfate – small particulates that can cause diseases such as emphysema and cancer.

However, it is not only India that seems to have failed to arrest

deteriorating air quality. The WHO noted that in most cities in the world where there is enough data to compare the situation today with previous years, air pollution is getting worse.

The WHO database contains results of ambient (outdoor) air pollution monitoring from almost 1600 cities in 91 countries. Air quality is represented by annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5,). The

database covers the period from 2008 to 2013, with the majority of values for the years 2011 and 2012.

“Many factors contribute to this increase, including reliance on fossil fuels such as coal fired power plants, dependence on private transport motor vehicles, inefficient use of energy in buildings, and the use of biomass for cooking and heating,” it explained.

Commenting on the state of India’s air qualit y, Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), said, “Indian cities are witnessing rapid increase in air pollution and untamed motorisation. Cities need to curb pollution from all sources, but vehicles need special attention as they emit toxic fumes within our breathing zone.”

CSE’s own assessment based on air pollution data generated by the government also painted a grim picture as it noted even earlier that New Delhi had outstripped Beijing to merge as the world’s most polluted major city.

“Close to half of cities are reeling under severe particulate pollution while newer pollutants like nitrogen oxides, ozone and air toxics are worsening the public health challenge,” CSE estimates said.

It noted that half of the urban population breathes air laced with particulate pollution that has exceeded the safety standards. As much as one third of urban population is exposed to critical level of particulate pollution and smaller cities are among the most polluted in the country.

But researchers at Yale University as well as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have used satellite data to reveal the startling fact that fine particulate pollution levels, owing to long-range transport by winds, is now high across much of the country. The costs of air pollution therefore, are being borne not just by those of us in the metros, but also by large sections of our rural population.

Health Risk from Air Pollution The price of air pollution is indeed very high as it can not only cause

July-Aug ’14

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COVER S T O R Y

long-term health risk, but also death in large numbers. The WHO has therefore called for greater awareness of health risks caused by air pollution, implementation of effective air pollution mitigation policies; and close monitoring of the situation in cities worldwide.

“Too many urban centres today are so enveloped in dirty air that their skylines are invisible,” said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant DirectorGeneral for Family, Children and Women’s Health.

“Not surprisingly, this air is dangerous to breathe. So a growing number of cities and communities worldwide are striving to better meet the needs of their residents - in particular children and the elderly,” Bustreo added.

In April 2014, the WHO issued new information estimating that outdoor air pollution was responsible for the deaths of some 3.7 million people under the age of 60 in 2012.

The WHO also emphasised that indoor and outdoor air pollution combined are among the largest risks to health worldwide.

There are many components of air pollution, both gaseous and solid. But high concentration of small and fine particulate pollution is particularly associated with high numbers of deaths from heart disease and stroke, as well as respiratory illnesses and cancers.

Measurement of fine particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) is considered to be the best indicator of the level of health risks from air pollution.

The data analysis shows the

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situation is only getting worse with time.

India’s green think tank released its own assessment of the global study’s India specific data, warning that the number of premature deaths due to air pollution had increased six fold over the last 10 years.

Outdoor air pollution has jumped to the number 5 spot amongst the top killers in India, taking 6.2 lakh lives per year and the capital New Delhi is among one of the five most critically polluted regions in the country.

The other leading causes of death ahead of air pollution are - high blood pressure, indoor air pollution, tobacco smoking and poor nutrition, the CSE analysis of government data and the Global Burden of Disease report’s data on India showed.

“About 6.2 lakh early deaths occurred in India from air pollutionrelated diseases in 2010. This is shocking and deeply disturbing news.

This calls for urgent and aggressive action to protect public health,” Sunita Narain, Director General CSE, was quoted as saying.

“A whopping 18 million years of healthy lives are lost due to illness burden that enhances the economic cost of pollution. Half of these deaths have been caused by ischemic heart disease triggered by exposure to air pollution and the rest due to stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory tract infection and lung cancer,” she added.

It may be mentioned that last November, an eight-year-old girl in China’s Jiangsu province made international head lines when

Chinese media reported that she was the youngest in the country to be diagnosed with lung cancer. The girl lived near a busy street and had been inhaling dirty air. Air pollution was largely to blame, the doctor treating her said.

E a r l i e r, P r o f e s s o r S . K .

Chhabra, Head of Department of Cardiorespiratory Physiology at the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute in New Delhi, warned against the risk from new generation pollutants, especially ozone which is currently responsible for a four percent increase in mortality rates.

“O z one has become a ke y ingredient of urban smog,” Chhabra noted.

Thus air pollutants that are inhaled have serious impact on human health affecting the lungs and the respiratory system; they are also taken up by the blood and pumped all round the body. These pollutants are also deposited on soil, plants, and in the water, further contributing to human exposure.

What Constitutes Air Pollution?

According to Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria in Australia, air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials.

In the days before the proliferation of large cities and industry, nature’s own systems kept the air fairly clean.

Wind mixed and dispersed the gases, rain washed the dust and other easily dissolved substances to the ground and plants absorbed carbon dioxide and replaced it with oxygen.

With increasing urbanisation and industrialisation, humans started to release more wastes into the atmosphere than nature could cope with.

Since then, more pollution has been added to the air by industrial, commercial and domestic sources.

As these sources are usually found in major cities, the gases that are produced are usually concentrated in the air around them. The adverse

July-Aug ’14

C O V E R STORY

effects of air pollution were graphically illustrated in London in 1952 when, in just a few days, an estimated 4000 people died from effects of fine particle pollution.

Urban air is a cocktail of particulates and gaseous pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbonmonoxide (CO), benzene, ozone (O3), a range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

India to Set Up Its Own Air Pollution Index India is slowly realizing the importance of clean air. After the 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) (a biannual report released by Yale and Columbia universities) ranked India close to last alongside China on an indicator of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is small enough to enter the bloodstream, the Indian pollution regulators are now planning

India’s own air pollution index.

This autumn, India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is set to publish its own air pollution index. The index will measure eight air pollutants in 16 Indian cities, ranking the cities based on their air quality. Similar to air quality indices (AQIs) in the United States, Europe, and China, India’s index is intended to convey air quality levels in a way that is accessible to the general public, clearly identifying health risks associated with the levels of any given air pollutant. The CPCB monitors and regulates the standard spectrum of air pollutants: PM2.5; its slightly larger and less dangerous counterpart PM10; nitrogen dioxide; sulphur dioxide; ozone; carbon monoxide; lead; ammonia; benzene; benzopyrene; nickel; and arsenic.

Out of all of these, PM2.5, which the EPI and WHO studies both measure, is the most dangerous to human health.

“India’s air quality index is a good step in informing the general public about the state of air quality,

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COVER S T O R Y

World’s 20 Most Polluted Cities

According to the World Health Organisation, among the world’s 20 most polluted cities in the world, 13 are in India: • • • • • • • • • •

Delhi Patna Gwalior Raipur Karachi Peshawar Rawalpindi Khoramabad Ahmedabad Lucknow

• • • • • • • • • •

Ferozabad Doha Kanpur Amritsar Ludhiana Igdir Nirianganj Allahabad Agra Khanna

Source: Ambient Air pollution Database, WHO 2014 which will not only sensitise them toward this issue but will also make them think about ways to improve it,” said Sumit Sharma, a fellow in the Earth Science and Climate Change Division of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

“However, merely informing the public through an air quality index is not going to solve the problem.

Air quality indices depend on the data collected through a network of

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monitoring stations. The network itself needs substantial improvement,” Sharma added.

Effective Policy on Air Pollution Needed In countries like Indian and China, the sources of air pollution are numerous and they are often closely linked to economic activities, a major factor that makes it difficult for policy makers to implement effectively the measures to reduce air pollution.

“Effective policy on air pollution therefore has to act in coordination across many sectors, from industry and power to transport and even cooking, and without damaging the benefits these sectors bring to the economy,” wrote Anant Sudarshan and Nicholas Ryan, Sustainability Science Fellows at Harvard Kennedy School in the US in an article in a leading Indian daily.

They said that environmental regulators could more effectively tackle industrial pollution if they had better information on who is emitting how much.

“Many industrial plants are tested by pollution control boards at best a couple of times a year. With limited data, it also becomes difficult to identify and prosecute those who emit too much,” Sudarshan and Ryan explained.

They noted that the effort by several state pollution control boards (SPCBs), including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, to

use automated, digital pollution measuring devices (continuous emissions monitoring systems) to report emissions from factories in real time over the internet is a step in the right direction. “Armed with this data, SPCBs could learn more about which plants are really responsible for air pollution emissions and target regulations accordingly,” they said.

Thus the experts have stated that targeted policies across fuel, transport, power and industr y are urgently needed. Reducing the subsidies for diesel fuel and encouraging cleaner fuels such as natural gas or electricity could be a starting point in this regard.

So the time is now ripe to bring down the share of conventional energy sources and scale up the use of renewable and clean energy sources, make the industry more accountable for air pollution and pave the way for ‘green’ thoughts and practices to permeate all spheres of activities.

In fact, the WHO noted has also noted that some cities are making notable improvements demonstrating that air quality can be improved by implementing policy measures such as banning the use of coal for “space heating” in buildings, using renewable or “clean” fuels for electricity production, and improving efficiency of motor vehicle engines.

“We cannot buy clean air in a bottle, but cities can adopt measures that will clean the air and save the lives of their people,” said Dr Carlos Dora, Coordinator, Interventions for Healthy Environments, WHO Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health.

Measures include ensuring that houses are energy efficient, that urban development is compact and well served by public transport routes, that street design is appealing and safe for pedestrians and cyclists, and waste is well managed, the WHO noted.

Such activities not only clean the air but can also serve as a catalyst for local economic development and the promotion of healthy urban lifestyles, the United Nations body said.

The quicker India catches up, the better it will be for its future and the world. 

July-Aug ’14

July-Aug ’14

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BUSINESS

Waste Management: Opportunities for

Foreign Companies

Solid waste management has been a tedious and long haranguing problem for municipal corporations. Local landfills pose their own problems – lack of sufficient land and the odours emanating from it. With new technologies, however, it has now become possible to convert this waste to energy. Recycling has become extremely beneficial. With the government’s liberal policies the private sector is now playing an important role in trying to convert the country to zero waste. This sector is also offering immense scope to international players who are keen to take up joint venture projects

By Ashok Malkani

I

f opportunities are hidden in challenges, India’s solid waste management (SWM) sector can be a perfect example. While one side of the SWM coin shows fast growth of solid waste in India driven by rapid economic growth and urbanization as well as reduced land areas for dumping those waste, those with an optimistic approach may see application of innovative technologies for putting this enormous waste into use.

According to government sources, urban India alone currently generates 170,000 tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) each day. Only 19 percent of this waste is treated and rest goes to dump sites causing serious problems to health and environment. The situation is assuming alarming proportions in the country.

Per capita waste generation in cities varies from 0.2 kg to 0.6 kg per day depending upon the size of population. This is

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July-Aug ’14

BUSINESS estimated to increase at 1.33 percent annually.

Ac c o r d i n g t o a E u r o p e a n Technology and Business Centre (ETBC) report, the Indian industrial sector generates an estimated 100 million tons/year of non-hazardous solid wastes, with coal ash from thermal power stations accounting for more than 70 million tons/year.

Over 8 million tons/year of hazardous waste is generated in India. About 60% of these wastes, i.e., 4.8 million tons/year is estimated to be recyclable and the remaining 3.2 million tons/year is non-recyclable.

The total waste quantity generated

by the year 2047 is estimated to be about 260 million tons per year. It is estimated that if the waste is not disposed off in a more systematic manner, more than 1,400 km2 of land, which is equivalent to the size of city of Delhi, would be required in the country by the year 2047 for its disposal.

According to the ETBC report, the main driver for domestic waste is the rapid urbanisation that is slated to change India from a largely rural to a majority urban country in the next decade (2020). In contrast rural waste is largely agricultural in nature and is dispersed over half-

a-million habitations making them ‘manageable’.

Growing solid waste also poses environment and public health challenges. For instance, the practice of uncontrolled dumping of waste on the outskirts of towns and cities has created serious environmental and public health problems that threaten water quality and urbanisation itself.

This unsatisfactory state of affairs is mirrored even in the industrial (hazardous) sector, where the challenges are steeper in terms of treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Waste is predominantly disposed off in landfills, and partly by incineration. 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) is seldom used in practice, despite being part of the policy envelope for a while.

Therefore, authorities face the challenge of reinforcing their available infrastructure for efficient waste management and ensuring a scientific disposal of the wastes. Therefore, the key will be to start looking at means and technologies to recover resources from waste management.

The government and corporations have now taken cognizant of things that require immediate attention, and a lot of funds have been diverted to various waste management projects.

D ue to these challenges of managing waste without affecting the environment, the sector has opened up new opportunities for innovative technologies -- from gas control, conversion from gas to energy, biodiesel and fuel cells, to landfill cap design.

Opportunities for Investors The municipal corporations are now going to have a wider base for selection since India has opened up avenues for FDI in several sectors. The solid waste management is a segment which offers immense opportunities for foreign companies.

The Indian companies too can take advantage by becoming joint partners in these ventures. Solid waste sector offers many possibilities to foreign companies with low-cost technologies, products or services.

There is an urgent need in most cities to change, restructure or intensify the waste collection systems. There is

July-Aug ’14

15

BUSINESS

a need for promoting new ideas and concepts of SWM in waste collection, segregation and waste transportation.

This concerns hazardous waste and biomedical waste too.

Due to the lack of capital, so far low-cost treatment technologies, such as “dumpsite treatment” and composting technologies have been used. The role of waste recovery and recycling has not been essential, because rag pickers have taken care of valuables and recyclables.

The lack of land and increasing waste quantities require new technologies, which are applicable for mixed SWM and be competitive.

It is quite probable that outdoor composting will increase its role in the future, in case, reasonable use can be found for the compost endproduct. The prospects for anaerobic digestion are also promising but are highly dependent on the reasonable utilization of heat energy.

Scope for Joint Ventures There is ample opportunity for foreign companies with latest technologies to enter the country.

Drivers of Growth

The Indian entrepreneurs also have the prospect of stepping in as partners in joint ventures.

These joint ventures would have to provide integrated solutions in waste treatment, including performing feasibility studies, designing, technical consulting and providing operation and online maintenance

Key drivers for the growth of waste management sector are: • Stricter norms are being proposed by the government for treating hazardous industrial wastes.

• Supreme Court rulings and public interest litigations are actively planning for managing domestic wastes.

• Now that size of landfill space is shrinking with the increasing population in rural areas, it has become imperative to use better management and new technologies for managing waste.

• Many government schemes and grants are being handed over for infrastructure development in small and medium sized towns.

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services.

Invariably, India offers excellent opportunities for international or foreign companies specializing in various waste management processes.

Even the companies selling products and technology will find India as a big and lucrative marketplace. With a growing urgency for efficient waste management in many cities across India, there will be more and more projects and employment opportunities in the sector. As seen in the above mentioned cases, foreign companies get the golden opportunity of partnering with Indian players to create integrated solutions in various waste management areas like feasibilit y s t u d y, d e s i g n and planning, t e c h n i c a l consultations, waste treatment technologies, restructuring of existing waste collection systems, etc.

Some of the areas where foreign companies can play an integral part are: • Engineering services • Transpor tation and waste collection • Technical consulting • Performing feasibility studies • Landfill treatment • Composting technologies • Dumpsite treatment • Waste treatment plants • Operation and maintenance services • Biological waste treatment • Mechanical waste treatment • Sewage sludge treatment • Treatment and recycling

Government Incentives Additionally there are fiscal incentives offered by the government, which makes this sector even more lucrative for international investors. The incentives are:

July-Aug ’14

Waste to Energy

A Task Force on “Waste to Energy” was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. K. Kasturirangan to identify technically feasible, financially affordable and environmentally sound processing and disposal technologies for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). It had also evaluated technological options, financial mechanisms and institutional arrangements to enhance resource recovery and promote Waste to Energy technologies.

The report highlights the need for an integrated approach towards MSW management, stressing reduction and segregation of waste at source and also efficient utilization of various components of the waste. It emphasizes setting up centralised or decentralised waste processing facilities keeping in view the quantity and quality of waste generated and financial viability of the processing technology.

The report provides guidance for the selection of appropriate technology and clearly indicates technologies that could be adopted by various classes of cities. It emphasizes on converting the combustible waste into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to be used in power plants based on RDF. The report strongly recommends Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a mode of service delivery to achieve the target set for Sustainable Waste Management. A model scheme has also been detailed for setting up Waste to Energy projects through PPP mode, including a viability gap funding up to 40%.

• Companies that handle waste management projects can get 100 percent tax deductions on gains and profits.

• Electricity taxes and excise duty with exemptions and concessions.

• Concessions and waiv er of customs duty are offered on certain material imports meant for generating renewable energy.

• There is an increasing need for new technologies and waste management systems, which makes it the right time for foreign companies to invest in India.

India too is slowly and steadily coming to grips with the problem of dealing with solid waste without GHG emissions, by adopting new technologies. Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Minister, Sudhir Sharma, a few months back, said that the Himachal Pradesh government was mulling to adopt new technology for solid waste management and providing basic amenities in all townships like solid waste management, sewerage, drainage, toilets and roads would be given special priority. He stated the department would import a new advanced technology for collection and recycling of biodegradable waste.

July-Aug ’14

He said that efforts were being made to import advanced technology from Holland.

It may be mentioned that a lot of funds are being diverted to various waste management projects. Municipal waste is very different from the rural waste and the government is looking for foreign players to help resolve this issue. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that a Sri Lankan group has come forward to invest € 38.46 million and they will implement Israeli waste management technology.

It would be interesting to entrepreneurs to note that following a robust response to its Expression of Interest (EOI) to set up wasteto-energy plants for processing the city’s municipal solid waste, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has now received six applications for the project’s Request for Qualifications (RFQs), mostly from foreign firms.

In November last year, over 30 firms and consortia had evinced interest in the BMC’s initial EOI. Of these, 22 were joint ventures with foreign firms.

The stage is indeed set for foreign companies to convert waste to winsome profits! 

17

CLEANING

How

to

Choose the Right

Vacuum Cleaner A thorough assessment of the nature of the cleaning jobs to be carried out in the premises is key to choosing the right types of vacuum cleaners

0

ver the past decade, several new players in the vacuum c leaners business hav e entered the market in India.

Commercial and industrial users have a wider choice of models available to them. This has not made the job of the decision maker any easier. In spite of the fact that vacuum cleaners have been around in India since the early sixties, the concept has started

18

taking off only recently. Most users therefore, are ďŹ rst timers and are not adequately exposed to the concept and technology to be able to make the right choice.

The smart salesman exploiting the ignorance of the new user does not obviously make their life simpler. It would not be wrong to say that a major segment of the potential buyers for vacuum cleaners are inclined towards conventional

July-Aug ’14

CLEANING methods of cleaning.

“The cost of a worker is less than the interest loss on the investment on cleaning equipment” is not an uncommon argument that a sales person receives from his buyers.

Cost being the most important factor in the mind of a customer, it does not necessarily lead him to the right decision. Ideally a vacuum cleaner will be effective and efficient, reducing the time and effort required to do periodic cleaning. It will be dependable, needing very little maintenance for many years to come.

Before making a right choice one must first understand what a vacuum cleaner is and how it works.

A vacuum cleaner has essentially the following parts: • A nozzle (an accessory item such as a floor brush, crevice nozzle, etc.)

• A set of flexible hose and extension wands (rigid pipes) to connect the nozzle with vacuum cleaner and provide a comfortable handle to the operator.

The main unit of the vacuum cleaner consists of; • The container in which the dirt and debris are collected • A separation device or devices like cyclone pre-filter and / or main filter (possibly assisted by a paper bag).

• A “vacuum generation unit ” (VGU) - a single or multistage centrifugal blower or a turbine blower.

• Other body parts, wheels, trolleys etc.

The VGU of the unit creates suction — resulting in airflow. This airflow is directed through the filters and pipes to be eventually released at the nozzle opening. The energy and force exerted by the moving air on the dirt forces it to move from the source point i.e. floor, carpet of furniture to the container of the unit through the pipes.

in the premises.

Look around the area to be cleaned paying close attention to the variety of surfaces which need to be cleaner.

These may include carpeted and non carpeted floors, upholstered and wooden furniture, stairs, door frames, window sills, venetian blinds, drapes, picture frames, ceiling fans as well as small nooks and crannies.

They require cleaning to maintain a healthy environment.

While complete periodic cleaning is required for most areas, there are some areas which need more frequent cleaning such as high traffic areas, shop floors, etc. Also one may need to do ‘wet-cleaning’ — i.e. removal of water from the floor, oils and chemical spillages, etc., particularly after scrubbing canteen floors, kitchens, and shampooing of carpets. Then there are some cleaning jobs which are done once

in a while.

As one can see, there are a variety of different types of surfaces which need to be cleaned. To add to the complexity, there are weekly cleaning tasks like those special tasks which are done rather infrequently and also those which require daily time and attention.

The Selection In order to perform multiple tasks, the vacuum cleaner industry has developed a variety of vacuum cleaners: some to do a broad range of tasks as well as those which specialise in doing only one or two tasks extremely well.

Also it is important to know what constitutes a good performance.

Airflow is the most important of all factors which determine the working of a vacuum cleaner; it is the force exerted by the moving air which actually picks up the dirt

Why Need Vacuum Cleaner?

To be able to decide on the types of vacuum cleaner needed it is first important to assess the nature of the cleaning jobs to be carried out

July-Aug ’14

19

CLEANING in a system which are not reflected in the airflow rating. In addition to the resistance within the actual vacuum cleaner, there is resistance caused by air turbulence in the hose and tubing, restriction where the cleaning nozzle contacts the floor, as well as increased resistance within the filtration system as the unit fills with dirt. Therefore, it is important to compare the sealed suction along with the airflow when comparing different vacuum cleaners.

and moves it into the bag or dirt container.

Airflow is given in Cubic Meters per Hour (CMH) or Cubic feet Per Minute (CFM) for a vacuum cleaner. While the airflow rating is not a direct rating of the power of the suction motor, it is affected by suction. The airflow rating is typically obtained by measuring the airflow through the vacuum cleaner with no hose or attachments connected to it.

One must keep in mind that the same air moves through the entire vacuum cleaner system so the actual airflow in use in proportional to the amount of suction produced by the motor and inversely proportional to the total resistance to air flow throughout the system.

The air is motivated to move by the reduced air pressure created by the suction motor. The easier it is for the air to flow, the better the cleaning performance will be. Also, the stronger the suction created by the suction motor, the better the airflow will be.

There are many variables which affect the actual airflow

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Efficiency The quality of the filter can have a’ significant impact on the airflow through the system. While the bag’s filter media must be able to stop the fine dust and allergens, it should present the least amount of resistance, to airflow.

The total resistance of the paper bag is inversely proportional to the total area of the filter media. In other words, doubling the area of a filter’s surface will cut the total resistance to airflow by half.

For any given airflow, the speed” of the moving air is inversely proportional to the area of the opening through which it is passing. A narrower opening in the nozzle will produce a faster airflow velocity, enacting more force to pick up the dirt.

This is why a small attachment is more effective in pic king up stubborn dirt.

For best performance the nozzle should also be designed so s o it i t produces p ro d u c e s similar airflow air flow velocity across its complete width, not just near the air passage leading from it. A standard canister type of vacuum c leaner relies primarily on its airflow to pick up dirt and put it into the dirt

container. This works quite well for cleaning non-carpeted floors with- a floor brush as well as dusting wooden furniture and cleaning upholstered furniture.

Performance W hen it comes to cleaning performance, there is a tendency to look primarily at the power of the suction motor and the amount of bristles on the brush roll. While these are important considerations, the quality and size of the paper bag are very important factors as well.

The quality of the bag’s filter

media affects both its ability to retain the fine dust and allergens and its ability to allow air to easily flow through it. The size of the bag will determine how easily the air flows through it as well.

Care should be taken to always replace the filter bag with an equally high quality filter so good vacuum cleaner performance is maintained.

Therefore, if two different size bags are constructed of the same quality filter media, the larger one will enhance the cleaning performance by making it easier for the air to flow.

Besides these important indicators, one may also consider the durability factor while choosing the right vacuum cleaner that could  be the most cost effective.

July-Aug ’14

May-June’14 ’13 July-Aug

53 21

PEST MANAGEMENT

Is Your

Carpet

Nesting Pests?

Carpet care goes beyond dusting as many pests may make carpets their nests, feed on fabrics and reside there for as long as they are not disturbed, causing infestation and making a place unhygienic in the process

I

f your carpet care programme has so far involved what can essentially be called dusting, think again! Because crawling under the beautiful carpets that gracefully embraces your feet and pleases your eyes could be some difficult-to-get-rid-of pests as they may also expand their area of command.

Many pests crawl and find a right place that provides for a great nest location. In homes and indoor areas where carpets are laid, pest can make it their residence for as long nothing is disturbed.

Pests usually love small holes,

22

cracks and crevices. Such invasions may not add much in making a place unhygienic in the very first place, but their pinchers may hurt when they grip you, and it is more likely that they would find their way into many other adjoining places.

Carpet Beetles – A Common Carpet Pest Carpet beetles can cause serious damage to fabrics, carpets, furs, stored food, and preserved specimens. The three most common carpet beetles are -- the varied carpet beetle, the furniture carpet beetle, and the black carpet beetle.

They find carpets, woolen fabrics or furs suitable to lay eggs that hatch in about two weeks. Depending upon the species and environmental conditions, the larvae then feed for varying periods as they prefer dark, secluded places. Although they do not make webs as clothes moths do, one can find out about the infestation through their shed skins and fecal pellets.

The good thing about adult carpet beetles is that they do not feed on fabrics and instead go out in the sun in search of pollen and nectar.

So the damage occurs during the larval stage as the larvae feed on a

July-Aug ’14

PEST MANAGEMENT

variety of dead animals and animal products such as wool, silk, leather, fur, hair brushes with natural bristles, pet hair, and feathers in dark and undisturbed places. But they do not feed on synthetic fibres.

According to Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, carpet beetles are among the most difficult indoor pests to control because of their ability to find food in obscure places and to disperse widely throughout a building.

“Successful control depends on a combination of sanitation and exclusion. If exclusion and sanitation are successful, insecticide treatments are not required,” it stated.

July-Aug ’14

In places where infestations are serious, sticky traps can be used. The traps not only show where beetles are coming from, they are also useful for monitoring the effectiveness of control practices.

In some cases the pest control operators may also use sticky traps baited with a pheromone. Pheromone traps are species-specific, so it is important to use one that attracts the species causing problems in a particular area.

Preventing Carpet Pests Infestations Good housekeeping is the foundation of any good fabric pest prevention

program.

Thorough and frequent cleaning, taking special care with those hardto-clean areas, is important. Such c leaning removes debris deep in rugs and carpets. Paying attention to areas under the edges of rugs and along the wall, under couches, sofas, chairs and chests helps to prevent the scope of damage.

Vacuuming both sides of area rugs/carpets once a month during

23

PEST MANAGEMENT to carpet region only but along the upholstery items too. Also, the process could be undertaken and rotated periodically.

the summer and e ver y other month in other seasons should become a routine. Rotate rugs or rearrange furniture periodically to expose different areas of the floor coverings.

People tend to think that pest management begins from insecticides and pesticides. But it need not necessarily be so. A good pest management programme with focus on prevention can drastically bring down the use of pesticides and insecticides. One has to consider the pesticide part only in cases where infestation has already occurred in and around carpet region.

When you find an infestation under carpet area: • Check thoroughly. Search for other areas within the rooms where pest might be finding their food, etc.

Find everything for that has been infested.

• Clean, treat or get rid of infested carpet.

• Clean and treat the whole area after removing the carpet even if it is not completely infested, and • Carpets like hairy products should be removed from nearby places if such infestation is confronted.

To prevent further damage

24

Carpet Pest Control Thoroughly brushing or vacuuming carpeted items is needed to restrict the infestation risk. Constant vigilance is necessary for locating irregular signals of possible infestation. Collecting cryptic clues can make us uncover locations where immediate action is needed.

It is not necessary to treat walls, ceilings or storage shelf surfaces.

Many of the household pesticides labeled forant and cockroach control are also labeled for fabric pests.

However, most of these insecticides may be used only on storage surfaces; only a few may be used directly on fabrics. Before using an insecticide for any purpose, it is important to read the label thoroughly and follow the directions carefully.

While the homeowner may control many infestations, professionals are able to treat hidden infestations in closets or rugs and carpets most effectively. Valuable items, such as expensive rugs, furs, carpets may require some professional help as they can find the root cause of and help minimise the possibility of future infestation. Moreover, pest control operators sometime use certain insecticides that are either not available to the general public or best  left to the experts for use.

in a scenario where infestation exists, one needs to clean and vacuum regularly.

Carpets are laid in hotel rooms or otherwise throughout the floor or in a particular area where sitting arrangements are made. Thus it is important that one should keep a close watch on upholstered furniture, cracks and crevices under furniture. For this, regular vacuuming should not be restricted

July-Aug ’14

LAUNDRY

How Hotels can

Leverage Laundry To determine what type and how much industrial laundry equipment a hospitality property needs, it is important to first determine the size of your laundry operations, fabric used in the hotel and load per day

By Kanishka Gupta

A

laundry plays a vital role in hotel housekeeping operations because it oversees the cleaning and upkeep of linen and fabric on a daily basis. A laundry is also essential from the guests’ point of view as laundry requirements may arise during the course of their stay, which usually get taken care of by the in-house laundry in hotels. Dry cleaning, normal laundering, express laundry, pressing, etc. are the standard set of laundry services offered to hotel guests.

Rooms are a major sub-section of housekeeping and without laundry, it is impossible to make available

July-Aug ’14

to the guests fresh and plush linen, which is vital to the décor of the rooms and central to the concept of a five-star or for that matter any star hotel’s experience. When dirty or used linen is sent for cleaning, it undergoes several stages like sorting, washing, extraction, drying, pressing, packaging, and distribution. Each process is important so as to breathe life into the linen and keep them from smelling or appearing soiled.

A laundry also provides the hotel’s housekeeping staff with clean, crisp and well-ironed uniforms. This is necessary as the employees are representatives of the hotel and

pivotal to promoting the hotel’s image. O verall, the laundr y department plays a very important role in the housekeeping function of a hotel.

Laundry Functions in Hotels “A laundry in a five-star hotel is operational for 24 hours in a day throughout the year,” said Reetha Thomas, Executive Housekeeper at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida. That gives us an idea of the importance of laundry operations in hotel business.

Any article which is processed in laundry primarily goes through

25

LAUNDRY are the major functions of a laundry in a typical day,” Parhar added.

A laundry also plays an important role in providing a luxurious experience during any banquet function in the hotel by supplying crisp and clean table top covers and other required essentials, he explained.

four stages. First, sorting is done for stains, according to the type of linen as different items often require different washing formulae. Thus, it is inadvisable to mix different items of linen in the same wash batch.

Then the laundry undergoes actual washing. The sorted linen is weighed according to the washing machine’s load limit. Large washing machines are used, which are usually operated by a certified washer operator. The washer operator loads and unloads the washer, decides what is to be washed according to the laundry’s schedule, and monitors the chemical levels in the water.

Third, in the drying/tumble stage, linen is dried in tumble dryer according to its type and weight and after that, items like bed sheets/ pillow slips are also calendered and then folded. Items like towels and blankets are put through a dryer until they are no longer damp. In short, in this stage, the clean linen is dried, ironed and folded.

Then the processed linen is prepared for delivery and kept ready for rooms, restaurants, etc. In the delivery stage, clean linen is stacked in clean linen trolley and sent to the floors for repeat usage.

At Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida, an average weight of 11001300 kg of linen/fabric is processed every day. These include bath linen of 240 kg daily on an average, bed

26

linen of 300 kg daily on an average, guest white of 15 kg daily on an average, guest colour of 25 kg daily on an average, and guest light of 20 kg daily on an average.

F& B white of 120 kg daily on an average, F&B colour of 80 kg daily on an average, white uniform of 100 kg daily on an average, coloured uniform of 110 kg daily on an average, spa towels of 200 kg daily on an average, dry cleanable items of 30 kg daily on an average and others constituting 25 kg daily on an average are also part of the total average weight of laundry load processed per day at the property.

Similarly, the laundry at ITC Maurya, New Delhi has a capacity to process 8,000 kg of laundry per day.

“Our hotel deals in all types of linen such as towel, silk, wool, cotton, etc. which require different chemicals to treat them,” said Gurdeep Singh Parhar, FabriCare Specialist at ITC Maurya, New Delhi.

“In-house laundry caters to guests as well as staff (for maintaining hygiene and standards of the uniform) of the hotel. A laundry’s function in any hotel is that of a 24 hour department. From soiled linen from each F&B outlet and room linen to staff uniforms, laundry caters to all. Sorting, cleaning, dry cleaning, ironing and then marking

Laundry Equipment in Use At Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida, a variety of machines for different uses made by different manufacturers are installed. “Skilled and experienced staff operates the machines as the process demands expertise and technical know-how,” informed Reetha.

Wa s h e r - c u m - e x t r a c t o r, a state-of-the-art machine with a capacity to wash 200 kg linen per hour; dryers; flat bed press with folders; utility pressing machine; dry-cleaning machines; marking machines constitute the range of laundry equipment of ITC Maurya, New Delhi. “The hotel does train the laundry men to operate these machines as they require some level of expertise to operate,” said Parhar.

The need for sophisticated range of laundry equipment is catered to by various suppliers and manufacturers.

One of the major suppliers of laundry equipment in hotels is Supershine Laundry Systems Pvt. Ltd. Suppliers like Supershine Laundry Systems manufacture and supply a range of laundry equipment and has an impressive list of clientele comprising top-end hotels.

“A typical hotel laundry consists of washer extractor, drying tumbler, feeder, flat work ironer and folder, dry cleaning machine and finishing presses,” affirmed Karan Goyal, Vice President, Supershine Laundry Systems.

“Majority of five-star hotels in India purchase imported laundry equipment due to their superior quality and better processing results on an average,” he added.

Hotels happen to be the primary market segment of Supershine Laundry Systems. “About 95 percent of our sales come from our hotel clients,” pointed out Goyal.

July-Aug ’14

LAUNDRY Choosing the Equipment and Supplier A well-equipped laundry area can be a very convenient asset to any hotel.

But how do hotels determine what laundry equipment they want or require and how do they choose their suppliers? While buying laundry equipment following factors can be taken into account by the hotels so as to enable them to possess the optimum laundry set up.

Overall, Reetha feels that when choosing a supplier for laundry equipment some important parameters should be taken care of.

They are -- price, quality, training provided, sustainability of supplies, and whether the supplier complies with relevant legislation of the company like ISO certification, HACCP certification, etc. The availability of the supplier and spare parts of the equipment purchased, during an emergency, should also be taken care of.

“It is also important to determine the availability and pricing of common parts of the laundr y machines which you intend to purchase and one should also make sure that one has the warranty details in writing,” explained Reetha. She also urges buyers to ask for a handful of references in the industry and to do their homework before checking the suppliers.

Besides these basic factors some other factors too need to be considered while purchasing a laundry equipment or a range of laundry equipment in a hotel. “Before shopping for laundry equipment, you must consider your

July-Aug ’14

daily needs or the size of property you are working with. Hotels should carefully consider their daily laundry needs before buying any laundry equipment,” asserted Reetha.

She also correctly pointed out that before heading to buy the laundry equipment or the range of laundry equipment, one should be armed with the information on space like length, width and height of the laundry where it/they need/s to be installed.

“To determine what type and how much industrial laundry equipment a hospitality property needs, it is important to first determine the size of your laundry operations, fabric used in the hotel and load per day. Other things to consider are employee turnover and floor space, etc.,” elaborated Parhar.

“Always try to buy high efficiency and energy-saving equipment. Large capacity washers and dryers mean more output and greater efficiency in processing your daily wash requirements,” explained Reetha.

She also advised to be sure of taking advantage of any opportunities to save. “Many retailers offer additional sales information online, so remember to check store websites,” she stated.

When asked on specifications about washer and dryer, she said that “a washer or dryer should have programmable cycles and simple one touch operation.” According to her, it should have customisation of cycle times, spin speeds, number of rinses and water temperature, which means consistent wash outcomes and ease of operations.

That is not all. Manual dosing of powdered or liquid detergents and sanitisers is often plagued with issues like pilferage, over use, poor cleaning outcomes, and detergent residues in fabric, along with potential safety issues and higher costs. “All of these issues can be overcome and detergent costs can be slashed by fitting automatic chemical dosing pumps to your machine,” articulated Reetha.

Future is Indigenous Goyal views that the “future of laundry equipment industry in India is definitely of indigenously manufactured laundry equipment.”

Goyal has a valid reason for this statement. “This is because imported laundry equipment has a market segment limited primarily to five-star and four-star hotels, which can afford some extra initial capital investment on laundry equipment due to their quality consciousness.

Other market segments like hospitals, garment manufacturers a n d e d u c a t i on a l i n s t i t u t i on s primarily cater to their laundry needs through indigenously manufactured laundry equipment,” he analysed.

“Now when the laundry equipment manufacturing processes in India will advance and as the indigenous laundry equipment manufacturers will be able to match quality expectations of five-star and four-star hotels, the imported laundry equipment’s requirement will diminish. So, indigenous manufacturing of laundry equipment is the way to go,” Goyal concluded. 

27

WATER

Pool Maintenance Swimming

Swimmers must share responsibility with pool maintenance staff in keeping recreational water illnesses at bay and allow the water to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul

By Jyotismita Sharma

B

e it a summer resort, a luxury property or a club house, the blue aura of a swimming pool can do wonders in attracting guests. Many think that a well-maintained swimming pool can sometimes give even the finest of the chefs, who are often regarded as the glue that keeps the guests bonded to a property with their difficult-to-forget

delicacies, run for their money.

While many

28

parents make it a point to check in only in a hotel with a swimming pool every time they tour with their kids during summer vacations so that the kids can have a good time, adolescents and adults find swimming a great way to stay fit.

And what add to the glamour of swimming pools are the sizzling hot pool parties, which are gaining increasing currency among India’s upwardly mobile youth.

So swimming pools are today sought not just for the fitness benefits that they offer. They can help friends come closer, offer a venue for professionals to network and provide a stressed tourist an opportunity to relax on his/her

own. Therefore, it goes without saying that for most hospitality properties, swimming pools are great assets, which, if kept in good shape, can pay great dividends.

Need for Regular Maintenance Even as the pools reverberate with the potential to earn the mysterious loyalty of the guests, a poorly kept swimming pool can also be a source of many maladies both for the property owners and their guests.

For example, if you do not keep the chlorine level at an optimum level, the pool may invite algae to grow and harmful bacteria to multiply, leading to unpleasant smell

July-Aug ’14

WATER maintaining a healthy pool.

Another reason why proper maintenance of swimming pools is necessary is that RWIs can also be caused by chemicals in the water. Additionally, chemicals that evaporate from the water may also cause indoor air quality problems.

It should also be noted that in the past twenty years, RWI outbreaks associated with swimming have gone up significantly.

Moreover, other swimmingrelated injuries such as drowning and electrical hazards are also not uncommon.

and other health problems which are collectively called recreational water illnesses (RWIs).

RWIs include wide variety of infections, such as gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections.

However, it should be kept in mind that even chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are germs today that are ver y tolerant to chlorine and were not known to cause human disease until recently. In some cases, chlorine may take days to kill these germs. So swimming may expose one to those harmful germs and may cause RWIs. “RWIs are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans,” according to CDC. Diarrhea is most commonly reported swimming pool-related disease. Germs such as Crypto (short for Cr yptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7 cause the disease.

Crypto has become the leading cause of swimming pool-related outbreaks of diarrheal illness

July-Aug ’14

primarily because it is tolerant to chlorine and can stay alive for days.

However, chlorine can kill most other germs almost instantly and therefore, keeping chlorine at recommended levels is key to

Responsibility of Swimmers The onus of keeping hygiene of the pools cannot be put solely on the maintenance staff. The swimmers should also actively participate in the healthy practices required to keep the pool waters safe. For example, changing diapers of kids near the pool poses serious health risk to the swimmers. And if everyone takes a shower with soap before entering the pool, it is highly likely that dirt and germs

29

WATER

Keeping the Pool Water Sparkling

T

o prevent visible growth of algae, which imposes a green layer on the water, the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli suggests the following steps: 1 Brush the walls and floor of the swimming pool to remove algae and reduce the amount of time it takes to kill and clear the algae bloom.

2 Ensure that the pH level (acidity) is within the range of 7.2 - 7.6. This will ensure that any chlorine added will work more efficiently - high pH levels in particular will impair the efficiency of the chlorine doing its job. National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli suggests that with the pool filter system running, add a chlorine based swimming pool shock at the rate of 1.6 kg. per 1,00,000 litres of pool water dosage for killing algae. The pool filter system should continue to run 24 hours a day.

3 If the condition of the swimming pool does not significantly improve after 12-24 hours of filtering, add

30

a second dose of chlorine pool shock at the increased rate. Repeat this process until the algae has been eliminated.

4 Once the algae is dead it will turn a white or grayish colour, and it will be suspended in the pool water or settle to the floor.

When there is no longer any sign of the color green in your pool, thoroughly vacuum the swimming pool. It is recommended that you vacuum dead algae to waste and not through filter.

5 The pool filter should be backwashed or cleaned to be sure that dead algae are not trapped inside the filter. If the filter is not thoroughly cleaned the algae may quickly return.

6 Test and balance all of the pool chemical levels using the following guidelines. Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm, pH: 7.2 – 7.6, Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm and Calcium Hardness: 200 –350 ppm.

7 An algaecide pool chemical on a weekly basis

may prevent algae from returning.

8 The fine debris suspended in the water can also make the pool water cloudy. In such cases, you may backwash or clean your pool filter following the manufacturer’s instructions, and run the pool filter system continuously for 24 to 48 hours.

9 And if the water conditions do not significantly improve you may add a clarifier pool chemical to help the pool filter remove the fine debris.

Continue filtering for 12 to 24 hours.

10 A second dose of clarifier or a stronger clarifier chemical can be added if water conditions do not improve markedly.

Continue to run your filtration system.

11 If the pool can be too cloudy for a clarifier, you may have to move up to a flocculent. This will drop any suspended particles to the floor so you can vacuum it to waste.

July-Aug ’14

WATER

will go down the drain and not the pool.

Moreover, some people think that it is normal to urinate while swimming in the pool. But a new study has found that swimming pool urine combines with chlorine to pose health risks.

Uric acid in urine generates potentially hazardous “volatile disinfection byproducts” in swimming pools by interacting with chlorine, said the study by researchers from Purdue University in the US. The disinfection byproducts

July-Aug ’14

include cyanogen chloride (CNCl) and trichloramine (NCl3). Cyanogen chloride is a toxic compound that affects many organs, including the lungs, heart and central nervous system by inhalation. Trichloramine has been associated with acute lung injury in accidental, occupational or recreational exposures to chlorinebased disinfectants.

Researchers had already known that certain airborne contaminants are created when chlorine reacts with sweat and urine in indoor swimming pools.

The new findings show definitively that uric acid from urine is “an efficient precursor to the formation of CNCl and NCl3,” said Jing Li, a visiting scholar from the China Agricultural University working at Purdue University with Ernest R. Blatchley III, a professor of civil engineering.

“Given that uric acid introduction to pools is attributable to urination, the findings indicate important

benefits to pool water and air chemistry that could result from improved hygiene habits on the part of swimmers,” Blatchley said.

“A common misconception within the swimming community is that urination in pools is an acceptable practice, although signs and placards are posted in many pools to encourage proper hygiene.

It is also well known that many swimmers ignore these warnings,” Blatchley said in the study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

The ne w findings suggest more than 90 percent of uric acid introduced to pools comes from human urine.

Therefore, it goes without saying that swimmers may ignore the instructions of the pool maintenance staff at their own cost. They must share responsibility with the staff in keeping recreational water illnesses at bay and allow the water to rejuvenate their mind, body and  soul.

31

HYGIENE

Waterless Urinals: The Next Frontiers in Hygiene Widespread use of waterless urinals can produce a domino effect of conservation as they can also curb wastewater generation and help save electricity

By Kartik Iyengar

T

he wor ld has changed considerably over the past few decades.

Fresh water that was abundantly available is now very scarce. Declining natural resources, increasing human demands, climate change, have led to an increased awareness, desire and need to install water conserving systems.

The United Nations projects the current world population of 7.2 billion to reach 9.6 billion by 2050, which will further strain water supplies. Shortage of fresh water is a reality as 2050 nears with the likelihood that water will be “potentially used as a weapon, where one state denies access to another,” According to a Nature study, 1.7 billion people already rely on aquifers that are rapidly getting depleted.

Hence, water is precious and there is no denying that

32

we need to use the available water wisely.

It is estimated that India uses about two billion gallons of water every day to flush waste. In the hospitality industry, guest showers, pools and laundry operations, water accounts for a large part of a hotel’s utility bill. Similarly, in the shopping malls and multiplexes, the toilets and urinals alone account for nearly one-third of building water consumption, making potential for water savings very high.

It is now highly important that as occupants and users of such large facilities we should assess the usage of water and determine areas that can dramatically reduce water consumption on a daily basis. Today, many sanitary ware companies are also promoting waterless urinals in a bid to help the industry and the world at large to save this finite natural resource. However, despite their enormous evident benefits in dealing with increasing water shortage, the waterless urinals have much to

July-Aug ’14

How Taski Fresh & Clean Urinal Screen Works The following steps should be followed: • Disconnect the water supply to the urinal pot • Place Taski Fresh & Clean Urinal Screen • Do not flush after every use • Spray odour eliminator every 4-6 hours depending on traffic • Replace urinal pad after 4 weeks or when you can’t smell any fragrance, whichever is earlier • Do not pour water at any stage • At the end of the day flush out waste collected in the urinal Note: In high-traffic areas cleaning should occur more frequently.

Benefits • • • • •

Easy and simple to use Saves 60% water External fragrance system not required Low bacteria levels Lower operating and maintaining cost

climb up on the scale of popularity as the conventional urinal system still remains the most widely used system.

This is where D i v e r s e y ’s l a t e s t offering “Taski Fresh & Clean Urinal Screen” fits in. Most urinals can use between 4 to 8 liters of water for each flush. A urinal in a busy office where 100plus men work will use more water than one located in a small restaurant. Taking all of the variables into account, in waterless concept, a single urinal in a workplace with a few dozen employees can save about 170,000 liters of water per year by using Taski Fresh & Clean Urinal Screens.

In high-traffic facilities and in situations where providing a water supply may be difficult or where water conservation is desired, the Taski Fresh and Clean Urinal Screen can ideally fit the bill.

The combination of this product along with Good Sense Odour

July-Aug ’14

Eliminator whic h is a blend of nonpathogenic bacteria and enzymes results in a clean and hygienic Urinal.

W idespread use of waterless urinals can produce a domino effect of conservation.

S ince no water is required, water utilities will not need to treat and pump as much water. Smaller quantities of pumped water lead to energy savings. Also, the absence of flushing means generation of less wastewater and so is its treatment. Therefore, water is conserved as are resources needed to generate electricity. ( T h e author is Head Marketing OperationsDiversey Care Chemicals)

33

IAQ



Air Ducts

of Cleaning

Besides ensuring good indoor air quality, air duct cleaning and maintenance may also add years to the life of heating and cooling systems and save energy

By Jyotismita Sharma

F

or their indispensable role in regulating the quality of indoor air, be it your home or office, air ducts used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to deliver and remove air can be compared to lungs in our bodies. Just as we harm our lungs by smoking or inhaling polluted air, air ducts too may get contaminated by mold growth, leaving us with bad air quality to breathe and exposing us to all health risks associated with such air.

Proper installation and maintenance of HVAC systems

34

and regular inspection and cleaning of air ducts can therefore be counted as an important element in your programme of keeping the air you breathe clean.

According to the US Environmental Progarame Agency (EPA), if the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing are not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust,

July-Aug ’14

pollen or other debris.

If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the living space.

The agency further notes that some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.

Besides ensuring good indoor air quality, another benefit of air duct cleaning at regular intervals is that the exercise may add years to the life of HVAC systems and help you save energy.

According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) in the US contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use.

“When an HVAC system is clean, it does not have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire.

As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness,” NADCA added.

When to Clean Up the Ducts?

Like all services, hiring professionals to decontaminate the ducts in your HVAC systems involves cost. But it is not always easy to decide when it is time to get the ducts cleaned because it is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris.

Air ducts should be cleaned if you can see substantial mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal)

July-Aug ’14

ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.

However, it should be noted that many parts of HVAC system may not be accessible for you to directly see mold growth; so you may have to depend on professional inspection.

Moreover, duct cleaning, although important in such conditions, may not put an end to the indoor air quality problems because unless efforts are taken to tackle the conditions that led to mold growth are taken, contamination in the ducts may recur soon.

Secondly, one should not delay duct cleaning if they notice that ducts are infested with rodents, insects, etc.

If you find the amount of dust and debris and/or particles clogging the ducts to be so excessive that you can see them released into the home from your supply registers, postponing duct cleaning may not be an option.

The EPA suggests that if there is no problem of allergy or unexplained symptoms or illnesses in the concerned area and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odour or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary.

Once you decide to go for duct cleaning, finding the qualified service provider may the next big challenge “If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so,” the EPA noted.

Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, rendering no benefits from the exercise.

35

IAQ

Preventing Duct Contamination Following a good pre ventive maintenance programme c an minimise duct contamination and save a lot of operational costs incurred on frequent duct cleaning.

To prevent dirt from entering the system the EPA suggests the following measures: • To prevent dirt from entering

the system use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system. Change filters regularly. If your filters become c l o g g e d , c h a n g e t h e m m o re frequently. Be sure you do not have any missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder.

• When having your heating

and cooling system maintained or checked for other reasons, be sure to ask the service provider to clean cooling coils and drain pans.

• D uring construction or renovation work that produces dust, seal off supply and return registers and do not operate the heating and cooling system until after cleaning up dust.

• Remove dust and vacuum from the living area regularly. (Use a high efficiency vacuum (HEPA) cleaner or the highest efficiency filter bags.

Vacuuming can increase the amount of dust in the air during and after vacuuming as well as in your ducts).

• If your heating system includes

What to Expect From the Duct Cleaners

T

o ensure that your HVAC system gets a through treatment, some measures that service providers can take are: • Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.

• Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestoscontaining materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.

• Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home.

• Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.

• Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.

• Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass.

(Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)

• Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.

Source: EPA

36

in-duct humidification equipment, be sure to operate and maintain the humidifier strictly.

• Prevent ducts from becoming wet. Moisture should not be present in ducts. Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in air ducts.

It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present at homes, offices or other facilities. Pollutants that enter indoors both from outdoor and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts.

So while attending to the details like cleaning air ducts cannot be avoided, losing sight of the larger picture of indoor air quality can be quite risky. 

July-Aug ’14

July-Aug ’14

37

PRODUC T P R E V I E W

ART AND GLORY

FOR FLAWLESS FLOORS

E

B

stablished in 2008, Gaurav e it marble, kota stone, mosaic Art is backed by a rich or PVC, keeping your floor industry experience of six years stain-free and sparkling clean in the domain of manufacturing & has now become a lot easier as supplying an assortment of wooden Quartz Home Care has come up easel stands, wooden with a cutting edge floor polish painting frames & system – Q1, Q 2 and Q3 -- that wooden stretchers as well can protect the floor from dust as in trading of premium and wear and tear. quality acrylic primed Q1 is an extra heavy duty painting canvas in India. floor stripper for toughest The comprehensive buildups. Formulated to excel with superior wetting penetration and range of easel stands of emulsification properties, it removes old polishes, dirt and grime even Gaurav Art consists of from the pores of floors. wooden tri easel stands, table The slip resistant Q2 is a specialised emulsion floor polish and top easel stands, wooden mini sealer. It is as easy to use as one could imagine -- just spread it on easel stands, wooden studio your floor and watch it work. It also helps save lot of time by reducing easel stands, wooden sliding board stand requirement of daily maintenance. It is not only easy to apply, the (in white as well as in black)with frames, product also stays clean with its tough long lasting gloss. wooden titli easel stands and pizza trays. All Q3, the specialised neutral floor cleaner cum maintainer the products are available in number of sizes. removes the top surface dust and give a gloss to the polished Above mentioned products are made up of surface, thus maintaining the polish for longer period. fine quality German pine wood.

Quartz Home Care (I) P Ltd. Gaurav Art is engaged in manufacturing qhcindia@gmail.com, quartz@bol.net.in of its products in technologically advanced production unit and the company conducts quality check before the products are delivered to its clients. The company also manufactures the products on the basis of design and size given by the clients. The products of Gaurav Art are widely used by in the hospitality and catering sectors.

WITH Gaurav Art AUSTRALIAN TECH SUPPORT ahuja.art@gmail.com anufactured with technical support from an Australian company, Aman Cleaning Equipments Pvt Ltd has designed a new EASY-TO-RELOCATE highly efficient scrubber drier lipping the wings of flying insects that machine Aliza come uninvited to your meetings and 430E. With other business transactions has become a lot brush motor more convenient with the Silent Trap power of 500 from Catchmaster as this freestanding watt and equally plug-in unit can be easily relocated powerful to trouble spots. While its 13-watt UV vacuum motor, bulb attracts the insects, the glue board the machine is traps gives the insects a goodbye kiss. ideal for most The device is extremely lightweight and facilities as it economical. can cover 1720 Ideal of over night “clean out”, this nonSqm/hr. While toxic tool seamlessly integrates with the the capacity ambience with its discreet design. The of clean water tank is 28 litre, the tank removable grill and catch tray make maintenance and for dirty water in the 64-kg machine is cleaning easy. The bulbs can also be replaced by easily 30 litre. It has a maximum speed of 4 removing the front grill. Replacement boards simply slide kilometre per hour. through the slot on top of the unit.

Atlantic Paste & Glue Co. Inc. Aman Cleaning Equipments Pvt. Ltd. bakshin9257@gmail.com info@amancleaningequipments.com

SCRUBBER DRIER

M

FLYING INSECT TRAP

C

The information published in this section is as per the details furnished by the respective manufacturer/distributor. In any case, it does not represent the views of Hammer Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 38

July-Aug ’14

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

A D V E R T I S E R S COMPANY

PAGE NO.

I N D E X

COMPANY

PAGE NO.

AMAN CLEANING EQUIPMENTS PVT. LTD.

......................23

MIRACLEAN TOOLS PVT. LTD.

......................FIC

APPLIANCES EMPORIUM

......................17

PEST CONTROL (INDIA) PVT. LTD.

......................13

ATLANTIC PASTE & GLUE CO. INC.

......................31

QUARTZ HOME CARE (I) P LTD.

......................11

BORGHI BRUSH MACHINERY PVT. LTD.

......................05

ROOTS MULTICLEAN LTD.

......................BC

DIVERSEY INDIA PVT. LTD.

......................01

SIDDHARTH IMPEX

......................33

GRAND CHEMICAL WORKS

......................27

SUPESHINE LAUNDRY SYSTEMS PVT. LTD.

......................BIC

IFB INDUSTRIES LTD.

......................21

UNIQUE TRADING COMPANY

......................35

NAVIN POLYCON

......................06

PRODUCT PREVIEW

......................38

NUTECH JETTING EQUIPMENTS INDIA PVT. LTD.

......................GF

* BC - BACK COVER

July-Aug ’14

* GF-GATE FOLD

* FIC - FRONT INSIDE COVER

* BIC - BACK INSIDE COVER

39

INTERVIEW

‘Housekeepers ‘Housekeepers Connect With Guests, Ensure Repeat Visits’ Visits’

K

nown for implementing out of the box ideas and his ‘yes, I can!’ approach, Virendra Singh Thakuri has made his mark as the Housekeeping Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Pune Kharadi in Maharashtra within a year.

Thakuri, who brings with him over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, is passionate about serving people with a smile, and the constant focus on personalised touch and guest delight is what drives his team with momentum.

Under his leadership, the significant contribution of housekeeping has improved the overall performance of Radisson Blu Hotel Pune Kharadi this year, particularly with regards to product performance index and service performance index.

Besides his first love of ensuring utmost quality service to his guests, Thakuri likes cooking and listening to music. Excerpts from an interview with this dynamic manager follow:

How important in your opinion is housekeeping to hospitality?

One of the major operating departments in the hospitality industry is housekeeping. The consistency of service and standard through “voice of customer” plays an important role in the overall reputation of a hotel. One feels comfortable to stay in the environment which is clean and hygienic with well maintained room and public area. Hence cleanliness and hygiene factor is important for health of business clientele travelling across the globe. In fact, housekeeping department of a hotel plays a vital role in connecting with the guests, building a relationship, and ensuring a repeat visit.

What is the modus operandi of housekeeping operations at your hotel?

As a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group we strictly follow our Radisson Blu service design and our environment friendly, customer focused and technology-driven key ‘service concepts’ are unique in their styles and approaches.

The USP of our service culture is the personalised care and attention that is constantly executed for every single guest with a ‘Yes I Can!’ attitude. Our unswerving commitment to guest satisfaction has played a major role in making the property one of the most preferred hotels in the city.

40

What are the new trends in housekeeping? Please comment on the latest housekeeping scenario.

The emerging trends of modern housekeeping in today’s hospitality is all about environmentfriendly initiatives, guest preferences, tracking of guest history and past record and customising Sharmila Chand their needs forBy future stays. Also focus remains on the optimum usage of available fixed cost within the property for effective utilisation.

For example, making it right, single window, single lady rooms, event/group related meetings, etc. are the key new trends practiced in our system.

Please name any one tool which has made the operations much easy?

Usage of microfibre cloth for dusting purpose is a fantastic tool for housekeeping operation. It is a key to keeping hygiene and maintaining cleanliness.

How significant is the role of training in this area of management?

The Housekeeping Manager is responsible for organising the staff in a hotel to make sure that all the rooms are kept clean, tidy and welcoming. They supervise staff in the department and encourage effective teamwork. Housekeepers inspect the rooms and make sure that standards have been met. They record any faults or damages and make arrangements for repairs to be carried out.

Therefore recruiting and training staff plays a crucial role in this area of management. A housekeeper will demonstrate how to do a task to the set standard and expect new and existing employees to achieve the same level of competence.

Housekeeping room attendant training ensures you pay attention to the little details while performing your general duties efficiently and thoroughly.

Well trained housekeepers make guests happy.

If guests are happy, that in turn means good reviews, repeat visitors, and positive word of mouth marketing.

How does India compare with the international scenario with regards to housekeeping?

With the advancement of technology and modern equipment, India is not very far behind when compared with the international circuit. The hygiene and cleaning industry carries the same impact on the guest satisfaction index. The perfect combination of smiling people and functioning

product with a “caring spirit” and a “service from the heart” culture leaves every resident with a lasting legacy. The challenges are more on the attrition in the Indian market. However, with the upward rising trend of hospitality industry in Indian economy with its expansion plans, there are more opportunities lined up for future.

What elements do you take into account in recruiting staff in housekeeping department?

Before recruiting a candidate, we carry out a proper career study of the candidate and reference check. We look for three basic qualities like family and personal background, skill factor and a positive attitude. They must possess a pleasing personality, willingness to learn and must be hands on at the operational front.

What is the role of the housekeeping staff in the context of security?

Housekeeping staff has free access to every guest room. Their honesty and sincerity is important. In some areas like guest rooms and corridors they are the only source of security who keeps caution about strangers moving around. As part of the training, they are educated to follow the procedures of safety and security of guests, hotel property and employees with utmost integrity and work ethics.

What are the challenges you have to face in your job responsibilities?

Understanding the need of a guest and setting up things accordingly is the biggest challenge that housekeeping department faces on a daily basis. Besides, housekeeping professionals are expected to perform well on the parameters of job responsibility without fail; this some may find a tad too demanding.

In addition to this, maintaining staff turnover, while being a challenge, is something which we are constantly working on.

Another challenge in this profession is the retention of the right talent due to increasingly high attrition in the current generation. The lack of trained people and constant change of the operating team makes the task more difficult to accomplish.

July-Aug ’14

Regd. No. R.N. DELENG/2001/7213

July-Aug ’14

41