T R A F F I C C O N D I T I O N S D I C TAT E F L O O R C A R E Soils such as sand, dust, and grit are generally not a significant problem for floors until people and equipment are introduced to the environment. These dry soils have sharp edges and when walked on or rolled over, they can start abrading, eroding, and
otherwise damaging the floor and its finish. The number of people and mechanical vehicles traveling on a floor is referred to as traffic, and the amount of traffic on the floor will help determine the amount and type of cleaning and maintenance the floor will need.
LOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS A low-traffic environment is a small space where approximately 100 to 500
people may walk through each day. Examples include small offices or retail stores. Daily sweeping and vacuuming is required to remove light debris, dust, and other soils. Weekly wet floor maintenance should be all that is needed to maintain a thorough clean.
FLOORING FOR LOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS Due to the low volume of people filing through each day and the minimal maintenance required, low traffic conditions have the greatest range of optimal flooring types that can be considered. Options include hardwood, laminate, tile, natural stone, carpet, vinyl, and cork, for example.
MEDIUM TRAFFIC CONDITIONS A medium-traffic environment encompasses smaller class "A" and class "B" buildings. These facilities typically have 500 to 1,500 people
walking through them each day and will require daily cleaning. In addition to a daily sweeping or vacuuming, a wet maintenance routine at the end
of each day is needed to maintain a thorough clean.
FLOORING FOR MEDIUM TRAFFIC CONDITIONS Medium traffic areas can use a mix of flooring that both the low and high traffic areas can utilize. Examples include commercial bamboo, tile, solid hardwood with a strong hardness rating, and concrete, for example.
HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS High-traffic facilities face anywhere from 1,500 to 100,000 people or more every day. Examples include large office buildings, sports
complexes, hospitals, schools, and transportation centers like airports and bus stations. These floors are constantly being soiled and require floor maintenance multiple times throughout the day.
FLOORING FOR HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS High traffic conditions are best met with
tough, durable, and solid flooring that can handle the wear and tear that the area will face daily and over time. The ideal floor types are ceramic that is rated 4 or 5 on the PEI chart, concrete, natural stone such as granite, limestone, sandstone, laminate flooring with a thick layer of melamine resin, and engineered or solid hardwood with a strong hardness rating.
TRAFFIC PATTERNS VARY It is important to realize that certain areas within a facility may have multiple traffic patterns over time or multiple traffic patterns within the facility at any given time. As an example of the latter, lobbies, primary walkways, and entries into retail stores can be high-
traffic areas while other areas within the same facility may have medium or even low traffic. To ensure proper floor maintenance, cleaning professionals need to be clear on which areas need the most frequent attention and should consider preventative care as well. This ensures the floors are maintained, reduces costs, and can help reduce restorative cycles.
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http://www.bir.org/industry/plastics/ http://www.bir.org/industry/plastics/ http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/plastics.htm http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recycling_facts_and_stats http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recycling_facts_and_stats http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/plastics.htm http://www.bir.org/industry/plastics/ http://environment.about.com/od/recycling/a/benefits-of-plastics-recycling.htm
SUMMARY Traffic conditions primarily dictate the level of care and maintenance a facility’s flooring needs. Maintaining the appropriate care program ensures floors last a long time while boosting aesthetic appeal and overall cleanliness of a facility.