but
concrete floors are installed in and around all kinds of
facilities and these floors are used for the most practical—as
well as unusually decorative—reasons.
Historically, concrete or cement floors are most
commonly found in warehouses and industrial facilities. However,
in the past decade, designers have added paint, dyes, and
designs to them and we now find these floors in such areas as
lobbies, gyms, and hallways.
Furthermore, one Colorado high school recently
decided to “Green” their facility by removing all carpets and
tile floors and replacing them with colored cement. And, this is
only one of many efforts where cement/concrete floors have
helped a facility’s Green initiatives.
For BSCs, whether maintaining and cleaning
carpets, tile, or concrete, it is vital to have a complete
understanding of the products and the task at hand. When it
comes to concrete/cement floor maintenance, it is best to take
an “outside-in” approach.
Years ago, visitors often
balked at the dirty conditions of New York City’s streets and
sidewalks. However, in the past 15 years, there has been a
significant improvement in the cleanliness of the city. One
reason for this change is that many areas, specifically the
concrete sidewalks, plazas, and walkways, are pressure cleaned
just about every night.
This helps remove grime, soil,
grease, and gum buildup on the surface of the concrete as well
as in crevices and cracks on a daily basis. In some situations,
the facility’s building service contractor (BSC) will pressure
wash these areas, in other situations it is contracted out to
another vendor.
Industrial outdoor pressure
wash equipment generates 2,000 to more than 3,000 psi and has a
flow rate of 2.4 to 3 gallons per minute (gpm) with a 5- to 7-hp
gasoline engine. A machine of this size will provide power and
portability, allowing BSCs to transport it from site to site and
not take up too much storage room.
When selecting power washing
equipment, BSCs should match their needs with as high a psi and
gpm specification as possible and select a machine that is
within the pressure range mentioned earlier. They should also
consider the size of the unit—too large and it can be difficult
to store and transport. For only occasional use, it might be
more cost effective to rent a unit or even subcontract the
service to an outside vendor. For all practical purposes, more
than 3,000 psi on the typical jobsite is considered overkill.
Interior Concrete
Caring for indoor
concrete/cement floors can be a bit more complicated. If the
cement has been painted, it usually means a protective coating
or sealant has been applied. This helps protect it from liquids,
condensation, soil, chemicals, and wear and tear, similar to a
floor finish on a typical hard surface floor.
In this case, the floors
should be cleaned with a neutral floor cleaner, one that will
not interfere with the surface’s sealant or the paint. If floor
machines and automatic scrubbers are used to clean/scrub the
floor, softer pads or brushes should be applied to protect the
coating.
In other cases, the cement
will have no sealant, coating, or special protectant applied to
its surface. This is common in warehouse and industrial
facilities. And, since these are usually large facilities, a
ride-on or walk-behind automatic scrubber is mandatory to remove
dust, dirt, soils, chemical residue, grease, and other
contaminants.
BSCs should be cautious when
selecting automatic scrubbers for large industrial concrete
floors. For instance, the machine should allow excellent
visibility of the clean path to prevent accidents. Some
automatic scrubbers also have parabolic squeegee systems that
have greater flexibility, deliver enhanced solution recovery,
and allow the concrete floor to dry more quickly. And, because
bare concrete floors can be uneven, porous, and have seams and
cracks, in some situations a cylindrical brush floor machine is
ideal.
Instead of pads, these
machines use brushes, which can reach below the top surface of
the floor to loosen and remove soils and contaminants.
Additionally, some automatic cylindrical machines have a
“pre-sweep” feature that allows for simultaneous pick up of dry
debris during wet cleaning.
Other issues to be considered:
• Frequency of cleaning: This
may be a corporate decision, determined by the baseline
cleanliness necessary for the facility. However, in food
service, electronic, and other types of facilities, the cleaning
frequency for concrete floors may be daily. Another factor
involved in the frequency of cleaning is dust control.
Dustier facilities will need
to be cleaned more frequently to protect workers, work areas,
and products.
• Walk-behind or ride-on
machine: As a general rule, a walk-behind machine will meet
cleaning requirements in facilities up to 75,000 square feet,
with aisles less than 6 feet wide. However, for larger spaces, a
ride-on is preferable.
• Operator skill: The
proficiency and training of the cleaning technician is key to
satisfactory floor upkeep, cleanliness, and safety. In many
situations, automatic scrubber manufacturers will provide safety
tip and operational instructional materials, and most
distributors will provide product demonstrations and training
with the sale of the automatic scrubbers. It is essential that
cleaning technicians understand the educational materials and
attend these training programs.
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