Product Solutions
Jun 1, 2009 12:00 PM
Cleaning success story
Flooring challenges are handled systematically
Pro-Team
The University of Massachusetts (UMASS), Amherst, poses daunting challenges to the cleaning staff. Daily, 30,000 to 35,000 people use the seven buildings, which cover 537,237 square feet. It is a diverse combination of spaces, and flooring is a mix of vinyl, stone and carpeting.
Because the public buildings of UMASS are open seven days a week with extended hours and have heavy foot traffic, Jim Motyka, auxiliary services supervisor, and his staff have to work day and night to keep up. The department has a staff of 76 full-timers and other part-time student employees.
Keeping pace required a plan. UMASS began using a program created by a Salt Lake City-based company called ManageMen that has a systematic approach to cleaning. Called Operating System 1 (OS1), this comprehensive cleaning process is designed to increase overall building cleanliness, reduce costs, cut waste and improve custodian safety. OS1 uses ProTeam Super CoachVac backpacks, equipped with advanced Four Level Filtration and a large, 10-quart filter capacity for the most demanding cleaning jobs.
"Understanding what the OS1 system does to the indoor built environment and how connected each part is to cleaning for health was an important step to working better," says Moytka. "Our annual audits from ManageMen reveal that we've received 84 percent or better scores, which means we are cleaning in a healthier and a greener environment."
OS1 is a green cleaning process that uses four GS-37 daily-use chemicals. The hard-floor maintenance program uses micro-fiber flat mops paired with dual-sided split buckets. As a result, floors need to be stripped only every five to 10 years. Additional benefits include inventory reductions, and chemical packets go to the incinerator instead of becoming landfill.
Moytka sees green with his fleet of Super CoachVacs, too. Before the backpacks, the staff used uprights on carpets and dust mops, Kentucky string mops and auto scrubbers on hard floors. Switching to backpacks has been a big part of the cleaning success story at UMASS, and with the proper training, the staff quickly accepted them as a better cleaning tool for a more healthful and safer work environment.
Select the June 2009 issue RSN number 165 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Energy-conserving spirit
Demand response system contributes to a more sustainable campus
EnergyConnect
Founded in 1896 as the National Farm School, Delaware Valley College is a private, four-year, coeducational college situated on more than 570 acres in Bucks County, Pa., 35 miles north of Philadelphia. The school offers more than 40 academic programs including counseling psychology, criminal justice, business administration, equine studies, conservation and wildlife, small animal science and horticulture.
The college first was introduced to EnergyConnect's demand-response programs in 2006, when the school enrolled in a voluntary program to reduce electricity use during times of peak demand or high energy prices. The money that the college has earned by participating in demand response has been integral to the funding of a broad range of activities and capital improvements that contribute to a more sustainable campus.
"Partnering with EnergyConnect's demand response has revolutionized the way we manage our energy consumption, allowing us to reduce our overall energy use and generate new cash streams that can be directed towards future energy-efficiency efforts," says Ted Staniewicz, director of physical plant operations.
Enrollment in the program is credited for creating a campuswide spirit of energy conservation that continues to gain momentum and generate income.
As part of its load-shedding strategy, the system enables the campus' automated temperature controls for chillers and fans to shed load in response to a curtailment event. The automatic pumps for the campus' 50,000-gallon water tower also can be switched to an emergency generator during times of peak electricity demand.
To achieve even more load shedding, Staniewicz sends out a campuswide e-mail alert requesting that students and faculty turn off all unneeded equipment, such as lighting, copying machines and coffee pots. The campus response has exceeded expectations and led to more than double the projected earnings.
Select the June 2009 issue RSN number 167 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
