Floor Care Systems
Floor sealers, finishes, strippers and maintainers generally need to be used as a complete system for maximum effectiveness. Restorative floor care operations will occur on an as-needed basis, not on a predetermined frequency schedule. Green Seal certified product systems (Green Seal Environmental Standard for Industrial and Institutional Floor Care Products, GS-40) will be utilized. In addition, the following options will guide the FMO Green Cleaning Program in hard surface floor care:
- When possible, do not seal or finish floors (i.e. natural stone floors, concrete, etc.). Unfinished floors do not require stripping and re-application of sealer or finish, eliminate the need for costly maintenance procedures, and are typically more slip-resistant.
- If finish is required (i.e. floor type, floor protection, appearance), then a Green Seal certified system should be used. FMO will continue to evaluate new Green Seal certified floor care systems as they become available. Note: environmentally preferred floor care systems should be phased in at application. Since removal of all previous product is required prior to application, which means disposing of all the generated waste, it is best to exhaust the life cycle of the currently applied product and only then replace with an environmentally preferred product.
- The use of a dust collection mechanism is recommended for high speed burnishers.
- Notice of restorative maintenance operations will be given to building occupants. Restorative maintenance operations will occur during times of minimum building occupancy.
- Autoscrubber or mop-on restoration products will be used in lieu of spay chemicals.
- Recycled content scrubbing and burnishing pads should be used.
- Equipment will be selected and utilized properly to minimize water use. Staff will be trained in such procedures.
- Orbital scrubbing/stripping machines that do not require the use of a chemical stripper and minimize water use should be used as appropriate.
- Autoscrubbers that use electrolyzed water as a cleaning agent instead of cleaning chemicals should be used as appropriate.
- Autoscrubbers should be equipped with chemical control system to regulate chemical use. Machines should be low-water use (up to 70%), low-chemical use (up to 90%) and have a noise level of less than 70dBA.
- Environmentally friendly equipment batteries should be used (i.e. gel and AGM).
Contact Us
For information contact Jason Luke, Associate Director of Custodial and Support Services at 617-495-7847, or email jason_luke at harvard dot edu
