your guide to cleaning ceramic floors
TRANSCRIPT
TR A F F I C CO N D I T I O N S D I C TAT E F LO O R CA 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.
Performance Systems Janitorial Supply
offers high-quality refurbished machines
that have been tested by trained
technicians. In addition to machines, PS
Janitorial provides operating assistance,
as well as parts, rentals, and repair
services. Contact a consultant to find the
most productive, easy-to-operate, and
safest machine to meet your needs.
Website: http://www.psjanitorial.com
Phone: 1-800-747-5096
SOURCES
1. http://www.bir.org/industry/plastics/
2. http://www.bir.org/industry/plastics/
3. http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/plastics.htm
4. http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recycling_facts_and_stats
5. http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recycling_facts_and_stats
6. http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/plastics.htm
7. http://www.bir.org/industry/plastics/
8. 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.