FCM March/April

SERVING THE FACILIT Y CLE ANING & MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY

APRIL 2019

� ‘MAID’ TO ORDER: THE RISE OF A.I. � CARPET STAIN SOLUTIONS � RESTROOMS: CLEANING FOR INCLUSIVITY

IT’S ALL RELATIVE

PA R T O F T H E

M.C. Janitorial Systems’ family business still going strong after more than 50 years

PM#40063056

P A R T

O F

T H E

� CONTENTS APRIL 2019

PHOTOS BY MIGUEL HORTIGUELA

SPOTLIGHT 12 Robots for Hire The fate of hotel housekeeping

by Micah Estis Green 15 No Vacancy How to get rid of unwanted ‘guests’

by Alice Sinia

FLOORING 18 The Future is Now Time to integrate autonomous cleaning solutions into the workforce

by Matt Fussy 20 Entry Denied

Mats key to keeping elements out

by Terry Trathen

COVER STORY 8

All in the Family Seeds for M.C. Janitorial Systems’ success as third-generation business sown early in cleaning company’s history

by Clare Tattersall

IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Editor’s Letter Spring Forward

22 Blemish Buster

Best practices for identifying, removing carpet discolouration

by Lee Senter

RESTROOMS 26 Love at First Flush

Waterless urinals save green, easy to keep clean

by Klaus Reichardt 28 Potty Parity

Cleaning gender-neutral restrooms often on par with traditional toilet facilities

by Robert Kravitz

21 Expert Q+A

All Floors Equal?

29 Clean Matters

Train of Thought

The cleaning robot market is expected to double by 2023, from $2.09 billion US to $4.34 billion US, according to a report by revenue impact researcher Markets and Markets.

www.REMInetwork.com / 3

/ editor’s letter /

SPRING FORWARD

I

t’s amazing how much can change in just a few months (beyond the seasons). In my last editor’s letter, I expressed how excited I was about a newly created trade show for the cleaning and maintenance industries — ISSA Show Canada — born out of a partnership between MediaEdge’s Real Estate Management Industry (REMI) Network and the worldwide cleaning industry association, ISSA. Since then, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has joined forces with ISSA Show Canada, along with the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), a division of ISSA, and the Ontario Healthcare Housekeeping Association (OHHA). This enhanced collaboration will provide for more robust educational programming and networking opportunities. In addition, the show will feature a full slate of exhibitors that will showcase a range of products, equipment and services to keep facilities clean, healthy, sustainable and operating smoothly. ISSA Show Canada will make its debut June 11-13, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It will be held in tandem with the REMI Show whose delegates include building owners and managers, as well as maintenance professionals.

Until then, I’d like to turn your attention to this issue of Facility Cleaning & Maintenance, which features M.C. Janitorial Systems as our cover story. Now in its fifty-first year of operation, the family-built and led business has experienced continued success when other commercial cleaning companies have failed thanks to the high standard of care that M.C. Janitorial Systems’ founder, Joe Mastroianni, committed to from the outset. His original motto, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them,” still resonates today with not only clients but staff, including assistant managing director and granddaughter, Claudia, who will one day take over the company’s reins. You can read all about M.C. Janitorial Systems, from its founding through to present day, in All in the Family.

As you turn the page on the company profile, you’ll come to this issue’s spotlight — hospitality facilities — which delves into the rise of artificial intelligence, or A.I., in housekeeping and what’s perhaps every hotel’s worst nightmare: bedbugs.

We then move to our industry focuses — flooring and restrooms — where we explore autonomous floor cleaning solutions; the benefits of installing entrance mats; how to remove unsightly carpet spots and stains; maintenance requirements for waterless urinals; and gender-neutral washroom cleaning procedures.

Rounding out this issue is our expert Q+A with Charlotte Products’ Jim Flieler, who talks terrazzo flooring, and our regular Clean Matters column. Penned this time by IFMA’s Don Gilpin, it examines the many advantages professional designations and certifications offer facilities personnel.

CLARE TATTERSALL claret@mediaedge.ca

4 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

Editor Clare Tattersall claret@mediaedge.ca

Digital Editor Zandile Chiwanza zandilec@mediaedge.ca

Senior Designer

Production Manager

Annette Carlucci Rachel Selbie rachels@mediaedge.ca

Sales Kelly Nicholls kellyn@mediaedge.ca

Contributing Writers

Matt Fussy Don Gilpin Micah Estis Green Robert Kravitz Klaus Reichardt Lee Senter Alice Sinia Terry Trathen

Circulation Anthony Campbell

circulation@mediaedge.ca

Facility Cleaning & Maintenance is published five times a year by:

5255 Yonge St., Suite 1000 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6P4

President

Kevin Brown kevinb@mediaedge.ca

Senior Vice-President

Robert Thompson robertt@mediaedge.ca

Director and Group Publisher

Sean Foley

seanf@mediaedge.ca Copyright 2019 Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40063056 ISSN 1712-140X Circulation ext. 234 Subscription Rates: Canada: 1 year, $50*, 2 years, $80*, US $75 International $100, Single Copy Sales: Canada: $12* * Plus applicable taxes Requests for permission to reprint any portion of this magazine should be sent to the Editor, Clare Tattersall FORMERLY KNOWN AS

bit.ly/FCM-FB /CleaningMaint bit.ly/FCM-LinkedIn

A trusted source of industry insight introduces the REMI Show: a new event supporting professional development for Building Owners, Managers and Maintenance Professionals.

An exceptional opportunity to hear from leading experts and gain first-hand knowledge about emerging products, technologies and buiding service trends, including a world-class exhibition floor.

Become part of the REMI Show’s expansive and informative industry network. REGISTER today at www.REMIshow.com/register

Proudly Owned and Operated by:

Supporting Show Partners:

BGIS RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions (BGIS) is the recipient of this year’s ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award.

“Accepting this recognition on behalf of BGIS is a major accomplishment for our group,” said BGIS’s John Castelhano, AVP strategic sourcing and procurement, North America, at the company’s leadership kick-off meeting in Markham, Ont. “We will continue to align with ISSA, and collaborate to drive improved sustainability results and value to our clients in the cleaning industry going forward.”

The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes and honours organizations committed to environmental management and dedication to the value of clean.

“BGIS is truly a pioneer in the environmental movement,” said ISSA Canada executive director Mike Nosko during the award presentation.

“The company’s continued focus has been to drive efficiency improvement for its customers through the provision of sustainable and innovative real estate solutions.”

One of the largest facility management companies in Canada, managing more than 220 million square feet, BGIS is committed to driving change within the property management industry away from just talking about sustainable solutions to actually implementing them. In 2017, BGIS participated in a Clean Energy Canada panel discussion and provided input on a set of policy recommendations to the federal government on low carbon procurement. Most recently, the company adopted ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Building (CIMSGB) as part of its cleaning subcontractor pre-qualification requirements for request for proposals.

Sustainability is at the heart of BGIS’s business. The company continues to use its span of influence and expertise to reduce energy use in buildings, as well as promote conservation and sustainable business practices in its

ISSA Canada executive director Mike Nosko (left) presents the 2018 Environmental Stewardship Award to Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions’ John Castelhano, AVP strategic sourcing and procurement, North America, and CEO Gord Hicks. own offices, within its clients’ portfolios, and with its suppliers and team members. This is helping to set an example in the real estate industry and is part of the global shift that will open the floodgates to large-scale opportunities that can combat climate change around the world.

“When it comes to greener, cleaner and more sustainable facilities, BGIS understands the meaning of ‘building wellness’ and the importance it plays in today’s changing world,” said Nosko.

GET THE GOLF SWING READY FOR TEE TIME

ISSA Canada’s Quebec chapter will host its annual golf tournament May 14, at Le Blainvillier golf club.

Designed by famous architect Graham Cooke, Le Blainvillier is one of the more challenging courses in the province. It is also among 6 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

the most beautiful, built in the heart of a forest of trees that offers both beginner and high-level players a visual delight.

On this occasion, the Quebec chapter will honour one of its industry pioneers, Mario Lamarche, for his contribution to the growth of ISSA Canada. Those that have earned the distinction at previous ceremonies include: Eugène Paradis, Av Morrow, Marcel Boudreau, Lise Laliberté, Claude Bouchard, Jean Larose, Pierre Hébert, Pierre Labbé, Jean Beaulac, Lyse Paradis, Robert Gendron, Robert Ducharme, Yves Gratton and Yves DeMontigny.

As in years past, the golf tournament is open to end-users who would like to participate as a guest. And remember, a round of golf is a great way to bring clients and suppliers together, and reinforce the business relationship in a relatively informal environment.

For more information on the event, contact Richard Bolduc at 819-322-1789 or richard@issa-canada.com.

ISSA NEWS ISSA SHOW CANADA GAINS NEW PARTNERS The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), a division of ISSA, and the Ontario Healthcare Housekeeping Association (OHHA) have partnered with ISSA Show Canada.

“Both IEHA and OHHA bring industry-leading expertise to assist with ISSA’s mission of changing the way the world views cleaning,” said ISSA Canada executive director Mike Nosko. “The top-notch educational programming that they will provide is sure to help further professionalize our frontline workers and instill the confidence they need in order to keep our facilities healthy and sustainable.”

With sustainability being a trending issue among all industry sectors, IEHA will present a session on healthcare sustainability. It will focus on the facts about sustainability as a planetary and business imperative, as well as provide practical tools to make sustainability goals achievable.

Another session on healthcare infection control will explore the disconnect between environmental services and infection control departments. Proven infection control procedures will be discussed, including the need for departments to work together to identify high-touch areas that require more frequent cleaning, as well as best practices and protocols to help reduce the risk of healthcareacquired infections (HAIs).

“Our frontline professionals are the key to ensuring hospitals, offices and institutions are clean and healthy. By arming them with tools that work and education they can use in the field, we instill in these professionals the confidence to take their cleaning strategies to the next level, which is beneficial not only to building owners but those who use those facilities,” said IEHA executive director Michael Patterson.

OHHA executive director Wendy Boone added, “This is going to be an amazing show, uniting all our industry expert partners and furthering our mission of providing the tools and resources to achieve professional success.”

ISSA Show Canada is the result of a partnership between the worldwide cleaning industry association, ISSA, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and MediaEdge’s Real Estate Management Industry (REMI) Network. The goal of the show is to provide a platform to connect like-minded industry professionals focused on keeping buildings clean and green, and operating in a sustainable and energy-efficient fashion. It will be held June 11-13, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, in tandem with the REMI Show, whose delegates include building owners and managers.

High Reach Cleaning Services At Sunshine, our fully bonded personnel are specially trained and certified to clean high reach areas safely and effectively. Our industry-leading equipment, tools, and techniques let us see into and clean even the most troublesome nooks and crannies.

We ensure your high reach areas get a complete clean - vacuuming and damp wiping to trap and capture the maximum amount of dust and grease buildup. Our multi-tasking approach prevents particles and residue from simply blowing around and reappearing elsewhere in your facility.

Specialty Equipment Scissor and Boom Lifts

We typically supply the necessary lift equipment, though we can utilize onsite equipment if it’s available. Electric lifts designed to be used inside are able to maneuver easily throughout their environments while providing fume-free, clean operation.

SpaceVac

The SpaceVac is an innovative high-level cleaning solution that enables us to extend our reach and get into even the tightest spots.

It’s powerful, quiet, and features a built-in camera that lets us monitor exactly what and where we’re cleaning. www.commercialjanitorialservices.ca

Sunshine_HorhalfAd_FC&M_April_2019.indd 1

|

1-800-307-2180

www.REMInetwork.com / 7 2019-04-15 2:27 PM

/ cover story /

ALL IN THE

FAMILY

Seeds for M.C. Janitorial Systems’ success as third-generation business sown early in cleaning company’s history

by Clare Tattersall

8 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

F

or years, Canada has lived in the shadow of the United States as the land of opportunity despite the fact it’s one of the most open countries to immigration in the world, boasting the highest proportion of foreign-born inhabitants of all the G7 member nations. Immigrants have historically chosen Canada as their new home because it offers a safe haven and economic opportunity. The latter, combined with the country’s obligations within the newly created North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), was behind the second and largest wave of Italian immigration in the 20th century. Between 1950 and 1970, Canada welcomed nearly half a million newcomers, which came to comprise 70 per cent of the Italian Canadian population. Among them was Joe Mastroianni and his wife of one year, Irma, who arrived in Toronto in 1958.

“We travelled here to improve ourselves,” says Joe, who originates from Calabria, Italy.

But shortly after their arrival, Joe longed to return to his hometown of San Mango

D’Aquino in the province of Catanzaro, believing at the time that he had left a better life behind.

“It took us a month to find a room to rent and I (initially) had no job,” he explains, adding they relied on the goodwill of a local church-run food pantry for weekly groceries. “All I wanted to do was make $500 and leave.”

Though dismayed by his circumstances, Joe was determined to land work. Like many who immigrated to Canada after the Second World War, he found employment in a physically labourious field — construction. Earning just $1 an hour, Joe knew it would take some time to meet his monetary goal, so he quickly looked to supplement his income. With little formal education and English his second language, Joe’s options, however, were limited.

“I took whatever work I could get,” he says.

This included helping a realtor show houses, selling oil furnaces and then stainless steel cookware for Cook-O-Matic. By this time, Joe had settled into his new life in

/ cover story /

�

LEFT TO RIGHT: KASSIA PALMARES, PAULINA CANTOS, MARIA TORO, TINA FERLAINO, JOE MASTROIANNI, CLAUDIA FERLAINO, MIKE FERLAINO, JULIA AMARAL, ANABELA MONIZ, VELMA LEAL AND AMELIA COUTO.

Toronto, having welcomed a daughter in 1961. But his sales abilities proved successful and the company relocated him to Australia, where he remained for three years. Soon after his return, Joe parted ways with Cook-O-Matic when his job became solely commission-based and joined Canada Foil.

Little did he know at the time that the move would be life-changing.

“I asked a guy in the factory (who also worked elsewhere) if he needed help with anything, and he threw a couple cleaning jobs my way,” says Joe. Armed with a new skillset and fuelled with a desire to better support his family, Joe actively sought out his own clients.

One of the first persons he approached was the owner of Wycliffe Property Management Ltd., who awarded him a contract in 1972, to clean a medical building. With time, and the assistance and support of his wife, Joe took on all of Wycliffe’s cleaning needs, which he has sustained to this day.

“After the medical building, I was asked to clean a bunch of model suites and then the subdivisions before occupancy, totalling about 7,000 homes,” he says.

Throughout the ‘70s, Joe, who had branded his newfound business EastWest Contractors, saw success, which allowed him to leave his job at Canada Foil; however, it was a second big contract that took his f lourishing janitorial company to the next level. In 1978, he was hired by Tridel to clean its newly built Village by the Grange, a mixed-use condominium development that required him to staff up. Joe’s relationship with the real estate developer, established five years prior when he was first hired to clean the project’s construction offices and model suites, was key to nabbing the job.

As the years went on, Joe’s cleaning team and clientele grew along with his family. Though his wife is no longer involved in the business, his daughter (and sole child), Tina, and son-in-law, 10 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

Mike, play prominent roles, serving as the company’s vice-president and head of post-construction and floor maintenance, respectively. But it’s his granddaughter, Claudia, who he sees inheriting the business, so much so that he changed the company’s name to M.C. Janitorial Systems in 1996, when she was just a toddler.

“I have two granddaughters, Marisa and Claudia, and I renamed the company after them because they are the best people in my life,” says Joe proudly. “At that time, I hoped one day one or both would take it over, though I never pushed. The choice was always theirs.”

While Marisa has pursued another path, Claudia is now a leading figure in the company having quickly moved up the ranks from office assistant to assistant managing director. Her decision to fulfill her grandfather’s dream came in Grade 12, and was a bit of a shock, albeit a good one, to her family.

“I think my parents and grandfather thought I was joking when I first told them because it’s not something a typical 18-year-old would say,” says Claudia with a laugh. “Once I explained I wanted to be part of a company that not only supported me but my immediate and extended family, as well as more than 100 employees, they realized I wasn’t kidding.”

Having a plan in place also substantiated she was serious about her chosen career path; Claudia had already applied to one of the top business schools in Canada — Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. To her delight, she was accepted to the prestigious institution where she studied business law and entrepreneurship. In 2014, she graduated with a bachelor of commerce, which prepared her to join M.C. Janitorial Systems full-time.

Now, five years later, Claudia’s formal schooling is well behind her, though her education hasn’t ended. She recognizes

lifelong learning is key to the company’s continued prosperity.

“If you’re not regularly improving your knowledge and skills, then you risk not being able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of existing and potential clients, as well as stagnant business growth and possible failure,” she says.

This is a real possibility given the Toronto commercial cleaning industry is oversaturated, though M.C. Janitorial Systems is in a good position to actually gain more market share. With an established customer base that still includes Wycliffe and Tridel, as well as Tridel-

affiliate DelSuites, Bayview Summit Realty Inc., Metrus Properties Ltd. and Condor Properties Ltd., among others, the business service contractor has garnered a reputation for its strong work ethic, first-rate customer service, and well-trained and loyal staff, some of which have been with the company for upwards of four decades. Administrator Maria Toro is one such person.

Both Joe and Claudia consider her part of the family and recognize her years of service have contributed to the company’s overall achievements.

Today, M.C. Janitorial Systems main-

tains more than 2 million square feet of cleanable space in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Its clients span the commercial, industrial, condominium and hospitality sectors, with 20 per cent of business deriving from DelSuites’ corporate housing — a hotel alternative for business people travelling for an extended period of time, usually 30 days or more.

“In 2018, we hit a milestone of servicing about 400 of these furnished rental suites in the GTA,” notes Claudia.

Over the next five years, M.C. Janitorial Systems aims to strengthen its

foothold in the commercial building industry, specifically among medical office centres. While geographic growth is not a major goal at this time, Claudia says the company would entertain it if the right opportunity presented itself.

As for the company’s succession plan, there’s no finite date that Joe will officially hand over the reins, nor does he ever intend to not come into the office.

“Who created me will decide when I retire,” says the soon-to-be 83-yearold. “If you love what you’re doing and your mind still works, why stop? Age is just a number.” / www.REMInetwork.com / 11

/ spotlight /

ROBOTS FOR HIRE The fate of hotel housekeeping

by Micah Estis Green

R

emember Rosie from The Jetsons?

For those who don’t, she was the animated television show’s humanoid robot tasked with taking care of the futuristic family’s household duties.

At the time the series launched in the early ‘60s, the thought of a robot maid felt far away. Yet today, a robot similar to Rosie is on the horizon and may even be a reality in the next five to 10 years.

THE PERFECT STORM

While robots have been ‘working’ in factories and warehouses for decades, they have been mainly kept out of sight in sectors that don’t directly interact with the public. This, however, is changing. Robots are now being used in housekeeping and commercial cleaning, where they perform a variety of tasks from vacuuming to floor scrubbing to room service. In the next decade, it is expected that nearly every industry will be impacted by these autonomous machines just like the dawn of the Internet, and their 12 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

use in existing ones will only become more widespread.

Why? In the hospitality sector, operating expenses and hotel room supply are at an alltime high, with the number one variable cost being housekeeping, specifically the labour.

But without even looking at savings, hotels and commercial cleaning companies are facing a bigger issue: a labour crisis. The American Hotel and Lodging Association reports there are nearly 900,000 vacant hospitality positions, with a vast majority of those in housekeeping. On top of this, there are tens of thousands of hotel rooms under construction worldwide that will soon need housekeeping staff.

Operators are already struggling globally, even in the most populous regions like China. With nearly 1.4 billion inhabitants, the country’s biggest hotel brands are having difficulties filling these roles in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

General managers, front desk staff and even chefs have had to clean rooms in certain circumstances because without clean rooms, the hotels don’t have a product to sell guests.

At the same time that hotels have had to come to terms with a labour crisis, technology costs have drastically dropped, especially in the electronics market. Once specialized and sometimes rare to find, sensors and battery technologies have become more commoditized. This has directly impacted the price of robotics development, enabling companies to provide more attractive return on investment figures to prospective hospitality and commercial cleaning industry buyers.

Robots have also gained social acceptance in recent years. The return of R2D2 to the big screen and the success of movies featuring lovable robots like Wall-E, combined with the rise of consumer autonomous vacuum cleaners such as the Roomba, have helped robots’ cause.

CLEAN UP THIS MESS ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Clogged toilets. Overflowing receptacles. Paper towels on the floor. It all adds up to wasted time and wasted money. And it all can be eliminated.

Clean up your restrooms — and your budget — with XLERATOR® Hand Dryers.

877.692.3410 | exceldryer.com

/ spotlight /

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOT

While many in the hospitality and cleaning industries focus on the positive impact robots can have on efficiencies and cost savings, these machines offer many other benefits.

Robots can significantly reduce injuries and turnover. The U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that hotel room attendants, more widely known as housekeepers, have the highest rate of injury in the service sector and the second highest in the private sector after factory workers.

Injuries stem mainly from making beds and vacuuming. This not only impacts the attractiveness and retention rates of the role, but also has a huge impact on workers’ compensation and the quality of life of the room attendants. Housekeeping is physically intensive, so many room attendants feel exhausted at the end of the day and some even leave with sore backs, wrists or shoulders. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of a room attendant is 60

years old, which can also contribute to these figures.

Additionally, robots can increase consistency and guest satisfaction scores in hospitality operations. Robots are programmed to do specific tasks ‘as usual,’ adapting if the situation or environment changes. For example, some room attendants may vacuum 40 to 60 per cent of a guest room, whereas robots will clean 90 to 100 per cent of the same room without adding time to the operations. Increasing consistency in cleaning will not go unnoticed by hotel management and, most importantly, guests.

Robots can also have an impact on the environment. With consistency comes

more efficient usage of electricity and other power sources, which, in turn, saves operators money and allows them to better manage utilities.

On a more practical note, robots free up time for people to focus on more specialized tasks, creating greater opportunity for meaningful and enjoyable employment. Working alongside cleaning staff as opposed to replacing them, these autonomous machines can be programmed to vacuum a guest room while the attendant tends to the bathroom, for instance. Robots can quickly shift a traditionally serial process into a parallel one. /

Micah Estis Green is the founder, president and CEO of Maidbot, a robotics company whose mission is to bridge the gap between humans and robots. Maidbot is currently building the world’s first housekeeping robot for hotels. The safe and cost-efficient automated solution will decrease the time to clean rooms and public spaces while reducing work-related injuries and improving the room attendant and guest experience.

Micah can be reached at info@maidbot.com.

π OVER 2,600

Proud Supporter of:

JANITORIAL PRODUCTS IN STOCK

1-800-295-5510

ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING

14 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

M.C. Janitorial Systems

Product Solutions

Facility Solutions

Paper products & dispensers, hand hygiene, janitorial supplies, garbage bags, protective wear, entrance matting, and much more.

Our main goal is to identify and solve your facility maintenance issues in order to ensure that your environment is clean and efficient

416.635.1409 360 Signet Drive. Toronto, ON globalsanitation.com

Green Housekeeping Solutions

We focus on providing eco-friendly products to ensure a sustainable future with reduced environmental impact.

Equipment Repair Solutions

Clarke, Advance, Viper, Sanitaire, Centaur. All floor machine and Vacuum repairs are done in house or on site by our trained staff

NO VACANCY How to get rid of unwanted ‘guests’

by Alice Sinia

B

edbug sightings are common in big cities like Toronto, which is a hot spot for these blood-sucking insects.

They can thrive in almost any type of building, even on public transit, but hotels are particularly vulnerable because of the transient nature of their clients and the ease with which these pests travel in luggage and on clothing. While there is no Canadian data on the prevalence of bedbugs, a recent U.S. study found that 40 per cent of hotels surveyed had treated for bedbugs in the last month. On top of that, the average cost to remedy a single bedbug incident was more than $7,800.

Contrary to popular belief, bedbug infestations have nothing to do with hotel cleanliness or sanitation procedures. Instead, these small, flightless insects that are most often spotted on mattresses, couch cushions and other soft furniture are found wherever people interact. As a result, they cannot be completely prevented; however, early detection and treatment can protect hotels from widespread invasion and the ramifications, including lost revenue due to out of service rooms, the costs of replacing bedding and furniture, and a tarnished reputation.

Bedbugs multiply quickly and in just two months a handful of these pests can turn into a full-blown infestation if left untreated.

For this reason, it is necessary to constantly monitor and complete routine inspections.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Many associate bedbugs with the small, red

bumps that can occur when these pests bite.

While these bites can become inflamed in sensitive individuals and have a rash-like reaction that tends to appear in a line or zigzag pattern, not everyone responds to bedbug bites. That’s why it’s important to be aware of other signs of an infestation, including stains and cast skins.

After feeding, bedbugs return to their hiding places and leave behind brown or black stains on mattresses, linens and other furniture. These stains are created by their excrement or crushed bugs themselves.

As bedbugs develop from one life stage to the next, they shed their exoskeleton and leave the casing behind. These translucent skins are usually found in clusters around mattress seams, box springs, headboards, baseboards and other areas the pests might hide.

Then there are insect sightings themselves. Bedbug eggs are the size of a few grains of salt, while adult bedbugs are the size and shape of an apple seed.

Early detection is key to breaking the life cycle of bedbugs. The best way to catch a problem early and before it becomes bigger is to involve employees in the search.

Housekeeping staff should routinely inspect for bedbug warning signs when turning over guest rooms.

MISSION CONTROL

If evidence of bedbugs is found, the ensuing steps are crucial to keeping the infestation under control. First (and foremost), leave the room as it was found and call a pest management provider immediately.

Refraining from touching anything allows a professional to diagnose the situation and helps prevent staff from spreading the bedbugs to other rooms. Next, put the affected room out of service right away. The bedbugs could be hiding in adjacent rooms as well, so be extra cautious when inspecting these areas. When the pest management provider arrives, be sure to communicate where evidence of bedbugs was found. As well, ask the provider to determine whether the infestation is new or long-standing.

While there is no uniform procedure among hotels in the event of a bedbug infestation, there are several unwritten guidelines for facility owners, operators and staff that can be put in place to keep guests safe. Some include training staff on bedbug warning signs, documenting each step following a bedbug sighting, instructing guests to wash all clothing and notifying occupants in units adjacent to an infestation. If followed, these guidelines can prevent an infestation from establishing and spreading. /

Alice Sinia, Ph.D., is the quality assurance manager, regulatory/lab services, for Orkin Canada.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Alice’s focus is government regulations that pertain to the pest control industry, as well as providing technical support in pest/insect identification to Orkin branch offices and clients. Alice can be reached at asinia@orkincanada.com. www.REMInetwork.com / 15

Get an all-around clean with Clorox® Total 360®.

It’s the only disinfection solution that wraps around surfaces with electrically charged disinfectant to kill 23 pathogens in 2 minutes and cover up to 18,000 ft2 an hour.

Rethink disinfection.

Request your free demo at CloroxProfessional.ca

© 2018 The Clorox Company

nfect Disin

SPONSORED CONTENT

The power of prevention Think ahead this cold & flu season

It’s estimated that adults suffer from 2-5 colds per year, making it one of the leading causes of missed days at work.1 Considering this, there is good reason to keep disinfection practices top of mind all year round.

nfect The cost of being sick

Beyond the physical toll the cold and flu can have on an individual level, the financial burden is also great on Canadians as a whole.

• 1.5 million: The number of workdays lost each year due to the flu virus 2 • $1 billion: The estimated cost to the Canadian system due to the flu virus (in healthcare and lost productivity) 2 • $300 million: What Canadians spend each year on cold and flu virus treatments, making them the second most commonly used medications in Canada 3

Based on the numbers, it’s in everyone’s best interest to be proactive when it comes to the cold and flu.

Predictably unpredictable While we’ve come to expect colds and flu to hit at certain times of year, the reality is that pathogens don’t observe our calendar.

Anyone can catch a cold or flu at any time. And when a new flu strain takes society by surprise, the consequences can be significant on a global scale.4 Whether defending against a pandemic, dealing with seasonal outbreaks, or performing daily disinfection, safeguarding our environments plays an important role in protecting public health.

Disinfection as preventative measure Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that can carry pathogens should be part of any plan to not only combat cold and flu outbreaks but also to help avoid them.

As a prevention tactic recognized by Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Canada, the Government of Canada, and the CDC, it’s clear that proper cleaning and disinfection can help reduce the spread of these illnesses, especially in public settings. 5-7

Rethink disinfection. Here’s how.

If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it’s worthwhile to rethink the way we approach disinfection. Some things to keep in mind:

Check for kill claims Use Health Canada-registered disinfectants with a rhinovirus and influenza claim like Clorox ® germicidal bleach and hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants.

Think about use Choose a format that you and your team feel confident using, as improper use can compromise efficacy. Ready-to-use formats are advantageous as they reduce the room for error.

Stay regular Ensure regular and frequent cleaning and disinfecting, especially of high-touch surfaces, rather than managing incidents reactively.

Leave no surface uncovered Don’t let pathogens hide on the underside or back of surfaces.

Disinfect hard-to-reach surfaces with Clorox® Total 360 ® – the only disinfecting solution that wraps around surfaces to kill 23 pathogens in 2 minutes and cover up to 18,000 ft 2 an hour.

References: 1. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety. Common Cold. https://bit.ly/2R0xBK7. Accessed September 24, 2018. 2. Canadian Healthcare Influenza Immunization Network. Influenza Facts. https://bit.ly/2QY73ZF. Accessed September 24, 2018. 3. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services https://bit.ly/2Q69GY5. Accessed September 24, 2018.

4. World Health Organization. Pandemic Influenza: An Evolving Challenge. https://bit.ly/2NAXUbD. Accessed September 24, 2018. 5. Infection Prevention and Control Canada.

Seasonal Influenza, Avian Influenza and Pandemic Influenza. https://bit.ly/2QX4neU. Accessed September 24, 2018. 6. Government of Canada. Prevention of Flu (Influenza). https://bit.ly/ 2OQRphw. Accessed September 24, 2018. 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Flu: Preventive Steps. https://bit.ly/2dKjd7e. Accessed September 24, 2018.

Get your free Clorox® demo

Get in touch to arrange for a free demo of Clorox ® Total 360 ® and other Clorox ® disinfecting solutions at your facility. Our representative will help optimize your disinfection practices – for cold and flu season and beyond.

CloroxProfessional.ca | cleaning@clorox.com

© 2018 The Clorox Company

THE FUTURE IS NOW

Time to integrate autonomous cleaning solutions into the workforce

by Matt Fussy

18 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

/ flooring /

C

leaning robots have gone from the wave of the future to the must-have tools of today. Companies across North America have been testing autonomous cleaning solutions for the past few years but the turning point may have been last fall, when Walmart announced it would roll out an autonomous floor scrubber at 360 of its U.S. stores. (Since then, the big-box retailer has announced it is increasing this number and adding another 1,500 machines.)

The conditions spurring companies to seek reliable cleaning solutions with low labour requirements — growing worker shortage and ever-increasing pressure to boost productivity while cutting costs — are expected to continue, bringing major growth in the use of cleaning robots. According to a 2018 market research report, the cleaning robot market will more than double in the next few years, reaching $4.34 billion US by 2023.

NO DRIVER, NO PROBLEM

Cleaning robots, or autonomous cleaning equipment, are machines that don’t require the constant attention of an operator. Although autonomous equipment is being developed for all types of cleaning, floor care equipment, particularly floor scrubbers, represent the current biggest application of the technology.

Autonomous floor scrubbers use an array of cameras, sensors and lasers, along with powerful computer processors, to perform the same functions as a ride-on scrubber, just without the operator. The most advanced machines employ intelligent navigation so that they’re able to recognize unknown obstacles in their path and provide safe use in congested spaces. Modern features include the ability to map a specific cleaning path for replicable results, cleaning flexibility without special mapping and manual mode for ad hoc cleaning.

SMART SAVINGS WITH A.I.

For facility managers and building service contractors, autonomous cleaning solutions

provide an opportunity to save time and money on cleaning tasks. This is a major advantage for cleaning companies and their clients since labour can account for between 55 and 90 per cent of cleaning costs. Autonomous machines can handle repetitive tasks, as much as doubling productivity, which means cleaning staff can focus on higher value activities.

Terry Zerwas, director of buildings and grounds for the St. Michael-Albertville School District in Minnesota, has found their autonomous floor scrubber has saved significant labour hours each day.

Walmart predicts its machines will save two hours of employee time per location, per day.

As the technology advances and more robots become available, the potential savings will multiply. Industry experts estimate 40 per cent of the total professional cleaning market could eventually use autonomous solutions.

Cleaning robots can also provide a level of quality and consistency that human operators often struggle to achieve. Once a machine is programmed for a cleaning path, it will follow that exact path every time, adjusting for obstacles when necessary, which guarantees replication perfection. The equipment can also be set to automatically adjust water and detergent levels to reduce chemical usage and help companies achieve sustainability goals.

Cleaning robots also enhance the health and safety of cleaning staff by eliminating the ergonomic challenges associated with some manual equipment, as well as the risk of repetitive stress injuries.

LEARNING TO LOVE ROBOTS

Integrating autonomous equipment into the cleaning process requires careful planning

and execution, and because the technology is so new, it may take some extra time to become accustomed to the machines.

However, there are three things that will go a long way to helping ensure a seamless transition.

First, use state-of-the-art equipment.

Most major cleaning equipment manufacturers have autonomous solutions available but they’re not all created equal.

Features to look for include: flexibility of use; advanced sensing and navigation technology, which provides high-quality cleaning in challenging areas, such as around obstacles and close to walls and corners; an intuitive interface (required for employees’ acceptance of the machines); and operational data collection and management that companies can leverage to analyze and optimize their cleaning capabilities.

Next, assure cleaning staff that the robots aren’t there to take their jobs. One of the fears many people have surrounding any type of automation is that their roles will become redundant. In the case of cleaning equipment, this is typically not true. Most cleaning companies are understaffed or have trouble retaining employees, and their goal in adopting autonomous machines is to enhance, not replace, their current workforce. In fact, robots can improve human cleaning technicians’ job satisfaction by taking over the most boring, repetitive tasks.

Last, but certainly not least, provide training. Autonomous solutions don’t need a lot of training since operators aren’t required for use. But there are some functions, like defining a cleaning path, that do rely on operator input, at least at the beginning. For machines that can also be used in manual mode, training is needed for ad hoc cleaning tasks. /

Matt Fussy is director of product management, connected autonomous solutions, at Nilfisk, a supplier of professional cleaning equipment in the industrial, commercial and consumer markets.

www.REMInetwork.com / 19

ENTRY DENIED Mats key to keeping elements out

by Terry Trathen

A

properly designed matting system is the most effective and economical way to control the f low of dirt and moisture into a building. Typically, more than 80 per cent of the dirt found in a building tracks in through pedestrian doors. According to a study by the worldwide cleaning industry association, ISSA, it costs approximately $500 to remove one pound of dirt from a commercial facility. Over the course of a year, 200 people entering and exiting a building five days per week will track in more than 65 pounds of dirt. The dirt deposited by these people alone will cost a facility manager at least $32,500 annually to remove.

PRIDE OF PERKS

An efficient moisture-absorbent matting system that stops soil at the door has a ripple effect. Indoor air quality will improve since dirt and dust particles can’t spread throughout the building. The risk of slips, trips and falls — the second most costly occupational injury, according to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index — will be reduced.

MAXIMUM EFFECT

The optimal entrance matting system is composed of three styles of mats. Each style is designed to capture a different type of debris, ensuring the entire system prevents the 20 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

maximum amount of dirt from entering a building. Scraper mats are used just outside the entryway. They remove and trap coarse debris, such as gravel and ice melt pellets. Just inside the doorway, wiper/scraper mats capture sand and snow. Wiper mats are placed inside the building to remove fine dust and any remaining moisture.

LENGTH MATTERS

The cleaning effectiveness of a mat correlates directly to the number of steps people take on it. Because few people stop to actively wipe their feet, the mat needs to be long enough for people to walk-off dirt and moisture, and sufficiently robust to hold the volume of debris generated by foot traffic between cleanings. A low-traffic entrance needs at least 12 to 15 feet of proper matting. Higher traffic entrances attract more soil and require longer walk-off mats.

TAKE CARE

A mat is a debris-sponge, and even the best sponge will only hold so much. Once

a mat is saturated, it is no longer able to trap debris.

Typically, vacuuming and seasonal extraction is enough to maintain a matting system’s effectiveness. However, the frequency of maintenance depends on the amount of dirt, volume of traffic entering the building and source of the traffic.

If traffic comes from a street entrance, for instance, there will be higher levels of dirt and moisture than if it comes from a parking garage. Also, a small 24-hour entrance may see more traffic than a larger eight-hour entrance.

RENT OR OWN

Many facility managers grapple with whether it is more cost-effective to rent mats or to purchase them outright. If the building employs on-site janitorial staff or a cleaning contractor, then it is often better to own than rent. However, if there is no on-site maintenance, it may be simpler to rent since mats require regular cleaning. /

Terry Trathen is the Pitt Meadows, B.C., branch manager for Edgewood Matting Ltd. Edgewood Matting is the largest, fully stocked wholesale distributor of floor matting products in Canada. The company offers a range of products, including residential, commercial, industrial and fitness matting.

/ flooring /

ALL FLOORS EQUAL? Q+A: Let’s talk terrazzo

T

errazzo f loors are popular and for good reason. They’re a stylish alternative to concrete f loors (the colours and f lecks are customizable, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities) and, more importantly for facility managers, they’re durable and can be easy to maintain. However, like any type of f looring, terrazzo requires special care to keep it in tip-top shape.

Here, Charlotte Products’ Jim Flieler discusses the do’s and don’ts of caring for this composite f looring material.

How can facility managers best maintain terrazzo floors?

Frequently dust mop or vacuum f loors.

When grit is pounded into the f loor with foot traffic, it acts like an abrasive and can permanently stain and damage the f loor.

Also, use a good quality pH neutral cleaning solution and those explicitly manufactured for cleaning terrazzo floors. Often it is best to use all products from the same manufacturer/brand.

“A new terrazzo floor should be machine scrubbed regularly for two to three months to remove any construction dust or debris lodged in the floor.”

When working with a heavily soiled f loor, allow the cleaning solution to dwell for a few minutes to help loosen soils when using a wet mop or automatic f loor scrubber.

Terrazzo can be porous so it’s important to apply a nano densifier. This will fill the pores of the f loor, preventing some stains, strengthening the substrate and even reducing pitting.

A new terrazzo f loor should be machine scrubbed regularly for two to three months to remove any construction dust or debris lodged in the f loor.

Take advantage of f loor care programs designed specifically for terraz-

zo. These programs recommend products and procedures to follow when caring for this specific substrate. They eliminate the need to deep strip, scrub, seal, apply f loor finish or diamond grind the f loor again.

What mistakes should facility managers avoid?

Don’t use an all-purpose cleaner as it can damage terrazzo because of its pH, and never let cleaning solution dry on the f loor.

Failure to match a specific f loor care program to the needs of a facility can also have deleterious consequences. / www.REMInetwork.com / 21

BLEMISH BUSTER Best practices for identifying, removing carpet discolouration

by Lee Senter

C

arpet maintenance is the single most important factor that will determine the long-term appearance of an installation. It involves cleaning of soils, and spot and stain removal.

Spot and stain removal on textiles is an art. The goal is to eliminate as much unwanted matter and discolouration without changing the texture of the yarns. The standard of care for the carpet cleaning industry is ANSI/IICRC S100, Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings.

This standard defines a spot as foreign material on the surface of a fibre that usually changes its texture, making the fibre sticky, oily, greasy or stiff. Spots can usually be removed but some, if left untreated for too long, can become stains.

The definition of a stain is the addition of colour, frequently in liquid 22 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

or pigment form, that has been more strongly attracted to the carpet fibre.

This added pigment may bind to a dye site and actually alter the structure of the fibre. Not all stains respond positively to removal efforts.

SPOT ON

Identifying the origin of a spot or stain is key to successful removal.

The first step in this process is to simply ask the end user. Oddly enough, the end user may lie about the origin as it’s a source of embarrassment. As a result, it is common for cleaning staff to not know what caused the spot or stain.

Next, look at the texture of the spot and its shape. If the spot was caused by something oily or gooey food, then

the stickiness of the substance will attract dry soil and cure hard. Oil-based spots are also typically irregularly shaped, while ‘water-based’ spots have rounded edges and are relatively circular in shape.

If still unsure of the origin, add a drop of water to the spot and give it a sniff.

When it’s time to remove, first try vacuuming the spot extensively. In many cases, this proves successful. Otherwise, use a dry white cloth and rub the spot lightly, watching for soil transfer. If there is no transfer, repeat the process with a little alkaline spot remover on the cloth. On the occasion that there’s still no transfer, use a waterless dry solvent or gel on the cloth and rub the spot lightly again. Once transfer is identified, work on the spot starting from the outside of it and moving toward the middle.

/ flooring / DYE JOB

The toughest spots are usually referred to as stains that ‘stay in’ the carpet fibre. These discolourations usually include some kind of dye. Food-grade dyes found in soda pop, energy drinks, popsicles and other foods with artificial colourants are acid dyes that adhere to the carpet fibre by a positive-negative attraction. The other dyes commonly found on carpet are natural substantive dyes, often called tannins, which are found in tea, coffee, wine and fruits.

Most carpet cleaning chemical manufacturers have specialized products (often comprised of two parts that must be mixed on-site) to remove acid dye stains. These products are commonly referred to as red stain removers or juice removal products.

They are reducing agents that strip oxygen molecules out of the stain, rendering it invisible.

The cleaning industry typically uses oxidizing agents on natural substantive dye stains. Oxidizers add oxygen to the stain, which destroys the colourant and removes the discolouration. These oxidizers are found in one and two part products. Both have a shelf life, so they should be bought fresh and used within a year of purchase for best performance.

Oil-based spots are typically irregularly shaped, while ‘water-based’ spots have rounded edges and are relatively circular in shape.

With any specialized dye removal process, the stain removal chemistry can be accelerated with the heat of an iron or steamer.

Always add the spot remover to a cloth first and then apply the cloth directly to the spot.

There are three steps to successful stain removal. First, remove as much excess spot residue as possible with low moisture cleaning removal techniques.

Next, administer the appropriate chemical to the stain and extract by blotting with a cloth. Then, apply an absorbent towel, dry powder or crystallizing encap-

sulation shampoo to the spot. Often, this step is not performed because the stain has been removed by this point. However, skipping it is to the carpet’s detriment as the source of the stain still resides at the base of the yarns. If too much water is left in the carpet, it can cause wickback of soils from the base of the carpet fibres and rapid re-soiling of the carpet.

The best way to prevent this is to use encapsulation spot cleaning chemistries available from most carpet cleaning supply houses. /

James (Lee) Senter is the owner of Fresh & Clean, an IICRC-approved instructor for the carpet cleaning technician (CCT) and commercial carpet maintenance technician (CCMT) certification programs, and a certified independent carpet inspector. He is also an industry veteran with more than 40 years’ experience in the carpet cleaning business. Lee can be reached at info@freshandclean.ca.

INDUSTRY BEST PRODUCTS

ServClean® Drain CL ServClean ® Drain CL is a non acid, powder formulation that cleans and eliminates odors. On contact with the water in your drain trap, this product expands to cover all surfaces above, below and in the trap, leaving behind clean, sanitary, odor free drains. Drain CL treats up to 60 drains per bottle (2.84kg), is safe for all pipes and has no dye or fragrance. This specially formulated powder was developed for ease of use while maintaining worker health and safety and peak efficacy.

Learn more at www.charlotteproducts.com

Looking to reach a nationwide audience?

Include your product(s) in Facility Cleaning & Maintenance’s newest advertising feature — Industry Best Products!

Specifically designed to get your new/specialty products in front of those who matter most, this special section is also sure to raise your brand awareness.

For more information on this exclusive opportunity, contact director and group publisher Sean Foley at seanf@mediaedge.ca or 416-512-8186 ext. 225.

SPONSORED CONTENT

THE FUTURE IS FRIENDLY WITH NILFISK The future of floorcare has arrived Combining over 100 years of cleaning knowhow and advanced robotics technology, the Nilfisk Liberty SC50 has the power to multiply the effectiveness of any cleaning program.

An array of 3D, 2D, infrared and depth sensors works in union with powerful computer processors enabling the machine to handle repetitive tasks with consistent performance, safely and with a minimum of training.

Our autonomous floorcare solution Liberty SC50 will transform the productivity of your cleaning program and allow you to re-allocate time normally spent manually operating a scrubber to higher value tasks.

“Machine for Today, Technology for Tomorrow�

SPONSORED CONTENT

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANING IN A PUBLIC FACILITY Many building owners and managers still view cleaning as a “cost.” But cleaning should be regarded as an investment. It helps improve team spirit, enhances worker productivity, improves employee attendance, helps protect building assets, and when viewed in dollars-andcents terms, cleaning pays for itself many times over.

Those are big, bold statements on the value of effective cleaning. So, just to prove our point, let’s examine some studies on the benefits of cleaning, and we’ll let you decide if cleaning is a cost or investment.

Improved Productivity According to ISSA, the worldwide cleaning association, one of the many benefits of a clean facility is the decrease of harmful contaminants in the indoor environment. A clean and hygienic facility gives building occupants a visual comfort level and reduces potential

Nilfisk Canada

risks that may be associated with buildings that are not as clean.

locations so that private discussions can be kept private.

And this can result in dollars-and-cents savings.

For instance, ISSA notes employees’ productivity levels were found to be heavily influenced by the cleanliness of the facility they worked in.

To help trim costs, the insurance company decided to do two things:

Preserving Building Assets A major North American insurance company installed carpet in their hundreds of office locations. The carpet had to be cleaned once or twice per year and in most cases, only lasted roughly three or four years. Maintaining and replacing the carpet cost the insurance company hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

The insurance company toyed with the idea of removing the carpet, but found that when they did so, agents and customers felt a lack of privacy discussing their insurance needs. Carpet helps quiet

240 Superior Blvd, Mississauga, ON L5T 2L2 Phone: 800-668-8400 | Fax: 800-263-5111 Email: info@nilfisk-advance.ca Website: www.nilfisk.ca

•

•

They cut the carpet cleaning frequencies to about once per year, hoping to save thousands of dollars every year.

They hired a cleaning consultant to suggest ways to help them find a way to keep the carpet lasting longer.

To their surprise, the cleaning consultant advised the company that they needed to increase cleaning frequencies, not decrease them. Reluctantly, the insurance company followed his advice and set up a pilot program. In a select number of locations, instead of carpet being cleaned just once per year, it was cleaned two, three, and in some cases, four times per year depending on carpet soiling.

After two years, the insurance company analyzed the outcomes. What they found was that the carpet cleaned more frequently was now lasting five to seven years, instead of only three. This meant the carpet did not have to be replaced as often which resulted in the insurance company saving thousands of dollars annually.

This result was mirrored in studies by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). They found that a planned carpet maintenance program that involves more frequent carpet cleaning extends a carpet’s useful life, “well beyond the manufacturer’s estimated life cycle, ultimately paying for itself in deferred replacement costs.”

Nilfisk can help with all your facility cleaning needs, visit us at www.nilfisk.ca to learn more.

/ restrooms /

LOVE AT FIRST FLUSH Waterless urinals save green, easy to keep clean

by Klaus Reichardt

W

ater rates in most of Canada have traditionally been some of the lowest in the Western world. However, a change is afoot. Fees are on the rise in many provinces.

Why? Current charges no longer cover the costs to gather, treat, deliver and remove water.

Also, because water has been essentially underpriced, many provinces have delayed upgrading infrastructure. This is no longer an option in several regions.

As a result, many facilities have moved to waterless or no-flush urinals. These urinals, which look like their conventional counterparts, have the potential to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars in water charges annually.

Cost-savings aren’t their only benefit.

Waterless urinals have no mechanical parts like flush valves to repair; are less prone to vandalism since they’re not equipped with a flush handle or mechanism that may be broken or stolen; are often less expensive to purchase and install than traditional urinals, requiring no special plumbing beyond a standard two-inch drain just like water-using units; are often cited as more hygienic and having fewer odour issues; and can save up to 35,000 gallons of water each year. Also, some no-water urinals allow direct access to 26 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

the drain line to remove a clog, helping to reduce plumbing costs.

No-water and conventional urinals are cared for in much the same way. However, there are some key differences starting with the cartridge that’s placed at the base of a waterless unit. This cartridge prevents sewer odours from being released into the restroom.

Typically, it’s filled with three ounces of sealing liquid. Installation is relatively straightforward. The urinal trap is designed with a locking mechanism to secure the cartridge to the unit, though some cartridges simply require a ‘press and fit’ to affix to the urinal.

In most cases, the cartridge should be refilled twice per month. With time and urinal use, it will need to be replaced just like a car air filter after a set number of kilometres. Depending on the cartridge, it may last anywhere from three to six months. Keeping a log is helpful to track sealant refills and cartridge replacement. (Offensive odours are usually an indication there’s not adequate sealing liquid in the trap or it’s time to

change the cartridge.) Cartridge removal is simple as most manufacturers provide a tool to undertake this task.

Similar to a traditional urinal, the most effective way to clean a no-water unit is to use a disinfectant cleaner spray. Simply apply to all surfaces of the urinal and then allow it to ‘dwell’ for a few minutes before wiping.

‘Dwell’ is the amount of time that a surface must remain wet to allow the disinfectant to be in contact with any organisms in order to kill them. Proper instructions will be listed on the product label.

If using these solutions separately, cleaning is a two-step process. First, spray the urinal with the cleaner and wipe away. Then, spray the disinfectant on the urinal and allow for dwell time before wiping.

Cleaning of urinals should be done on a daily basis. But, unlike conventional units, no water is necessary for the cleaning process, nor is scrubbing. This is because deposits (water or otherwise) rarely build up on these types of urinals. /

Klaus Reichardt is the founder and managing partner of Waterless Co. Based in Vista, Calif., the company was created to establish a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Its principal product, the no-flush urinal, works entirely without water.

CANADA 2019 June 11-13, 2019 Metro Toronto Convention Centre The ISSA Show Canada 2019 is an exciting, first-of-its-kind, milestone that’s already begun to unite like-minded professionals interested in connecting and learning how to keep buildings clean, green and operating in a sustainable and energy-efficient fashion.

From sanitary maintenance products to HVAC, electrical, furnishings and building products to security, financial and IT services and systems, the ISSA Show Canada promises access to a complete continuum of resources for the “built environment”.

Multiple educational sessions and workshops will reinforce best practices and tackle challenging issues, including provincial minimum wage adjustments, infection control, strategic business practices, and more.

To become a delegate, register today for the ISSA Show Canada at www.canadashow.issa.com/register For sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Chuck Nervick, Senior Vice President, MediaEdge 416-512-8186 x 227 chuckn@mediaedge.ca Proudly Owned and Operated by:

CANADA 2019 June 11-13, 2019 Metro Toronto Convention Centre

www.REMInetwork.com / 27

/ restrooms /

POTTY PARITY Cleaning gender-neutral restrooms often on par with traditional toilet facilities

by Robert Kravitz

C

anada’s most populous city is flush with unisex washrooms, or so says a report by the country’s largest daily newspaper. According to the Toronto Star, a number of bars, restaurants and coffee shops have replaced traditional men’s and women’s restrooms with unisex ones that can be used by either gender at the same time.

While the Star’s word choice of ‘flush’ is not exactly accurate, the city is home to many gender-neutral washrooms, with one of the newest found in Yorkdale shopping centre. But despite the growing popularity of these toilet facilities, it’s still unclear whether they’re a fad or permanent fixture.

What’s certain, though, is that not everyone is comfortable using all-gender public washrooms.

A sociological study conducted at a conference in Chicago of unisex restrooms found that both men and women hesitated entering when faced with the gender-neutral washroom sign. Further, in most instances, the men did not use them, leaving in search of a traditional restroom.

Regardless of personal preference, unisex public toilets are here and they need to be cleaned.

Some surmise more time is needed to maintain these types of restrooms; however, this is not necessarily the case.

28 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

“Men have a real understanding of the importance of bathroom cleanliness,” says psychologist Emma Kenny. “(They are) instinctively protective and territorial, and these natural predilections could well be why they take care when using their own and others’ toilets.”

In support of Kenny’s stance, a 2015 study found that 77 per cent of the male participants cleaned the toilet seat before using it, with half taking the time to clean it again after they were done. Compare that with women. Just 59 per cent cleaned the toilet seat before using it, and only approximately 40 per cent cleaned it again afterwards. These findings support many custodial workers’ claims that women’s washrooms get more soiled, and need more care and attention than men’s.

So, if both men and women are using the same washroom, it’s likely that it will be no less and no more difficult to keep clean than a traditional public restroom.

Regardless of washroom type (men’s, women’s or unisex), Mike Watt, director of training and new product development at Avmor, says the best approach to restroom maintenance is to thoroughly clean surfaces and fixtures with an all-purpose cleaner followed by a general disinfectant.

He adds that it’s important the disinfectant has a drug identification number, or DIN. This eight-digit number, assigned

by Health Canada, verifies the product has been tested and proven effective.

Watt also recommends using ‘green’ disinfectants over traditional ones, whenever possible.

“Many times, these products are made with hydrogen peroxide, which is surface safe and non-toxic,” explains Watt. “As well, they meet Health Canada’s stringent standards and criteria, and have a reduced impact on the user and the environment.”

When choosing a disinfectant, environmentally friendly or not, Watt cautions not to select a product based on price. Instead, focus on the dilution ratios.

“Some disinfectants work well with only a small amount of chemical. So, a product may initially be more expensive but the savings will materialize with use.”

To ensure optimal cleaning results, Watt says it’s important to change disinfectants regularly to avoid bacteria becoming immune to the ingredients. He suggests working with a distributor to identify the best time to switch it up, as well as to select the most effective product for the application. /

Robert Kravitz is a frequent writer for the professional cleaning industry.

/ clean matters /

TRAIN OF THOUGHT Harnessing the benefits of a global community through designations, certification

by Don Gilpin

T

he facility management umbrella covers a wide variety of sub-specialties, skillsets and responsibilities. From cleaning and maintenance to workplace strategy and sustainability, it has been a significant challenge for those involved in the industry to find common cause and a unified profession.

At the same time, the expectation that facility management, in all its variety, deliver peak performance has only grown more urgent. Organizations of every size and scope have turned to facilities and the people who run them to gain a competitive advantage, whether it’s through increased efficiency, cor-

porate responsibility to employees and society, or even to gain an edge in recruiting top talent.

With higher expectations, the shortcomings of a fractured industry can no longer be sustained. Different protocols between regions of the world, organizations and even buildings within the same company pose a significant barrier to achieving effective strategic facility management objectives. Moreover, this discontinuity means that facility management skills learned in one job aren’t necessarily transferable to another and that businesses looking to hire talent face huge expenses associ-

ated with training staff to the unique approach in every new facility.

Fortunately, in recent years, a truly global facility management industry has begun to emerge and with it worldwide standards based on data-driven best practices. The very first global International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for facility management were introduced in 2017, with new ones added in 2018.

The unification of the facility management industry is, for the first time, creating a sense of shared identity that transcends the myriad of backgrounds and titles. A community is developwww.REMInetwork.com / 29

/ clean matters /

A 2018 study found that 70 per cent of organizations rate credentialled employees as having statistically significantly higher performance, with the average credential resulting in a more than 40 per cent increase.

ing where new facility management programs are popping up at colleges and universities around the world, and there are more options for professional development by way of training programs, credentials and certifications.

With community comes a shared professional language and transferable skills, which helps people advance in the industry and organizations find the talent they need.

In this context, the question for those involved in facility management becomes: How does one acquire and master the knowledge and skillsets of the profession, and then demonstrate that knowledge to potential employers?

The solution is obtaining professional credentials and certification. Pick a facility management-related organization and look at the people on the board of directors. Many of them have professional designations listed after their names. These are both the cause of, and the reason for, their elevation into roles of leadership in their industries.

Designations represent a standing in a profession. The International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) suite of professional credentials and certifications, for example, are based on a regular empirical study of facility tasks and responsibilities, called the global job task analysis. Recent results identified 11 core competency areas for the modern facility manager and are the framework around which educational and assessment materials are built. Accordingly, they become the delivery mechanism for professionals to learn global professional standards.

Displaying them through post-nominal designations or, more recently, digital badging tells peers and employers they have mastered that body of work.

30 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / APRIL 2019

USING CREDENTIALS TO CLIMB THE LADDER

The benefits to both individuals and the organizations that hire them have been empirically demonstrated. A 2017 survey of IFMA’s credential recipients found a $15 US return for every $1 US spent on professional development over a five-year period. That return on investment resulted from better job opportunities and higher salaries culminating from being able to demonstrate knowledge and skills.

Like many working in facility management, Don Parris didn’t begin there. As a contract security officer, he caught the eye of the facility manager at his current company and was encouraged to pursue a Facility Management Professional, or FMP, credential to assist a career shift. Paid for out of his own pocket, Parris worked through the training books and earned his credential in 2010. He credits the FMP designation with laying a foundation for his new career, as he shifted to a facility services coordinator role in 2013.

But he wasn’t done there. As Parris grew in his new role, he wanted more responsibility. This time, with the support of his employer, he sought to continue his professional development with a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designation. After passing the test in 2018, Parris posted his certification on a social media platform geared to professionals. The response from his network was almost immediate.

For Parris, like many of his peers, patience and hard work paid off, first by learning a new trade and then through demonstrating his experience — all through professional designations. Today, he is the facility manager at National Gypsum Co.,

a role he credits in part to training investments in his own career.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY WITH LETTERS

The advantages of professional development to harness the benefits of industry best practices and standards are not limited to individuals. Another study, this one in 2018, found that 70 per cent of organizations rate credentialled employees as having statistically significantly higher performance, with the average credential resulting in a more than 40 per cent increase.

To understand why, consider the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., which was among the first to realize the benefits of unification through standardization. A facility management staff of 300 was charged with operations in 45 separate buildings (6.2 million square feet), each with its own standards and reporting structures. Fragmentation was so pervasive that a facility manager from one building couldn’t fill in for another elsewhere on the campus.

Turning to IFMA, the facility management team sought training to standardize its approach. In a few short years, staff had earned more than 90 FMP and 40 Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) credentials. With the training came efficiencies as facility management professionals across the organization began to speak the same professional language and understand their role in the larger picture. This has already saved $2.1 million US, and is expected to save $15 million US over five years since the training program was first introduced. /

Don Gilpin is chief operating officer for the International Facility Management Association.

PURELL® Brand HEALTHY SOAP TM * Reaches into skin’s cracks and crevices to remove more dirt and germs than regular soap.1,2,3 Remarkably mild, free of harsh preservatives and antibacterial ingredients.4 Good for you and the environment.

PURELLR ES8 Dispensing System with Breakthrough Energy-on-the-Refill Technology Say goodbye to the two biggest service issues — dead batteries and empty refills. Each new AT-A-GLANCE™ refill comes with a coin cell battery, so ES8 is always ready when you need it.

Game-Changing Innovation in Dispensing & Formulation To see the complete PURELL SOLUTIONTM, visit www.PURELLSOLUTION.ca/info.

*Cleans & Moisturizes Augustine Scientific, Newbury OH, Ex Vivo Soil Removal Analysis, August 5, 2017.

BioScience Laboratories, Inc.; Bozeman, MT, Study# 1707304-101, Evaluation of In-Vivo Germ Removal, August 22, 2017.

All references to regular soap are based on our top-selling non-antibacterial soap.

4 Does not contain an antibacterial soap active ingredient.

1

2

3

C 2019. GOJO Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. | 28092 (4/2019)

The one stop shop you’ve been looking for

JANITORIAL & SANITATION

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE BUILDING MATERIALS PAINT & COATINGS GUEST ROOM HARDWARE ELECTRICAL PLUMBING SAFET Y TOOLS homehardware.ca