Clean & Hygiene Review ( July-August 2015)

July-Aug’15 VOL. XV No. 4 ` 90

REVIEW BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR CLEANING AND HOUSEKEEPING PROFESSIONAL

Business Sanitizing Water Storage Tanks

Pest Management Mosquito Menace

Laundry The Case for In-house Laundry

Waste Management Waste Management in Buildings

HRD Searching for Hands

IAQ Fruits of Fragrance

HOW TO MAKE YOUR SPA SPECIAL ®

MEMBER

The Experts on Cleaning and Maintenance

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publication

May-June ’15

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July-Aug ’15

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Publisher cum Editor Rajneesh Sharma Resident Editor Sharmila Chand (Delhi) Ashok Malkani (Mumbai) Layout & Design Hari Kumar. V Dev Kumar Production Assistant Mamta Sharma Advertising Sales Delhi: Debabrata 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. 206, Samrat Bhawan, Ranjeet Nagar Commercial Complex, New Delhi-110008 Phone: 91-11-45084903, 45093486, 25704103 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: info@hammer.co.in © 2015 Hammer Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

ighlighting the importance of housekeeping, a new study that appeared in the International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, has found that scent is a more important factor than the hotel’s infrastructure, its food, and the behavior of staff so far as building guest satisfaction and loyalty is concerned.

Shuvam Chatterjee of the Regent Education & Research Foundation surveyed guests at the ITC Sonar Luxury Hotels in Kolkata, and found that more than 41 percent of guests agreed that scent is a key factor in the enjoyment of their hotel stay.

“Scent makes a brand identity more unique, strengthens customer loyalty and adds to the perception of quality, an element that is essential to every brand in today’s competitive market,” Chatterjee said.

Previous studies have claimed that people remember 35 percent of what they smell, compared with only five percent of what they see, two percent of what they hear and one percent of what they touch.

Thus the indications are clear. Trying to make a mark in the hospitality business without paying adequate attention to hygiene is next to impossible.

The Cover Story in this issue of the magazine, which is a continuation of the spa series from the previous issue, only confirms this.

As a spa owner, the top priority, along with increasing sales and expanding your business, should be to maintain high standards of cleanliness among all areas of your spa, including the floors, the bathroom, countertops, and all spa equipment. Spa cleaning is an absolute necessity if one wants to maintain a hygienic and safe spa bath. A dirty bath can become a major health risk as it becomes a haven for bacterial agents.

The health risk of unsanitary spa conditions were discussed in detail in the first part of this series. But how best to achieve spa hygiene – what are the cleaning chemicals to be used and how frequently the cleaning regimen to be conducted – are discussed in detail in the current issue.

The Business Story delves into the niche segment of water storage tank cleaning. It highlights that there is now growing recognition of the fact that the tanks that store the drinking water can also act as an agent to contaminate water and spread diseases. With awareness about dirty water tanks being habitat of various harmful bacteria and other contaminants increasing, the demand for storage tanks’ cleaners is on the rise and this provides opportunity for entrepreneurs, with low investment capacity.

Dissecting the cleanliness index released by Ministry of Urban Development, the report of this issue highlights that the cities of the north India has much to learn from those in the south.

I am sure other regular features and news updates of this issue will also add to your food for thought.

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.

Annual Subscription rate within India is Rs. 450 and overseas US $110, for surface mail. Single issue is available for Rs.90 in India and US $25 overseas. Cheques are payable to Hammer Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

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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July-Aug ’15

Contents COVER STORY

PEST MANAGEMENT

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8 How to Make Your Spa Special hile the first part of this spa series published in the previous W issue of this magazine underscored the role of hygiene in making a spa successful, this second and concluding part of

Mosquito Menace Beware of Dengue and Chikungunya

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the series discusses the ways to achieving it

s there are no vaccines to prevent these two deadly diseases, the most effective control measures are those that reduce the number of mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites

BUSINESS

LAUNDRY

24 14 Sanitizing Water Storage Tanks

The Case for In-House Laundry

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ith awareness about dirty water tanks being habitat of various harmful bacteria and other contaminants increasing, the demand for cleaning services for water storage tanks is also rising

SECTIONS 4

News Scan

etting up an in-house laundry may not be as expensive as it is often made out to be and the benefits of having an on-premise laundry are many including extensive control over the cleaning process

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Health & Safety

32 HRD

6 Report

34 IAQ

18 Cleaning

38

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40 Interview

Waste Management

July-Aug ’15

Product Preview

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Spray to sanitize toilet seat in a jiffy

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o you often refrain from using public toilet for fear of contracting some diseases? Now an easy-to-carry toilet seat sanitizer spray that reduces risk of cross contamination can put aside all such fears.

SafetyKart.com, an online portal that deals with safety and health care related products and propagates protection and prevention has recently introduced a unique toilet seat sanitizer spray called Pee Safe.

Pee Safe is a toilet seat sanitizer spray that cleanses, deodorizes, sanitizes the toilet seat and ensures protection against 99.9 percent of diseases like urinary tract infection (UTI) or diarrhea to name a few, that are caused by germs and bacteria commonly found in public restrooms, said a statement released by SafetyKart.

This spray sanitizes the area within five seconds of application, the statement added.

The fragrance of the sanitizer deodorizes the surrounding areas, thus eliminating foul odor found in most public toilets.

The Pee Safe spray bottles can be conveniently kept in your purse or your bags. This product is currently available only in mint fragrance. It is available in the form of a spray as well as wipes.

Scents enhance guest experience

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s far as guest satisfaction in a hotel is concerned, scent is a more important factor than the hotel’s “infrastructure”, its food, and the behavior of staff, says a study.

Shuvam Chatterjee of the Regent Education & Research Foundation surveyed guests at the ITC Sonar Luxury Hotels in Kolkata, and found that more than 41 percent of guests agreed that scent is a key factor in the enjoyment of their hotel stay.

The findings highlight how important role housekeeping plays in building guest satisfaction.

“Scent makes a brand identity more unique, strengthens customer loyalty and adds to the perception of quality, an element that is essential to every brand in today’s competitive market,” Chatterjee said.

Previous studies have claimed that people remember 35 percent of what they smell, compared with only five percent of what they see, two percent of what they hear and one percent of what they touch.

Chatterjee suggests that olfactory branding is a critical part of marketing and could set any one hotel ahead of its rivals.

Intriguingly, the top ten “happy” smells are as follows: freshly baked bread, clean bed sheets, freshly mown grass, fresh flowers, freshly ground coffee, fresh air after rainfall, vanilla, chocolate, fish and chips, and bacon frying, according to earlier surveys.

Chatterjee explains how the Indian tourism and hospitality industry has emerged as one of the key industries driving the growth of the service sector.

Moreover, while international tourism has increased, there is a huge, and growing domestic market, with some 30 million internal travelers each year. Obviously, hotels play an important role in this industry.

The findings appeared in the International Journal of Trade and Global Markets.

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July-Aug ’15

NE W S SCAN

‘Green skyscrapers will fight climate change’

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new generation of green skyscrapers could help alleviate worldwide climate change, an urban planner has written in a new book titled “Eco-Towers: Sustainable Cities in the Sky” that describes groundbreaking designs and built projects around the world, with 250 color photographs and drawings.

The book explores seawater-powered air conditioning, large-scale recycling of gray and black water, helical wind turbines and sunlight-sensing LED lights.

As architects design taller buildings that serve more people and demand more from the environment and infrastructure, any improvement in their design and construction will benefit cities, said author Kheir Al-Kodmany, professor of urban planning and policy at University of Illinois at Chicago, US. “A tall building is an integral piece of the city infrastructure,” he said in a

Credit: Sketch by Professor Kheir Al-Kodmany

University of Illinois at Chicago release.

“The true green skyscraper is one that forms symbiotic relationships with the social, economic, environmental and transportation aspects of its urban context,” Al-Kodmany noted.

Al-Kodmany said eco-towers are likely to prevail despite questions about

marketability and regulation because they respond to a growing urban population.

“Increasing demand will shape the future,” he said. “Ultimately, the ecotower that embraces the technology of an era, local culture and the environment while being cost-effective will set the path.”

“The long life-cycle of a skyscraper justifies the initial cost of green features, whether they are incorporated into new buildings or retrofitted into old ones,” Al-Kodmany said.

According to him, new materials and technologies that will make eco-towers more prevalent are: compressed, fireresistant hardwoods in buildings as tall as 30 stories, UltraRope elevator cables that are stronger yet lighter to increase speed and reduce energy use, and heliostats — computerized mirrors that maximize reflected light.

New air filter purifies cigarette smoke quickly

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ne w air c leaning equipment developed by Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) can purify major harmful substances of cigarette smoke within one hour in a 30 square meter smoking room, where 10 people are simultaneously smoking.

The research team led by Dr. Jongsoo Jurng and Dr. Gwi-Nam at KIST stated that the filter is coated with a manganese oxide-based nano-catalyst The device removes 100 percent of the particle substances of cigarette smoke, such as nicotine and tar, converting those into water vapor and carbon dioxide.

According to the research team, the air cleaning equipment based on the newly-developed catalyst can purify over 80 percent of the cigarette smoke within 30 minutes and 100 percent of it within one hour in a 30 square meter smoking room, where 10 people are simultaneously smoking Activated charcoal-based filters

July-Aug ’15

have been mostly used in a smoking room to remove gaseous materials in cigarette smoke. However, those filters are not effective in removing gaseous materials such as acetaldehyde. Their absorption performance decreases fast in a closed facility such as a smoking room, and they need to be replaced at least every other week, which is rather inconvenient.

The research team has developed a

more effective nano-catalyst filter by evenly coating a manganese oxide-based nano-catalyst powder onto a ceramicbased filter media.

The research team believes that it would take a year or so to commercialize this technology as the nano-catalyst and the filter coating technologies had been developed already.

“This research holds a significance since the ne w air c leaning equipment based on a simple catalyst successfully processes and removes gaseous materials in cigarette smoke, which are not easily removed with the existing air cleaning technologies. If the new equipment can be simplified and is economically feasible, it will be an important tool for keeping smoking room pleasant and clean,” lead researcher Dr. Jurng said.

“Also, from the convergence perspective, the new nanometer catalyst filter can be integrated with other air cleaning products such as air purifiers and air conditioners,” Jurng pointed out.

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REP ORT

Bengaluru has emerged as the cleanest capital city in India

Mysore is India’s

Cleanest City

While Bengaluru has emerged as the cleanest capital, Patna places itself in the bottom of the cleanliness index of the capital cities

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n terms of cleanliness and sanitation, the cities in India’s South have fared better than those in the North, reveals the latest cleanliness index released by Ministry of Urban Development.

Mysore city in Karnataka has topped the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) rankings of 476 cities in the country with three more from the State figuring in the top 10.

management practices.

The Swachh Bharat Mission, the government’s flagship cleanliness project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014, aims to clean up the country’s 4,041 statutory cities and towns over the next five years.

This survey conducted during 2014-15 was commissioned by the Ministry of Urban Development as required under the National Sanitation Policy of 2008.

In the survey, 39 cities from the Southern states are ranked among the top 100 followed by 27 from the

West Bengal does well with 25 cities/towns from the State finding a place in the top 100 cities.

These rankin.8gs are based on the extent of open defecation and solid waste management practices in these cities. The city of Mysore leads the cities with minimal open defecation and extensive adoption of solid waste

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July-Aug ’15

R EPO RT Cleanliness Ranking of Capital Cities S.No

Capital City

Swachh Bharat Rank

1

Bengaluru

7

2

Thiruvananthapuram

8

3

Gangtok

10

4

New Delhi Municipal Council

16

5

Chandigarh

21

6

Puducherry

23

7

Agartala

32

8

Port Blair

34

9

Aizawl

35

10

Guwahati

51

11

Kolkata

56

12 13 14 15

Chennai Dimapur Imphal Shimla

61 76 83 90

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Bhopal Shillong Greater Mumbai Srinagar Lucknow Ranchi Hyderabad

106 120 140 152 220 223 275

23

Raipur

293

24

Gandhinagar

310

25

Bhubaneswar

331

26 27 28

Dehradun Jaipur Patna

360 370 429

(Rajasthan), Bulandshahar (UP), Neemuch (MP), Rewari(Haryana), Hindaun (Rajasthan) and Sambalpur in Odisha at 467th rank.

All the 476 Class-1 cities in 31 States and Union Territories, each with a population of above one lakh were surveyed for assessing total sanitation practices covering a set of parameters including the extent of open defecation, solid waste management, septage management, waste water treatment, drinking water quality, surface water quality of water bodies and mortality due to water born diseases etc.

Since the Swachh Bharat Mission is being implemented in urban areas with focus on construction of individual household, community and public toilets to eradicate open defecation and ensure door-to-door

July-Aug ’15

collection and disposal of municipal solid waste, all the 476 Class-1 cities have been ranked based on the data pertaining to these elements from out of the date generated in the survey.

This helps in assessing the present situation in these cities so that they can undertake necessary inter ventions to meet Swachh Bharat Mission targets in urban areas.

Over all sanitation rankings of these cities based on a total of 100 marks assigned to different parameters covering all aspects would be announced later. The Swachh Bharat rankings are based on a total of 42 marks including 20 for open defecation indicators and 22 for solid waste management indicators.

East, 15 from the West, 12 from the North and seven from the NorthEastern States.

Of the capital cities surveyed, 15 figured among the top 100 performers while five were ranked beyond 300.

Bengaluru leads the list of capitals at 7th rank while Patna came at the bottom at 429.

Among the bottom 100 cities, 74 are from the North, 21 from the East, thre from the West and two from the South.

The top 10 ranked cities are: Mysore, Thiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), Navi Mumbai, Kochi (Kerala), Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru from Karnataka, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Halisahar ( West Bengal) and Gangtok (Sikkim) in that order.

Damoh (Madhya Pradesh) came at the bottom of 476, preceded by Bhind (MP), Palwal and Bhiwani, both in Haryana, Chittaurgarh

Cleanliness Ranking of Other Major Cities S.no

City

Swachh Bharat Rank

1 2

Mangalore Madurai

11 20

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Jalandhar Pune Kozhikode Surat Ahmedabad Jamshedpur Anantnag Darjeeling Tirupati Agra Secunderabad Coimbattore Visakhapatnam Raibareilly Kanpur Nagpur Vijayawada Cuttack Puri Ujjain Ludhiana Allahabad Gwalior Ajmer Udaipur Varanasi Jammu Amritsar

28 31 41 63 79 109 115 129 137 145 191 196 205 240 241 256 266 296 298 355 381 383 400 401 417 418 427 430

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COVER STORY

How to Make Your

Spa Special While the first part of this spa series published in the previous issue of this magazine underscored the role of hygiene in making a spa successful, this second and concluding part of the series discusses the ways to achieving it

By Ashok Malkani

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July-Aug ’15

COVER STORY

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common concern among spa-goers is the condition and cleanliness of the spa they frequent. As a spa owner, the top priority, along with increasing sales and expanding your business, should be to maintain high standards of cleanliness among all areas of your spa, including the floors, the bathroom, countertops, and all spa equipment. Spa cleaning is an absolute necessity if one wants to maintain a hygienic and safe spa bath. A dirty bath can become a major health risk as it becomes a haven for bacterial agents.

The health risk of unsanitary spa conditions were discussed in detail in the first part of this series. But how best to achieve spa hygiene – what are the cleaning chemicals to be used and how frequently the cleaning regimen to be conducted – are discussed in detail here.

Know Your Cleaning Agents Various kinds of spa chemicals

July-Aug ’15

are essential in maintaining water sanitation. Right amount of these sanitizers can break down the unwanted microbes. The oldest of these common cleaning chemicals is chlorine. On the other hand, many people really hate the strong smell of this particular chemical and even get allergic to it. So as an alternative, you can use bromine.

Bromine is good for water with high temperature. Its function is just the same as that of chlorine although it is easier to use and also odorless. Biguanide is another type of spa chemical that eradicates bacteria by beating up the cell wall. It contains neither chlorine nor bromine. It functions with an oxidizer which is hydrogen peroxide-based.

A spa pool can undoubtedly work for a longer period of time if its parts are maintained on a regular basis. One of the most important things that must be maintained is a spa filter. Taking care of the filter cartridges increases the life of your spa.

Staff can also be a valuable factor in keeping the spa sanitary as much as sanitized equipment and the regularity of carrying out

Steps to Maintain Spa Hygiene For running a successful spa proper sanitization is non-negotiable. So what are the steps being taken by some of the spas to attain high degree of sanitization and cleanliness?

Husnavaz Dastur

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COVER STORY the cleaning services.

Manish Jaswal, Director of Spa, Spa by JW at JW Marriott Hotel, Bengaluru explained, “After every treatment, the cloakroom is completely sanitized which includes sanitizing the dispensers, scrubbing and cleaning of the walls of the washroom to eradicate any stains from the essential oils and products used during the treatment. Additionally, we use disposable garments and bed sheets for all treatments, the towels are replaced and the amenities are replenished.

“The spa is completely sanitized and fumigation is carried out every week. Every alternate day, the floors and walls are cleaned as well (wood buffing, marble polishing, etc.)” Jaswal noted.

Husnavaz Dastur, Spa Manager, Club Renaissance at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel

Sonia Banerjee

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the spa.

Sonia Banerjee, Executive Housekeeper, Bengaluru Marriott Whitefield stated, “The Spa goes through a thorough c leaning process twice a day with regular concise cleaning post every single treatment in addition to the same.

Two attendants are available at all times who are responsible for the sanitation of the spa and the gym.”

Zorem Siami elaborated, “We use sterilization process and disposable equipment and amenities for our guests.”

In spas, following strict sterilization and disinfection techniques is important for the clients. Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life (bacteria spores, fungi and viruses) by heat (steam or hot air), chemical sterilant or gas.

Moncy Joy, Spa Manager, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa declared that they adopt the following methods to keep the spa clean and hygienic: • Daily cleaning of the area is done, keeping the area clean and dry after every guest using the facility.

Besides this, the deep cleaning with scrubbing machine is done at the end of each day.

• Treatment rooms are cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day, besides cleaning after each treatment.

• Pest control is done, in all the areas, every night before closing

Periodicity of Cleaning Spa Since sanitization is such an important aspect there is a necessity for knowing how often the spa is sanitized and cleaned.

Zorem Siami, Spa Manager, Hyatt Spa, Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar, averred, “Spa area is cleaned twice a day. Early morning we make sure that spa rooms are well moped and sanitized. Later in afternoon a person will do the vacuuming of each and every part of the spa. And late in the night there is a proper process to maintain the spa as per our standard.”

Joy from Goa Marriott Resort & Spa is very particular about sanitization and sterilization.

“We observe stringent rules about sanitization. This is done after each treatment. It is a must since there are a variety of oils / packs / scrubs used in any treatment,” he said.

Jaswal from JW Marriott Hotel, Bengaluru, said, “The treatment rooms and spa are cleaned regularly depending on the requirement and need.”

Banerjee too adopts the same

July-Aug ’15

COVER STORY

tactics. She said,” Massage Rooms are sanitized after every treatment on a regular basis.”

At Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre sanitization is done every shift. “The massage rooms are through cleaned post every massage,” Dastur pointed out.

Disinfecting & Cleaning the Spa Almost all spa managers agree that proper steps must be taken to ensure that the spas are kept clean and sanitized in order to prevent

Manish Jaiswal

July-Aug ’15

any harm to the clients.

The following steps are prescribed for different sections of the spas.

Fo r d i s i n f e c t i n g p e d i c u r e f o o t s p a e q u i pm e n t , t h e U S Environmental Protection Agency recommends: After each client (1) Drain the water from the foot spa basin or bowl and remove any visible debris (2) Clean the surfaces of the foot spa with soap or detergent, rinse with clean water, and drain (3) After cleaning, disinfect* the surfaces with a hospital disinfectant.

Surfaces must remain wet with the disinfectant for at least 10 minutes {* For whirlpool foot spas, air-jet basins, “pipe-less” foot spas, and other circulating spas: It is best to disinfect by filling the basin with clean water, adding the appropriate amount of liquid disinfectant and turning the unit on to circulate the disinfectant for the entire contact time.} (4) After disinfection, drain and rinse with clean water As far a Jacuzzi bath tubs are concerned, most of the manufacturers have a cleaning

manual which can be followed.

Different spas use different implements and cleaners to keep the spa clean and hygienic.

Jaswal stated that at the Spa by JW at Bengaluru “We have our audit levels and these are followed stringently to ensure the hygiene of the spa. The implements and the chemicals and products used are as per the guidelines of the company.

The cleaners used are eco-friendly and as per the guidelines set by Marriott International and Spa by JW worldwide.”

Dastur averred “At the Club

Moncy Joy

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COVER STORY Renaissance at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, we use professional sterilizing machines for salon equipment’s.

We also use sanitizer’s and special wipes for sanitizing the spa. As far as cleaners are concerned, Marriott has a worldwide tieu p w i t h re n ow n e d c h e m i c a l companies like Ecolab and Johnson Diversy. These companies have eco-friendly products which are certified internationally.”

Joy pointed out that at the Spa at Goa Marriott Resort regular housekeeping equipment and materials are used. “As far as cleaners are concerned, we use Ecolab products.”

Zorem disclosed that at the Spa at the Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar, “We use the following implements to clean & sanitize the spa: Dry mop, Wet mop, Vaccum, Taski. As

far as cleaners are concerned we use Dettol as an eco friendly cleaner to clean the spa on a daily basis.”

Banerjee declared that at the spa at Bengaluru Marriott Whitefield “we use Johnson Diversely

chemicals which are eco-friendly chemicals”.

Thus it is observed that the spas, particularly those in star hotels, observe stringent standards of hygiene in their premises. n

How to keep spa rooms’ safety and hygiene Treatment rooms need to be clean, safe, and sanitary at all times. For this you must observe this regimen: • Covered and lined trash baskets – dispose of temporary waste materials, including but not limited to: single use items, paper, tissues, etc. Trash must be emptied at the close of each day.

• Floors – sweep daily to remove the loose debris, dust, etc. from the environment.

• Steam showers – spray the floors, walls, doors, railings, faucet, etc. with Citrus II, wipe with wet cloth, rinse with water, and wipe dry with towel.

• Smooth, hard surfaces such as countertops, sinks, fixtures, equipment, treatment tables, etc. – spray with Citrus II to disinfect.

• Candles – tea lights: must be lit in glass containers, regular candles: must be kept on a non-flammable coaster.

Make sure the candles are extinguished before leaving the room.

lancets, fabric strips, orange sticks, and porous nail files and buffing blocks contaminated by broken skin, should be disposed off.

Multi-Use (Non-cloth) Items: Manicure and pedicure items must be disinfected after each use. Skin care, waxing and other miscellaneous items must be disinfected after each use.

Skin care, waxing and other miscellaneous items included but not limited to tweezers, extractors, scissors, spatulas, combs and facial brushes – must be disinfected after each use.

Implements/Equipment Cleaning Procedure Single Use Items: Dispose of items like tissues, gauze pads, cotton balls, cotton swabs, cotton sponges, disposable gloves, and disposable wipes. It is advised that even items like wooden applicators,

Multi-Use Cloth Items Items constructed of fabric materials typically for use on more than one client must be laundered and disinfected after each use.

Facial sponges are susceptible to

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Linens Treatment table, pillows and headrest must be covered with fresh, clean sheets, face cradles, or towels at the beginning of each treatment and between each client.

Soiled linens must be removed from the treatment room immediately following each service and kept in a covered hamper.

bacteria and germs. You need to be careful before their next use. Because they are so dense, microbes can survive in the sponge’s tight pores even after thorough disinfection and boiling. Since the sponges are reused, they must be laundered using bleach or other powerful bactericide to disinfect the wash water.

Product Application Product bottles and jars used in conjunction with your physical contact work must be disinfected daily.

Equipment: Basic pedicure tubs, without whirlpool jets and tubing, can be cleaned thus: • Drain the basin and remove any visible debris.

• Scrub the bowl with a clean brush and Mixxocydan or soap. Rinse and drain.

• Disinfect basin surfaces with Citrus and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Surfaces must remain wet with the disinfectant for 10 minutes or the contact time stated on the label.

• Drain the basin, rinse with clean water and let air dry.

Source: http://www.bellaninainstitute. com/

July-Aug ’15

July-Aug ’15

13

BUSINESS

Sanitizing Water

Storage Tanks

With awareness about dirty water tanks being habitat of various harmful bacteria and other contaminants increasing, the demand for cleaning services for water storage tanks is also rising

By Ashok Malkani

E

very age brings with it new challenges and opportunities.

And even as urbanization makes it easier to get access to water, especially in areas where clean drinking water is supplied through government agencies, there is now growing recognition of the fact that the tanks that store the drinking water can also act as an agent to contaminate water and spread diseases. With awareness about dirty water tanks being habitat of various harmful bacteria and other contaminants increasing, the

14

demand for cleaning services for water storage tanks is also rising.

However, until a few years ago, few people thought about venturing into business of water tank cleaning.

There are a number of reasons why it took so long for this business to take off in India. A lot of people used to believe, and many even now, that cleaning water tanks required no specific competence and manual cleaning was enough to sanitize the tanks. So the housing societies, temples or gurdwaras or even many players in the hospitality industry,

used to utilize the services of local youth or untrained staff who may or may not have any knowledge or experience of water tank cleaning.

And were they doing a good job?

Certainly not, if we just look into how TanClean, a 4.5 crore water tank cleaning business with over 200 entrepreneurs in its fold, came into existence in early 2000.

Founded by Sunil Uplap, a mechanical engineer by qualification, the idea to start a professional water tank cleaning business struck him after he saw a bunch of filthy looking

July-Aug ’15

B U S I NESS guys, dressed almost in tatters, stinking of alcohol and chewing tobacco getting inside a drinking water tank of a housing society in an up-market locale of Pune to clean the tank.

To his utter shock and disbelief the guys who were supposed to clean the tank spat inside it! Uplap saw an opportunity in this ghastly sight and started his own venture with the promise of providing a professional and scientific approach to cleaning water storage tanks.

Over the years, TanClean alone has built up a network of over 200 entrepreneurs who are engaged in tank cleaning services across the country, a figure that amply highlights the growing demand for such services. There are several other players including Chhattisgarhbased FASTCLEAN India founded

by Manoj Agarwal that have made a mark in this area.

However, water tank cleaning business space is far from congested and if you too are looking to start a venture of your own with low investment, this could be for you.

Why Tank Cleaning?

Water contamination is one of the major causes of illness among people. About 60 per cent of the diseases are caused by contaminated

July-Aug ’15

water among adults as well as children. Water storage tank is one of the major causes for the production of contaminated water. This is because cleaning of these tanks is generally neglected or unskilled people are engaged for the cleaning process.

Since water is used for various household purposes, it is very essential that the water input is clean and well maintained in order to avoid water borne diseases.

Tank cleaning business is about providing safe and scientific solution for cleaning and disinfecting storage water tanks. The process involves professional cleaning of tanks using appropriate equipment and antibacterial agents.

“When I started TanClean, tank cleaning was an unorganized process done manually. I started the business with a strong realization that these services can be professionalized using modern procedure and equipments,” Uplap said.

Tank Cleaning can be set up in four verticals: residential, commercial, industrial or government set ups.

A start up can start with one or all verticals.

According to Uplap, one can start tank cleaning business with an initial capital of around 1.5 lakh. This is majorly invested on a computer,

telephone and equipments. This is apart from the hiring cost of 3 -4 operators.

The demand for tank cleaning services is concentrated in the urban areas. So profitability depends upon the area of operation. However it may take about 6 months to break even.

But for entering into this business, as for starting any business, you must have a basic knowledge about the subject.

The first step to properly maintain your water system is to know what you have in the bottom of the tank.

Few of the major sources of water contamination are the fill pipes and the tank vents. Most of the tank vents are loose and not screened which makes it easier for the insects to get into the tank. This further leads to the growth of airborne bacteria.

U n d e r c e r t a i n c on d i t i on s , deposits of microscopic organisms (“biofilm”) and inorganic residue such as iron and manganese oxides collect on the interior surfaces of the potable water storage tanks. These types of deposits cannot be cleaned with non-chemical, high-pressure washing alone, and can lead to taste and odor complaints. There are cleaning chemicals which will effectively remove these harmful deposits.

Method of Cleaning Tanks Here are steps that are normally undertaken to clean the storage tanks: Drain out the water: drain all the previous water from the tank.

You can make use of a suction pipe or a tap to drain out all the water.

It is quite difficult to remove all the water and the residues in the end, so it is better that you use a sponge or a soft cloth which can absorb the water and the dirt easily.

Scrub the internal surface: Once the water is completely drained out, you have to start the scrubbing procedure. Make use of a stiff brush a sweeper or a high pressure jet to scrub the walls and the rest of the areas inside the water tank. Use a mixture of detergent and hot water to scrub the internal parts. You can

15

BUS INESS

Common diseases transmitted through contaminated drinking water Bacteria Bacteria

Disease Typhoid fever

Cholera

Bacterial Dysentery Enteritis Viruses

Infectious hepatitis

Parasitic protozoa

Amoebic dysentery

Giardiasis Parasitic worms

Schistosomiasis

also scrub the internal parts of the tank without entering it by using a long pole with an attached brush.

Sanitation: One of the best ways of sanitizing your water tank is to regularly bleach the tank with Clorox bleach. This bleach has 5.25% active ingredients and the amount of bleach required to clean the water tank is 1part per million (ppm).The usage of bleach will give

16

Effects Diarrhoea, sever vomiting, swelling of the spleen, inflamation of the intestine; often fatal if untreated Diarrhoea, severe dehydration; often untreated

vomiting, fatal if

Diarrhoea; rarely fatal except In infants without proper treatment Severe stomach pain , nausea, vomiting; rarely fatal Severe fever, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice inflammation of the liver; rarely fatal but may cause permanent liver damage Severe diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, chills, fever; if not treated can cause liver abscess, bowel perforation and death Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, belching, fatigue Abdominal pain, skin rash, anaemia,chronic fatigue and chronic general ill health a slight chlorine taste and odour in your water. Avoid using too much of chlorine as this can have side effects and may potentially harm the health of users.

Volume of the tank: You need to make sure that you measure the volume of the water in the tank before you add chlorine to it.

Calculate the volume of common tank shapes and add the disinfectant to it accordingly.

Thorough cleaning: It is very important that you do a thorough cleaning of the water tank corners and ensure that no dirt or the added chemicals are left in any of the corners. If any corner of the tank has chemical deposits, make sure you wash them off as this can lead to a bad odour or bad water taste.

F lushing and washing the tank: For washing and flushing the tank, you will require a pressure hose pipe or a water jet. Continue flushing the tank till the chemicals

are vanished Uplap prescribes the following check list on the maintenance of water storage tanks: • Are the manholes and their lids maintained in good airtight condition?

• Are the manholes of the water tanks securely locked?

• Have you ensured proper sealing of the water tank near the inlet & outlet pipe lines connecting the tank?

• Air exhaust pipes, if present - are they sealed and covered with proper meshing?

• Are you periodically checking the overhead and underground tanks for leakage, seepage, or cracks on the exterior surface?

• Is the pump room clean and dry, and not used as a store room or dumping room?

• Is the area around the pump room and water tank, neat and tidy... and dry? (totally free from any garbage) “If adequate precautions are taken, one can ensure foolproof protection of the water inside the tanks,” he said.

What is more, to start your water tank cleaning business, a franchisee option is also open for you. For instance, FASTCLEAN offers to its franchisees a strong and a well tried and tested business model in the cleaning and water industry, marketing kit, training of your staff at our office, assistance in marketing and trouble shooting, assistance in printing of office stationeries, assistance in getting govt. /corporate orders, data management and data development, long lasting business relations, among other assistance.

TanClean, on the other hand, offers social entrepreneurship programme and provides training to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Whether you want to set up operations individually or want to opt for the franchise model, the choice is yours. But there is little doubt that, with the prevalent scarcity of water and the increasing necessity to have storage tanks – particularly in the urban areas – the demand for storage tank cleaning will rise. n

July-Aug ’15

July-Aug ’15

17

C LEANING

Rise of the

Contract Cleaner Contract cleaners have come of age within a decade and half and their rise is now almost unstoppable as they offer multiple benefits to owners/managers of hotels, hospitals, multiplexes, malls, corporate premises, banks or any other large property

O

nly some 15 years ago, outsourcing housekeeping services was almost unthinkable. But today it seems to be the norm in almost all types of facilities as benefits of contracting cleaning services are increasingly being realized. Even in facilities that maintain in-house housekeeping department may outsource some parts of the services that require specialised and expensive equipment.

Thus outsourcing housekeeping can help cut cost. Moreover, those who completely outsource the cleaning services find it more convenient to focus on their core competence

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i n s t e a d o f c on c e n t r a t i n g on secondary services. Another reason for the growth of contract cleaners could well be the unprecedented growth of the service sector since economic liberalization began in the early 1990s.

Earlier, corporate offices, banks, cinema houses etc. used to manage housekeeping on their own. In the 1990’s, with liberalization and rise in competitions, multinational companies with a more professional way of taking care of things set up shop in India and the playing field changed to a larger, global one.

In this large global village,

India already had a reputation for being a dirty country. It became of increasing importance to companies both multi-national and national to clean up their act and project a more sanitised image, both to the west as well as to consumers in India, who with increasing exposure were beginning to expect more. Merely having strong brand names was not enough any longer, it became important to have a strong corporate image and that image did not hold much value if the company premises were not up to the mark.

Subsequently property and facility management were recognized as

July-Aug ’15

C LE ANI NG important aspects of a company’s operations. It was also apparent from experiences abroad that it made more sense to outsource these requirements rather than spend valuable resources on noncore departments. These non-core activities, took up a substantial measure of the organization’s time and resources were a pre-requisite for the effective functioning of the business; but did not contribute directly in building the balance sheet of the company. On the other hand they do facilitate better performance in core activities and hence add value.

O utsourcing housekeeping ser vices does not mean losing control over the cleaning process altogether as signing contracts renewing them on an annual basis is the norm. This also gives the company the option of terminating the services of the contractor if it is not satisfied. However, experts warn that frequently changing contractors is not a good idea as such changes put the property at increased risk of damage in the long run. Therefore it is important to be very careful while selecting the cleaning contractor in the very first place.

Depending on the agreement between the contractor and the institution involved the contract may or may not include equipment / supplies required for cleaning.

Additionally, the contract may only be for certain tasks and not the cleaning of the entire property.

For example in a small 100 room hotel with large French windows, the basic housekeeping services maybe attended to by an in-house

July-Aug ’15

department, while the cleaning of the French windows maybe contracted to an external agency.

In this sort of agreement the hotel will save on the costs of purchasing specialized equipment like high reach ladders and glass cleansers for cleaning the windows while the basic room and public area cleaning is attended to by the hotel staff. In fact it is normal for hotels to only outsource the cleaning of public areas and facades while maintaining a permanent in-house department for the core areas like rooms.

The benefit of having a contract housekeeper is that one gets a result oriented, 100 per cent professional contractor taking care of housekeeping ser vices, thereby leaving the company to concentrate on the core business.

Thus outsourcing housekeeping requirements to contractors can be

a cost effective and efficient system of managing this vital department in any large property.

Cost of Contracting Although the initial cost of contracting cleaning services may seem to be high, the actual costs incurred in the long run are less. The highest cost to the company, labor, is cut down considerably. There are no salaries, provident funds, bonus to be paid to individual workers and neither are there any leaves to be sanctioned which would otherwise mean paying for non-productive man-hours. Additionally, the cost of other personnel related processes, like recruitment, training, uniforms, etc. is reduced considerably.

The cost to the company in terms of training employees is reduced as the contractor sends trained employees with specific skill sets for each task to be completed. This is especially useful for certain tasks which are not carried out on a regular basis but require specialized skill sets for which the company would normally hire one person on a full time basis.

Other costs, for equipment and supplies required for cleaning, are also reduced. Although the company may choose to purchase its cleaning supplies and basic equipment, the contract company may have its own equipment for specialized cleaning

19

C LEANING training for that particular property.

Quality Control

which would reduce the cost to company.

In some cases the cleaning company may be able to get discounts on bulk purchase of supplies, as it would be dealing with a number of clients. In such a situation depending on the contract signed the contractor may also bring supplies.

Training Training of personnel in any organization and for any task/ skill is an important and time-consuming process. It also increases cost in what is traditionally a non revenue-earning department. When housekeeping is contracted to an external party the consumption of these resources for training is reduced. The contractor would normally provide trained and adequately qualified skilled staff to complete the jobs assigned. As it is the contractor’s business to ensure that the job is done effectively and efficiently, it is his responsibility to provide trained personnel. This is particularly important for certain tasks which require specialized skills, normally for such tasks the institution would have to hire a trained person at an additional cost merely for one job. In the case of contracted housekeeping such a task would be taken care of by the contractor thus reducing this cost to the company.

In some cases the housekeeping team comes to the property fully trained and then undergoes further

20

Even as contract cleaning offers many benefits such freeing you from the burden of finding the skilled people, training them or retaining them, large part of responsibility of maintain quality still rests on you.

This is especially true if you are running a healthcare facility where lack of hygiene can be matter of life and death.

Many additional factors must be kept in mind in the context of the healthcare environment. Biomedical waste must be segregated at source as per government rules, storage of such waste is also separate, critical areas like the ICU, operation theatres, pediatric wards, etc. must be given special attention too and have specified cleaning procedures.

Ad d i t i o n a l l y, a l l c l e a n i n g schedules must be made keeping the patients comfort in mind. There must be flexibility to work around the doctors, nurses and patients needs.

Besides physically checking whether hygiene standards are maintained in you facility as promised in the contract, the human resource department must ensure that all statutory requirements are met.

Is it Worth?

In the quest to achieve strategic focus, businesses worldwide are

choosing to develop areas of core competence and shed operations that have become difficult to manage and are hampering growth. As a result, the trend towards outsourcing is gaining momentum. The contractor meets the requirements for high quality, cost-effective product supply, taking responsibility for the noncore functions of the end-user’s business. This allows the company to concentrate its energies on other areas of expertise, which are of more direct benefit to the business and the bottom line.

The trend indicates that about 50% of businesses internationally have in-house provisions to manage their facilities and there is a shift towards outsourcing these services to professional companies. Accordingly, the business of professionalized noncore activities has been growing at an average of 15 percent annually in the world and is expected to follow suit in India.

Initially housekeepers with hotel backgrounds maybe skeptical with the performance of outsourced teams and companies may feel the cost is high, but in the long run the cost of outsourcing the housekeeping department is worthwhile. A professional contractor will provide efficient services and take care of statutory requirements, leaving the company to focus on core businesses.

Thus, contract cleaning is truly coming of age. n

July-Aug ’15

P E S T M ANAG E M ENT

Mosquito Menace Beware of Dengue and Chikungunya

As there are no vaccines to prevent these two deadly diseases, the most effective control measures are those that reduce the number of mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites

W

ith the onset of monsoon, the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases go up significantly and according to an estimate the number of dengue and chikungunya cases are much higher than officially reported.

The annual number of dengue fever cases in India is 282 times higher than officially reported, and the disease inflicts an economic burden on the country of at least US$1.11 billion each year in medical

July-Aug ’15

and other expenses, according to a study by researchers at Indian Council of Medical Research’s Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and colleagues.

“We found that India had nearly 6 million annual clinically diagnosed dengue cases between 2006 and 2012--almost 300 times greater than the number of cases that had been officially reported,” said Donald Shepard, lead author of the study

and a health economics professor at Brandeis University. “Yet we believe even that number may be low because dengue reporting is better in the area we studied in the state of Tamil Nadu than in most other Indian states due to its wellestablished medical surveillance system.”

Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is a serious global public health problem, infecting 50 to 390 million

21

PES T MA N AGE ME N T

people each year in more than 100 countries and resulting in at least 20,000 deaths annually, the study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene pointed out.

Symptoms of the disease range from mild fever and joint pain to potentially fatal hemorrhaging and circulatory shock. No effective anti-viral drugs yet exist to treat the illness, and large mosquito-control efforts have thus far failed to stem the increasing incidence and spread of dengue epidemics.

India is believed to have more cases of dengue than any other country in the world, and except for a slight dip in 2011, the incidence rate has grown steadily here in recent years. In 2013, India’s National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program reported that the country had experienced an annual average of 20,474 dengue cases and 132 dengue-related deaths since 2007, but infectious disease experts believe those official numbers likely reflect only a small fraction of actual cases.

India had a major dengue outbreak in 2013, with more than 55,000 reported cases, triggered largely by the heaviest rains in two decades.

“Good data on the incidence and cost of the illness have been lacking due to gaps in how information on

22

individual cases is collected and reported,” said Narendra Arora, executive director of the INCLEN Trust International in New Delhi.

“Understanding the full extent of the economic and disease burden of dengue in India is necessary to help policymakers and public health officials prepare for and control future outbreaks of the disease,” said Brij Kishore Tyagi, senior investigator from CRME. Another study published this year in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases has found new evidence that an extremely high number of people in southern India are exposed to two mosquito-borne viruses -- dengue and chikungunya.

Chikungunya, transmitted by the same type of mosquito, is marked by fever and joint pain and other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash.

These findings, the researchers said, reinforce the need for officials to be on the lookout for these diseases and to find ways to control its spread not only in India but also around the world.

The researchers tested blood samples from 1,010 people across 50 locations in Chennai, a city with over 6 million people, and found that nearly all of them had been exposed to dengue and 44 percent had been exposed to chikungunya.

Surprisingly, almost none of the people who had been exposed to dengue reported having been infected by it, either because they weren’t properly diagnosed with the disease or because they didn’t show symptoms.

Even though dengue has been known to be present in India since the 1940s, it is only in the past few years that there is growing recognition of the magnitude of the problem.

“Our results show that the extent of the problem has been vastly underestimated,” said the study’s leader Isabel Rodriguez-Barraquer, a research associate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US. “People are just not aware of the disease. We asked participants if they

had ever been ill with dengue and only one percent of them said yes, when in fact 93 percent had been infected by it,” Rodriguez-Barraquer said.

Researchers estimated that on average, 23 percent of those who have not yet been infected become infected by dengue every year, corresponding to roughly 228,000 infections per year in Chennai alone.

“This rate of infection is extremely high, almost three times higher than in areas of Brazil and Thailand where transmission was thought to be high,” said Rodríguez-Barraquer.

They also found that the rate of infection in Chennai was similar in poor communities as in more affluent neighborhoods.

The research is believed to be the first to systematically measure dengue and chikungunya infection rates in India. “If you don’t understand the extent of the problem, you can’t address it,” she said.

There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus either. The only available control measures are those that reduce the number of mosquitoes and preventing mosquito bites. When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications and death.

July-Aug ’15

P E S T M ANAG E M ENT To control the spread of the dengue and chikungunya, some nations have actively worked to spray for virus-carrying mosquitoes and have done public health campaigns to explain the threat of the diseases, including encouraging people to cover water containers that can be mosquito breeding grounds.

Control Measures Every responsible citizen should contribute in containing this disease by simple measures that prevent breeding and multiplication of Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are intra-domestic breeders which multiply through water present in discarded plastic containers, empty cans, old-tyres, mud-pots, trays below refrigerators and in air-conditioning units, flower vases, drain trays below potted plants, overhead tanks, empty coconut shells and open cisterns where rain-water may collect. Eggs laid are attached to wet surface of container and can survive without water and can hatch after a long dry spell. The best way to prevent breeding of Aedes is

by keeping our surroundings free of discarded containers that could become a potential breeding site.

Other mosquito control measures such as anti-larval treatment and fogging against adult mosquitoes are also useful, but will have to be carried out by the Municipal Corporation or pest management companies.

Everyone can play valuable part in the public campaign to prevent spread of chikungunya and dengue by doing the following: - Changing water once weekly in flower vases and drain trays of potted plants.

• Covering overhead tank to prevent access to mosquitoes.

• Preventing indoor or outdoor water stagnation even in smallest of containers.

• Using mosquito nets at night.

• Preventing mosquito entry by keeping doors closed and windows screened.

• Using mosquito repellent on skinbecause Aedes aegypti are daybiters-during the day too.

• Not stor ing water in open containers. Covering all water

containers with lids.

• Scrubbing and cleaning margins of containers used for water (to dislodge the eggs of Aedes aegypti).

• Ensuring regular cleaning of water-tanks.

• Storing old drums or barrels inverted to prevent water accumulation.

• Ensuring children wear full sleeved and long legged clothes for protection against mosquito bites.

With inputs from Pest Control (India) Ltd. n

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July-Aug ’15

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23

LAUNDRY

The Case for

In-House Laundry Setting up an in-house laundry may not be as expensive as it is often made out to be and the benefits of having an on-premise laundry are many including extensive control over the cleaning process

A

ny establishment has the choice of availing the ser vices of commercial laundry, setting up an in-house laundry or resorting to linen hire.

While the third option is yet to catch up in India, the first two are pretty common. However, whether to go for an external service provider or to set up an on-premise laundry may depend on analysis of various factors. For example, for a health care facility for which clean linen goes much beyond the cosmetic appeal to prevent cross-contamination, the unavailability of a suitable service provider may leave the facility with no option but to set up an in-house laundry. Therefore, before taking a decision one needs to consider the pros and cons of setting up a laundry facility on the premise and outsourcing it.

Generally, hotels and especially the ones in the 5-star category have in-house laundries in order to maintain high standards of quality, cleanliness and to keep the par stocks low.

24

On the other hand, most small and medium size hotels have some other arrangement. The cost of equipment and space required to house the system are some of the reasons why they get their work done at standalone laundry or a collective laundry for that purpose. So is the case with hostels and other places, where linen and clothes need to be cleaned regularly.

Edge of In-house Laundry However, no matter how good the external laundry may be, most housekeepers dream of having their own in-house laundries for many reasons, some of which are: • It reduces dependence on others; self-sufficiency leads to increased flexibility.

• Housekeepers can set their own standards and make sure the textiles are cared for the way they should be.

• The safest way to retain full control over quality and maintain customer satisfaction is to run own in-house laundry.

• Anything less than perfection will

mean you to lose the business.

• It is a common complaint that on many occasions, linen is being returned without undergoing the entire cleaning process. Most of the times, linen out of a hotel room is visually clean and is returned after rinsing and pressing.

• In hostels and similar establishments an in-house laundry can serve the needs of inmates better.

• In medium and large hospitals, inhouse laundry ensure more hygiene and clinical cleanliness.

By having an in-house laundry, the requirement of storage space in the linen room will be reduced, as

July-Aug ’15

LAUND RY would the overall requirement for the linen inventory, which would come down by nearly 30-40 per cent, thereby contributing to the economy of laundry. This would also apply to other items like towels, table linen and uniforms.

One is unsure of the type of treatment given to clothes by outside laundries for they use stronger chemicals and acids. These chemicals in turn weaken fabrics and the quantity of discard increases.

In the in-house laundry one can choose right chemicals for higher production and longer life.

With external laundries, it will be difficult to get the kind of output required by hotel operations, like in case of back-to-back checkin a conference or a large group.

Since most of the commercial laundries cater to many commercial establishments like hotels, hospitals etc. the chances of the linen getting mixed up are most common. Even, if the hotel manages to get the same quality of linen back, there are always chances of surplus use than the piece sent.

Any housekeeper will tell that it is almost impossible to supervise the above-mentioned aspects, in case of an external laundry which may not even be cost-effective, for they charge on ‘per piece’ basis.

Cost of Care To say that an “in-house laundry” is an expensive investment may be an overstatement. In fact, it can at best be a modest investment, if the design and requirements are kept simple.

For instance, to process the room linen, it only requires a Washercum-Extractor with a Flat-Work Ironing machine. For processing bathroom linen, a Drying Tumbler needs to be added. A few hand ironing boards enable the pressing of uniforms and the guest laundry.

As a rule of thumb, one requires onze washer cum extractor of 100 Ibs. capacity to wash the room and bathroom linen of a 100 room 4-star hotel in 6 days of 8-hour shift, and which has an occupancy of 70 percent.

The flat work ironer required for processing bed linen, pillows etc. can

July-Aug ’15

be a single roll machine electrically heated with an 18” diameter roll of 110” length to process double sheets.

If single sheets are to be processed, it will reduce the cost drastically, as the length of the roller will reduce. If the establishment doesn’t have sufficient power for the Ironer, then a small Steam Boiler will be required. This boiler should be sized to handle the requirement of a Drying Tumbler to process the towels. A 50 lbs, capacity Drying Tumbler which can steam heat will be required to dry the bath towels.

The equipment and a baby steam boiler don’t require sufficient space as they could be comfortably installed in a room of approximately 400 sq ft. If it is increased to 600 sq ft and two hand ironing boards with one steam heated buck press are added, one can also process the uniforms and the guest laundry in the hotel.

For washing of guest laundry, one can buy a domestic type washer/ extractor, as it is ideal for washing smaller loads of 7-10 lbs.

In most large hotels, the in-house laundry is free of cost and the laundry department is a self-sufficient profitmaking centre. Most hotels do not go in for in-house laundries, because lack of planning generally tends to make the subject much more complicated and expensive than it needs to be. The in-house laundry investment quickly pays for itself, regardless of its size and scope.

A growing number of establishments have realised the benefits of running their own

Laundry Rules A good laundry is of great importance to any establishment, provided • The material is handled carefully.

• Tensile strength of the material is not impaired.

• White material is kept white.

• Stains are removed.

• Materials are not ruined by excessive use of bleach.

• Lists are checked carefully so that there are few ‘shorts’ • The work is carried out as speedily as possible.

• Good co-operation is maintained regarding damage and losses.

laundries. Laundries are a profitable business and offer an essential service and require minimal labour and minimal inventory, without special skills, and are an all-cash business.

Buying Equipment W hile purchasing or sourcing equipment, one should keep the following factors in mind and try to meet people who have used the machines.

• The quality of the processed linen, uniforms and guest laundry.

• How compact and bulky is the equipment, as the extent of space required will depend on this.

• What will be the efficiency and optimum production of the machine when compared to the rated capacity.

• What will be the consumption of various utilities, as there are machines available which could save a lot of energy in contrast with others.

• What will be the servicing and maintenance requirement and the frequency of breakdowns. How expensive are the spare parts?

• Whether the machine is automated or not?

• Extent of staff training to be imparted for optimum utilization of equipment.

Once these questions are answered in establishing an on-premise laundry one will find the enhanced standards of accommodation with meager cost on the management aspect, on long-term.

But despite the advantages of having an on-premise laundry, many establishments need to depend on an external laundry to meet the demand.

In such cases, it becomes necessary to visit the laundry periodically, to check the process, range of chemicals and detergents used and the quality of finish and folding. Checking the source and quality of water being used in an external laundry also help protect clothes from discoloring or damaging. n

25

WASTE M A N AGE ME N T

Building

Waste Management Waste reduction, avoidance and management can play a key role in making buildings sustainable, reducing emissions, and also provide economic benefits to owners

Z

ero waste generation is perhaps impossible to achie ve for any functioning building. But there are great benefits in reducing or avoiding waste generation that can range from better space utilization and emission reduction to energy efficiency and cut in cost meant for waste management.

And to make this happen it is important to understand how waste is generated in a commercial building in the very first place.

There are primarily two

26

By Jyotismita Sharma ways of generating wastes – through construction/ renovation and refurbishment of buildings, and though dayto-day activities during the

operational phase. Therefore a proper waste reduction strategy must start from the planning and design level itself so that needs of renovation

July-Aug ’15

WAS T E M ANAG EMENT or refurbishments can be minimized. However, the major challenges to waste management arise during the operational phase. In this regard the purchasing decisions can play an important role in reducing waste – be it electronic waste (e-waste) or other types of waste because if one has to buy or upgrade same type of equipment or tool over and over again, the amount of waste generated will also go up.

Benefits of Waste Reduction

Waste reduction, avoidance and management are key areas that one needs to focus on in order to make a building sustainable. While such a policy is aimed at making a difference to the environment

July-Aug ’15

by cutting down on the amount of toxic pollutants, waste reduction efforts also offer several social, economic and business benefits to a commercial property. Building owners who are focused on efficient waste management in the operational phase derive significant benefits in terms of building maintenance and service life.

Other benefits of waste avoidance and management for owners include cut in emission, reduced space requirements, energy efficiency, and flexibility for client.

Thus better waste management can lead to better business performance as such practices can help attract like-minded people and also

contribute to corporate social responsibility and enhanced brand image.

Moreover, a strategy focused on curbing waste generation

27

WASTE M A N AGE ME N T

can also lead to better purchase decisions and help cut cost in waste management, thereby providing additional economic benefits. In other words, before buying any product for your office building maintenance or hotel maintenance, it would be wiser to take into account what type of waste and how much of it would the product generate Then you should consider if there is a better alternative available and take the decision accordingly. Products bought after considering their waste implications may result in cost reductions. It should also be kept in mind that waste also occupies space and therefore waste reduction can lead to better space utilization.

Waste Disposal and Health

Modern healthy buildings need an efficient waste disposal and recycle system. Collection, transport, treatment and disposal of sewage from a modern building need to be designed properly, keeping in view the technologies available 28

for treatment of sewage from a building.

There is a wide range of technologies available for treatment of sewage, and one needs to choose the appropriate technology keeping in view the cost of installation and end use of recycled water from treatment plant. For example, should the recycled water be used only for irrigation and landscaping use, there is no need to go in for an expensive membrane technology for sewage treatment.

However, secondary and tertiary treatment of recycled water will be required to ensure reasonably clean water for recycling. Therefore, a consultant will need to choose appropriate technology at the planning stage itself, as sewage treatment plants will usually be required to be built along with the basements of a building.

Once the treatment technology has been chosen, the piping and other systems will be designed along with

the plumbing design, and all the stages of plumbing consultancy will need to be followed.

For other waste, like garbage etc, carriage to a common point and disposal from there needs to be planned too, although this usually involves space planning only.

A building cannot remain healthy with an improperly designed waste management system. Therefore, a role of a service consultant in this area cannot be overemphasized.

Challenge of e-Waste

In the life of almost every home appliance, there comes that moment of out with the old and in with the new.

However, while electrical and electronic equipment have never been more efficient, economical or in demand, consumers’ desire to own the best and the latest is contributing to an environmental issue of increasing seriousness and concern.

July-Aug ’15

WAS T E M ANAG EMENT “E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in developing, emerging and developed regions and it covers all electrical and electronic equipment and parts discarded by consumers,” said Dr Sunil Herat, Associate Editor of the journal Waste Management & Research and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia.

“Ac c o rd i n g to fig ure s published in the Global E-waste Monitor 2014 and compiled by the United Nations University, last year an estimated 41.8 million metric tonnes of e-waste was discarded throughout the world,” Herat pointed out.

This comprised mostly endof-life kitchen, laundry and bathroom equipment such as microwave ovens, washing machines and dishwashers, although mobile phones, computers and printers also featured, he said.

“That figure is estimated to rise by almost 20 per cent to 50 million metric tonnes in 2018, which is why waste management practitioners are seeking new technologies

July-Aug ’15

and approaches to deal with e-waste,” he noted.

He said that while the emphasis so far has been on end-of-life IT equipment such as computers and mobile phones, a focus on a broader spectrum of household e-waste is required if its growth is to be slowed.

According to him, there are significant benefits from expanding the coverage of e-waste products beyond the traditional computers, mobile phones and televisions.

These include more efficient recycling and material recovery processes and the encouraging of private sector investment in recycling and recovery technologies.

“What is certain is that the e-waste management landscape is about to transform its traditional focus on computers and mobile phones to a broader range of more sophisticated household e-waste items,” he said.

“With the exception of a few countries, most of us are about to face the reality of this latest challenge,” Herat said.

H ow e v e r, t h e b i g g e s t challenge facing e-waste policy makers is in developing

countries.

“Most developing countries do not practise waste segregation at the source,” Herat stressed.

“This means that municipal solid waste can contain up to 3 percent hazardous wastes, including e-waste. This can increase concentrations of heavy metals in leachate and contribute to environmental pollution,’ he said as he discussed e-waste at the Sixth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific, organised by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development held in the Maldives from August 16-19. n

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HEALTH& SA F E T Y

Protecting Your Workers Equipping workers properly, thoroughly training on the proper cleaning processes and detailing safety procedures will ultimately increase the morale of your workers

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n often overlooked aspect of cleaning is protecting the health and safety of the worker. With all the mopping, lifting, exposure to contaminated surfaces, and so on, reducing workrelated injuries and disease is of great importance to the cleaning industry.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), housekeeping workers are highly likely to suffer injury while performing their duties. They are ranked fifth among occupations likel y to suff er from Workrelated Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). These injuries are the result of the same group of muscles being used over and over performing awkward motions - and doing it quickly.

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Another common problem is back injury. It is the number one workplace safety problem. In fact, more than one million workers worldwide suffer from back injuries every year - 75% of those occur while lifting.

Thus, workers are very vulnerable to injury from frequent lifting. Add wet floors into the equation and the threat of injury multiplies, as do worker’s compensation claims and absenteeism.

In addition, while cleaning, workers are commonly exposed to disease transfer points and contaminated surfaces that can result in further illness and absenteeism.

you can produce a team of healthy workers, who are happier and more productive. Here are some ways to improve safety in your facility:

The Solution

Use Ergonomic Equipment

By taking the right steps to prevent work-related injury and illness,

Ergonomic equipment is designed to naturally fit workers, rather than

Be Chemical Savvy Look for environmentally friendly chemicals. In addition, read all the labels on chemical products and have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available. Never mix chemicals, and know proper dilution ratios for your products. Look for systems that minimize the number of chemicals necessary to clean a building. These systems also utilize metering tips for accurate dilution.

July-Aug ’15

HEALTH&SAFETY

Standing at workplace may have long-term health consequences Recent research has warned of the health detriments associated with sitting for long stretches of time at the office, but what about the nearly half of all employees worldwide who are required to stand for more than 75% of their workdays?

Prolonged standing is associated with short-term adverse health issues, including reports of fatigue, leg cramps, and backaches, which can affect job performance and cause significant discomfort.

A new study published in the journal Human Factors suggests that, over time, this type of sustained muscle fatigue can result in serious health consequences.

“The work-related musculoskeletal implications that can be caused by prolonged standing are a burden not only for workers but also for companies and society,” notes Maria Gabriela Garcia, doctoral candidate in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich, a university Switzerland.

“Long-term muscle fatigue caused by standing for long periods of time has not received much attention,” Garcia said.

For the study, the researchers asked participants of two age groups to simulate standing work for five-hour periods. Participants could take brief seated rest breaks and a 30-minute lunch.

The authors found evidence of significant long-term fatigue following the five-hour workday, even when it included regular breaks, and that adverse symptoms persisted for at least 30 minutes following a seated recovery period. Moreover, young adults aged 18 to 30 were just as likely to experience long-term fatigue as were workers over the age of 50.

“Long-term fatigue after prolonged standing work may be present without being perceived,” continued Garcia.

“Current work schedules for standing work may not be adequate for preventing fatigue accumulation, and this long-lasting muscle fatigue may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and back pain,” Garcia pointed out. forcing them to strain and adapt to the equipment. By decreasing the amount of stress on the human body, ergonomic equipment is able to reduce work-related injuries.

Avoid Exposure Contaminants

to

Workers risk frequent exposure to bacteria, contaminated surfaces, hazardous materials, and other harmful substances. Cleaning process should segregate workers from dangerous exposure to contaminants such as these.

Slip-Fall Prevention

A study has shown that slip-fall injuries can cause major accidents, which can be fatal. There are numerous scenarios that prompt slip and fall accidents, and many methods of preventing them -Create a safety perimeter when performing floor cleaning tasks (use

July-Aug ’15

appropriate signage to clearly mark the area).

Use a degreasing solution on greasy floors.

Use a high-traction floor finish.

Wear non-slip shoes.

Also, look for systems that leave floors clean and dry and minimise the possibility of slip-fall injuries for workers and building occupants.

Wear Proper Attire Wearing the proper clothing will protect skin from harmful exposure to cleaning chemicals and diseasecausing bacteria. Sport non-slip shoes that are free of grease and mud, disposable gloves, safety goggles, dust masks, and wear long sleeved shirts with pants even in the summer.

Smart Lifting In situations where lifting is required, use proper body mechanics. To begin,

squat close to the object needed to be lifted. Then, with your knees bent, hold the object close to your body.

Keeping your back straight, use your legs to lift the object. Use the same method to set the object down. If an object is too heavy to carry, find help and avoid an injury.

Ladder Safety

Alert someone in the facility that you are going to be using the ladder in case of an accident. When setting up a ladder, it is essential to ensure stability. Make sure that the ground is level and the feet do not slide.

Make sure that your shoes are free of all soils and grease.

Know your Facility Educate your workers on the construction of your facility. Create a comprehensive diagram locating the utility shutoffs, utility lines, fire suppression systems, and so on.

Invest in Safety Investing into the health and safety of your workers is an investment into the care of your facility. Equipping workers properly, thoroughly training on the proper cleaning processes, and detailing safety procedures will ultimately increase the morale of your workers — the core component in the cleanliness of your facility.

This not only improves productivity, but it also reduces turnover and absenteeism. Empower your workers with the right equipment and the correct practices, and create a safer, green facility, which is cleaned with pride. n

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HRD

Searching for Hands

Even as manpower is one of the greatest challenges for the cleaning industry, if companies offer secure, fun and fulfilling job, people are ready to come in

A

mazing things happen when you make people feel valued as individuals, when you dignify their suggestions and their ideas, when you show your respect for them by allowing them to exercise their own wisdom and judgment and discretion.

The major problem faced by the cleaning industry in India is quality manpower. Do people understand if there is any career in cleaning industry? Most often this question haunts the owners of the cleaning companies. We know that the cleaning industry still needs the recognition from the mainstream industry, but what are the professionals in cleaning industry doing about this massive problem? How they can motivate qualified manpower to join the cleaning industry?

It is really interesting to know

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that there are people waiting outside whom the industry need badly.

They are hardworking, ethical quality people who want to build a career with a cleaning company.

These individuals who are difficult to find also needs the industry. If the company offers the secure, fun and fulfilling job, they have been looking for their entire life, they are ready to come in. Who are these people? More importantly, will they be interested in a career in the cleaning industry? But before that you will need to reject some common industry myths and practices to find, recruit and keep these quality individuals.

Cleaning Job Unattractive Of course young people won’t come to work for you, as long as you feel this way about yourself and the career opportunity you are offering.

Cleaning is the integral part of the service industry. After all, we don’t get much respect from the general public. But even worse, we don’t respect ourselves. So to attract quality people you must appreciate what this industry has to offer and change your attitude and selfimage. Let’s look at our industry’s advantages vs. hiring on with a big corporation through the eyes of a prospective employee: Create your own job security.

More and more young individuals recognise that corporate world does not offer true job security in today’s turbulent business environment.

They are tired of slaving away for bloated companies as a faceless clone where mediocrity is tolerated, only seniority is celebrated and their job can be eliminated with the slash of a pen. You, as the owner of small but thriving service business, can

July-Aug ’15

HRD offer an attractive alternative to the anonymity of corporate serfdom.

How? By emphasising to your prospective new employee he or she can create their own “job security” both by helping your company be successful and making themselves indispensable in this quest. If they take this to heart, you will always find work for them. After all, you would be crazy to let them walk away!

“People” love working with the public. And these socially adept lots who actually enjoy dealing with customers are the ones you should be searching for. Why? It’s best summed up in one of favorite quotes. “Find a job you love, and you will never work another day in your life.” Ideally, your employees are going to look forward to coming to work and will therefore stick around long term. It is so much easier to “hire the smile” and then train your worker technically. The right individual will look forward to each day representing your company by happily interacting with the clients. The wrong individual will dread it. Too many cleaners are stuck with these anti-social losers for technicians. Bad for them, uncomfortable for your clients and horrible for you.

Great demographics — The economy in India is growing. The growth in infrastructure is creating new avenues for further growth in cleaning and maintenance industry.

The future needs are highly qualified services and high-end technology. It is going to be support mechanism for the large industry interested in outsourcing non-core businesses,

July-Aug ’15

specially to service industry. The current generation has more money and less time than ever before.

Even better, there is a renewed interest in caring for and upgrading their lifestyle. So these affluent dual-income folks will cheerfully accept good pay to perform quality work. The result for a prospective employee? More work, more money, no layoffs and opportunities galore!

More freedom and flexibility — Sure, any business needs some rules.

But if this great employee has made himself indispensable, you will work with their requests for time off and other personal needs.

Low Pay Sadly, you may be right. You probably can’t pay more. And why not?

Because our industry is afflicted with the terrible curse of “Trying To Do It Cheaper Than Everyone Else!”

Very likely, the quickest and easiest business improvement you could make right now is to immediately raise your prices. Not just to make more profit (nothing wrong with more money in your pocket!) but also to pay your employees much better.

Some small-business owners hide behind this excuse: “People won’t work harder if you pay them more.”

I will agree that you won’t get double the work out of a marginal employee by doubling their wages. However, a quality individual will give you double the output just because he or she is a good person. And, all other things being equal, you will keep this excellent employee far longer if you pay him or her more than they could make at any other comparable job in your market area. In the final

analysis, you are not competing just for “external” customers who purchase cleaning services from you.

You are also competing with other employers for “internal customers,” the very best employees. This latter competition is even more important for cleaners because you’re not selling durable goods. As a janitorial-service owner with more than 300 workers told me once, “All I sell is people.”

It all comes down to the Law of Supply and Demand. Great people are in great demand…and they know it. But trust me, the most important business-growing task you have is to search for quality people that will share your business vision. So always be sure you pay better than your “competition,” which is any other job opportunity open to your employees.

Life is just too short to work with marginal people. Obviously there are other equally important nonfinancial reasons your employees decide stay or leave your company.

Delegation Dilemma Remember, good people want to do good work and they will if you allow them. Fear of delegation is one of the main problems that will stunt the growth of your business. Good employees want to be challenged with more responsibilities while operating within their comfort level. If you fearfully refuse your worker’s quest for more personal growth by acquiring new skills and responsibilities, the good ones will get bored and leave. And you’ll be stuck with the marginal, dead-end losers!

Ignore these common myths and you will find the quality of your job applicants greatly improved.

Even better, quality individuals will want to work long term in your company. However, long before you are comfortable hiring these star performers you must conquer your fear of: “If I hire a really great individual, he or she will shortly go into competition against me.” I’m convinced that this is the reason many cleaners subconsciously settle for hiring less than the best employees – the fear of training their future competition. n

33

IAQ

Fruits

of Fragrance While unpleasant odor can drive customers away, getting rid of the sources of malodor wherever possible or introducing pleasant ambient scents can enhance the experience of diners, night club goers and other visitors of hospitality properties

J

ust as pleasant scents can make you feel rejuvenated, a person who is regularly exposed to unpleasant odor – whether at home, a hotel or in the office – does not feel well. Odors emitted from carpets, paints, varnishes and furniture, as well as mold, or air which is too dry, affect the indoor air quality.

A recent study has found that pleasant fragrances can enhance the experience of nightclub goers and prompt them to spend more. It only implies that efforts to remove unpleasant odor pays off. And the reverse can also be true. That means while pleasant odor in a bar or restaurant can help attract guests,

34

By Jyotismita Sharma unpleasant odors can drive them away. After all, will anyone stay for long in a bar, however fine drinks it may serve, if the air is stuffy? And who will come to dine again in a restaurant if smoke and waste food odor from the kitchen invade the dining space.

Therefore, be it a restaurant, bar, hotel or for that matter a mall, controlling the indoor odorants deserves serious attention from those who want their business to flourish. The same can be said of hospitals too.

Unpleasant odors cannot be dismissed as simple nuisance. Often dubbed as “pathogenic messengers”

of faulty design, improper construction and bad maintenance of building ventilation systems, indoor odorants pose serious health effects to the occupants or workers of such buildings.

In a bid to fix the problem quickly, it is not uncommon to see that the home owners and building managers resort to spraying air fresheners and deodorizers. Such quick fixes, contrary to solving the problem, may in some cases aggravate the problem further as most of them emit volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) in indoor air, which are harmful to our health. Therefore, an odor-control strategy that identifies and targets

July-Aug ’15

the source of malodor is regarded as the best strategy.

Sources of Bad Indoor Odor • Occupant-Produced Odorants • P e r f u m e s a n d O t h e r Commercial Odorants and Deodorizers • O d o r a n t s f rom B u i l d i n g Materials: Aldehydes and Solvents • Reentramed Odorants from Outdoor Air: Motor Vehicular Exhaust and Industrial Process Odorants • Bio-odorants: Mercaptans and Other Sulfur Containing Compounds Resulting from Organic Materials, Molds, and Foods • Smoke-Related Odorants Unpleasant Odor is Unhealthy The Central Pollution Control Board, Govt. of India, in its ‘Guidelines on Odor Pollution & its Control’ said, “Toxic stimulants of odor may cause ill health or respiratory symptoms. Secondary effects, in some, may be nausea, insomnia and discomfort. Very strong odor can result in nasal irritation; trigger symptoms in individuals with breathing problems or asthma.” However, different other reports on indoor odorants throw light on several other health effects -Loss of sense of smell: Researchers have found that chronic exposure to certain types of odorants can lead to serious olfactory dysfunction. The risk is found to be higher among those who are exposed to paints and solvents. Another study concludes that a worker’s ability to detect test odorants goes down with chronic exposure to menthol.

Asthma: It is seen that asthma patients react sharply to odorants.

From insecticides, paint vapors in buildings, perfumes, household cleaners to cigarettes, auto exhaust and body odors are specifically associated with worsening of asthma conditions in patients.

Cancer Risk: Cer tain indoor odorants like benzene, chloroform, formaldehyde, and most significantly, ETS are known human carcinogens.

July-Aug ’15

Exposure to common odorant air freshener and constituent of moth balls, paradichlorobenzene may be considered a serious factor leading to cancer deaths. Such risks arise because of exposure to volatile organic compounds that are exceeded only by benzene and chloroform.

Miscellaneous: Malodors may also cause several digestive disturbances like anorexia, nausea, vomiting, gagging; central nervous system symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness and lethargy; and headaches.

Odor Control Strategies There are three common strategies to get rid of malodors. The first strategy of odor control, according to the experts, must always be ‘source control’ – the strategy to identify and remove the sources of contaminants. Such a strategy, according to the experts, is the most effective method of preventing the problem of malodor from taking root. “Source control solutions could include the elimination of smoking in an area or building, venting the exhaust from a manufacturing process to the outside, or by simply moving the source to another area (e.g., moving all laser printers and photocopiers to a separate ventilated room),” says a study by Purafil Inc., USA. However, in cases when the source cannot be identified, it is not possible to remove the source. In such circumstances, ventilation control method, which primarily constitutes the process of introducing clean air to dilute the affect of odor, may come to one’s rescue, at least temporarily.

This is because ventilation can hardly be a permanent solution, especially in the urban space where finding clean outdoor air to breathe is as improbable as finding roads without garbage in India. So in such circumstances, where quality of outdoor air is far from meeting the acceptable parameters, depending on ventilation control alone to get rid of malodors in a workplace or hotel is like expecting corrupt politicians implementing sweeping reforms to clean the political system.

‘Removal control’ comes in handy

35

IAQ

Fragrances enhance nightlife experience • Introduction of pleasant ambient scents that hide unpleasant smells may enhance the nightlife experience of customers at a bar or nightclub, new research shows.

• In restaurants, bars and nightclubs where smoking is banned, customers are more aware of unpleasant smells, such as body odors and the smell of old beer that used to be masked by cigarette smoke.

• According to Dr. Hendrik Schifferstein from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and his colleagues, carefully selected fragrances can enhance dancing activity, improve the overall perception of the evening, and improve how nightclub goers rate the music as well as their mood.

• Their findings were just published online in the journal Chemosensory Perception.

• The authors suggest a possible solution to the problem of malodor is to install fragrance machines that distribute a pleasant scent in order to mask the unwanted odors. This might lead to improvements in the perceived quality of the environment and hence greater spending, in nightclubs in particular.

• Just like combinations of lights and sounds create the desired atmosphere, adding scents to the mix could lead to an enriched multisensory experience, the study found.

• The researchers tested the impact of dispensing three scents suitable for a nightclub environment - relaxing orange, stimulating peppermint and neutral seawater - in three distinct dance clubs in cities with significant student populations.

• They observed the level of dancing in a mixture of male and female visitors in their early twenties, and then asked 849 of them to fill out a short questionnaire asking how they liked the evening in the club (quality of the evening, the music and the club, as well as feelings).

• The results showed that the introduction of scents positively influenced dancing, enjoyment, music and mood, although there were no differences in effects between the scents.

• More dancing activity was observed with scents than without; participants rated both the evening and the music more positively with scents than without; and they were more cheerful with scents than without.

• “Given that visitors gave a better evaluation for the clubs, felt more cheerful, and showed more dancing activity when scents were diffused, environmental fragrancing may be expected to have a positive effect on visitor return rate and future revenue for clubs,” Dr. Schifferstein concluded. when both these methods – source control and ventilation control fail to deliver the desired results.

This method, which has attracted the attention of most researchers, involves the removal of contaminants from airstream.

“Removal control, as employed as part of an HVAC system, is usually accomplished by physical adsorption and/or chemisorption through the use of various dry, granular, gasphase (dry-scrubbing) air filtration media,” says the study by Purafil Inc. Common filter media, according to the report, include plain and chemically-impregnated activated carbons and alumina, silica gel, and zeolites.

W h i l e “a d s o r p t i o n i s a physical process whereby gaseous contaminants are ‘captured’ by the media, chemisorption “involves the reaction with various chemical

36

species contained in (or on) the media which can convert the contaminants to carbon dioxide, water vapor, organic and inorganic salts, etc.” Adsorption is a reversible process because the gases once adsorbed by the media may well desorb later, but chemisorption is an instantaneous process that is irreversible.

The air filters that are widely used to remove gases and odors can be categorized under the removal

control strategy. According to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such gas-phase air filters remove gases or odors with the help of a material called a sorbent, such as activated carbon, which adsorbs the pollutants. However, it adds the caution that because such “gas-phase filters are specific to one or a limited number of gaseous pollutants, they will not reduce concentrations of pollutants for which they were not designed.” n

July-Aug ’15

July-Aug ’15

Nov-Dec ’14

37 55

PRODUCT PREVIEW

Cleaning Through Micro Fibers Par tek offers its Micro Fiber High Performance Cleaning Cloth, which can make a perceptible change in your c leaning process for the better.

It can facilitate you to prevent crosscontamination in a much better way than a conventional cloth. The product has been designed to give you enormous cleaning power with just plain water. The micro fibers in this cleaning cloth are 200 times thinner than hair, which enables them to reach every micro pore of any surface that needs to be cleaned. And when you wash it, the cloth releases dirt really fast, unlike the conventional cotton cloth.

With this cloth, you have no need to use soap or costly detergents, thereby making it an environment-friendly product also. Partek’s micro fiber cloth is available in two types — regular & life. The product comes in four colours; blue, green, red and yellow. Cleaning through this cloth leaves no room for lint, and even if you forget to wash it after use, there will be no bacterial build-up.

Besides the utilitarian, hygienic and environmental aspects, the soft and plush feel of the cloth gives you a unique pleasure while cleaning; without the need for scratching even the delicate surfaces. The micro fiber cloth could last 300 -500 washes, which gives it a durable character.

Nutech Jetting Equipments India Private Limited info@nutechgroup.org

World-class one-stop Laundry Service Provider ‘Dhobighat’ is a fabric care center that offers worldclass expertise with cuttingedge technology and superior services to ensure clothes retain their freshness and remain like new ones. The company perfected their laundry processes to provide outstanding cleaning while extending textile life. ‘Dhobighat’ is committed to providing a laundry service to all institutions intent on providing quality, while focusing on cost containment and the optimum use of linen.

Dhobighat is a world-class one-stop service provider for the finest in garment washing, dyeing and finishing needs. The company uses 100 percent R.O. water for cleaning process and helps maintain finish of garments.

The company’s goal is to always serve its family of customers effectively and efficiently. It operates a flexible operations, which has been designed with the needs of its customers to give them peace of mind.

Dhobighat info@dhobighat.in

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Cut the grease with Wizard surface cleaner If cleaning the greasy tiles or oily floors is what is worrying you the most, try the Wizard multipurpose surface cleaner for a dirt-free, germ-free and fresh finish that leaves behind a pleasant fragrance.

With excellent emulsifying and wetting properties, and gentle action, this versatile surface cleaner from Quartz Home Care (I) P. Ltd. can be used for all washable surfaces including floors, tiles, washrooms, kitchens and work stations.

With excellent emulsifying and wetting properties, and gentle action, a single application of this industrial disinfectant cleaner removes dirt and grime and prevents the growth of mold and mildew and their odors. Wizard can be used either manually or with cleaning machines. This economical and non-toxic & non acidic cleaner is also an effective one-stop sanitizer for non-food contact surfaces. The international non–rinse formula of this cleaning product not only helps save water but also ensures that no powder residue or cleaning marks are left behind on the surface.

Quartz Home Care (I) P. Ltd. quartz@bol.net.in

Sky has the Depth of Quality The journey of Sky Enterprises did begin in the preindependence era. The company has come a long way from the days of Raj to the cyber age.

However, over the years, its endeavour to provide quality products has not changed. It has never compromised on is the quality of cloth and dress materials used. The product range of Sky Enterprises is valued for its high quality products and fine stitching. The company uses high grade raw materials, which are sourced from its trusted vendors.

Today Sky Enterprises is regarded as a pioneer in the field of manufacturing and supply of uniforms and uniform related accessories, and hand-made zari embroidery in India.

The company’s product range include waiter uniforms, Chef uniforms, uniforms for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, school uniforms, reception uniforms, uniforms for air hostesses, security uniforms, housekeeping uniforms, and all other types of corporate uniforms. The company’s prestigious clientele list includes Indian Air Force and Indian Navy among others.

Besides institutional uniform tailoring, the company also executes complete job of drapery and stitching on order.

SKY Enterprises skyenterprisesindia@gmail.com

July-Aug ’15

BUS INE S S O P P O RT U N I TY

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

BAKERY REVIEW

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ADANI WILMAR LTD.

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HICARE SERVICES PVT. LTD.

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UNIQUE TRADING COMPANY

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Feb-Mar ’15

I NTERV IE W

‘Housekeeping Shapes Your Memories’

By Sharmila Chand

The common perception that housekeeping is a mere cleaning department is what agitates Senthilkumar Bangarusamy the most. For him, housekeeping is the department that shapes the guest’s memories about the hotel. Currently working as the Executive Housekeeper, Marasa Sarovar Premiere at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Bangarusamy has over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry that includes his stints at the Taj group of Hotels, ITC-Hotels, Denis Private Island in Seychelles and at Wonderla Resort-Bangalore. Excerpts from an interview: How important in your opinion is housekeeping to hospitality?

Housekeeping is the backbone of the hotel as it helps create the first impression of the property in the guests’ eyes.

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

Our motto at the hotel is to ensure that the guests are not only satisfied but delighted. We always ensure to go that little extra mile with families and children and our regular guests by wowing them.

We all work as a team to ensure that the guests have a restful and relaxing stay at our hotel.

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

Software’s, Creative Turndowns and Microfiber -- these three are setting the new trends in housekeeping.

Softwares: Now-a-days some of the international brands in India are using iPads for room attendant reports and supervisors use the touch pad to clear rooms and update status regularly. A Dash board at the housekeeping will give you the information on the status of rooms and the position of the room attendant at any point of time. Front office also accesses the status of rooms and can prioritize rooms for guest allotment. The hotel software also provides lost & found reports; linen reports and even daily room checks can be stored in the system easily.

Creative Turndowns: Turndown S er vice in hotels is getting more

40

competitive and therefore standards are rising. Just when you think “it can’t get any better” somebody turns up with something new! VIP and long stays are wooed with turndown trays, free internet, meal vouchers and other value add-ons that can have anything from a teddy bear to a simple good night quote, chocolates (now an old hat), scented candles by the tub, beautiful satin gowns and herbal teas by the bed stand.

Microfiber: This fabric consists of really tiny charged fibers, as dust is negatively charged, it is attracted to the fabric like a magnet, and oils are also easily absorbed. Microfiber can absorb eight times its own weight in water. This miracle fabric is also exceptionally soft and highly durable. A combination of all these characteristics makes it a very good cleaning material Please name any one tool which has made the operations much easy?

Trigger Bottles: Trigger bottles have made it easier for operations to carry chemicals from one place to another place and it looks hygienic and professional.

Housekeeping, as complex as the function, requires rigorous training.

How much of an emphasis does the hotel place on this?

S a rov a r H o t e l s p l a c e a l o t o f importance on guest satisfaction and hence housekeeping plays a key role in ensuring that the guests have a pleasurable stay. We provide regular training to all staff and develop skills through on-the-job training.

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

India has grown leaps and bounds in terms of housekeeping. The hotels are well aware that the international traveler today is very demanding and expects the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained at hotels. Most of the work is now mechanized which not only ensures good quality but also more efficiency in terms of operations.

What elements you take into account to recruit staff in Housekeeping department?

Since housekeeping plays such a crucial role in the hotel we ensure that our staff is presentable with a neat and clean physical appearance. They must be groomed to the highest standards and have an eye for detail and passion for ensuring guest comfort. Last but not the least, we ensure that they serve with a smile, since a smile can go a long way.

What do you like about your job?

The fact that we can make the experience for guests far more valuable by providing a perfect personalized service, sometimes even take him by surprise in giving unexpected service.

Finally, what is it that you would like to change about your job?

Ever y body ’s perception is that housekeeping department is a cleaning department; I would like to change that and say our department shapes the guests’ memories about the hotel.

July-Aug ’15

Roots Multiclean Ltd. R.K.G Industrial Estate, Ganapathy, Coimbatore - 641 006.

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July-Aug ’15