Spartan News © Spartan Chemical Company, Inc 1999

Spartan Chemical Company, Inc.
1110 Spartan Drive, Maumee OH 43537
Phone: (800) 537-8990
www.spartanchemical.com

Training Information

FLOOR MAINTENANCE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

Procedures:

I. Planning

A. Maintaining resilient tile floor requires a balance of procedure, materials, and frequency.

1. Prolong intervals between floor stripping and refinishing by ability of staff to:

a. Observe wear patterns

b. Respond to emergencies

c. Diagnose potential problems

B. Identify traffic patterns and tailor procedures and frequency to suit your needs.

1. Floor plan of facility shows areas of highest wear:

a. Entrances

b. Hallway intersections

c. Cafeteria

d. Vending areas

e. Time clock

II. Mat Protection

A. Entrances receive most abuse during inclement weather.

1. Protective matting inside and outside providing greatest protection against:

a. moisture

b. ice melting compounds

c. soil and stones

2. Mats should be long enough to clean both feet twice

3. Recommended type of matting

a. Weatherproof, brush action matting outside the building.

b. Non-curling, non-slip matting for interior.

4. Spray interior mats lightly with dust mop/dust cloth treatment

a. Increases dirt attraction properties

b. Provides detergency when the mats are cleaned.

III. Dust Mopping.

A. Daily dry mopping is first step in floor care, using non-oil treated dust mop to maintain appearance.

1. Brooms are not recommended in health care facilities

a. They circulate and redistribute soil and bacteria in air.

B. Most efficient motions for dust mopping are:

1. Long parallel overlapping strokes in hallways

2. Side to side motion with a figure "S" in patient rooms, maintaining one leading edge at all times.

3. Rotating the head of the dust mop will deposit soil at each turn.

4. Avoid striking or flicking furniture...this will dislodge soil.