- Carpet Performance
- Start with the right carpet choices that lead to the best end-use carpet performance.
- 1. Specifications — Was the carpet properly specified in relation to the intended use
- of the carpet at its location?
- 2. Color Selection — Was the proper color selected to meet traffic conditions,
- intensity of sunlight. etc.?
- 3. Installation — Was the carpet installed accordin to CRi’ s Standard for
- Installation Specification of Commercial Carpet ? (CRI- 104)
- 4. Maintenance — Has a scheduled maintenance plan been devised to serve the
- needs of the location?
- Carpet performance is directly related to specification, installation and proper
- maintenance. When the right style of carpet is chosen and it is professionally installed, a
- professionally designed and instituted maintenance program will increase the life
- expectancy and performance of that carpet. Color selection is critical in long term
- appearance retention. For example, a light color cut pile is a poor choice in heavy traffic
- areas; a darker color loop pile will retain its appearance longer and is a better choice in
- heavy traffic areas. Facility managers and maintenance supervisors who understand this
- concept can increase the longevity of the carpet and save on future capital replacement
- cost.
- There is a big difference between cleaning carpet and maintaining carpet. Cleaning is the removal of apparent soil. For many commercial carpet owners, cleaning takes place
- irregularly, on an “as needed” basis. Soiling. however, is a cumulative process which. if
- allowed to go too far, cannot easily be reversed. Maintenance, in contrast to cleaning, is
- a scheduled on-going process of soil removal designed to maintain carpet’s daily
- appearance at a consistent level of cleanliness.
- Carpet performance is most effectively enhanced and maintained when the following
- exist:
- Cleaning is the process of locating. identifying. containing, removing, and
- properly disposing of unwanted material. This means removing unwanted
- substances from an environment or environmental compartment. When exposure
- is reduced, the probability of an adverse effect is also reduced.
- Constant attention to and application of principles of maximum restorative
- cleaning and minimum residue, especially as they apply to safety. the proper and
- effective use of chemicals, carpet extraction machines. and vacuum cleaners.
- A recognition that carpet care must take all of the following into account, the
- management of sources of unwanted substance that can get into the carpet; the
- activity levels; design of carpet; the environment in which carpet is installed; and
- ventilation.
- Consistent management program emphasizes:
- Effective cleaning systems directed at maximum restorative cleaning, minimum
- residue, safety, and ease of use
- Cost effective cleaning strategy, plan, schedule
- Training and recognition of cleaning technicians
- Periodic inspection, assessment and management review of cleaning programs
- Clean and Dry – Improving air quality and environment
- To promote a healthy environment, Dr. Michael Berry states in his book,
- Protecting the Built Environment: Cleaning for Health
- A clean environment is sanitary. When a sanitary condition exists, an adverse
- health effect is unlikely. Manufacturers’ recommendations for cleaning provide
- adequate guidelines, calling for frequent vacuuming and periodic professional
- restorative cleaning that emphasizes removal of foreign substances and
- minimizing residue. In the long run, these measures protect the carpet and
- promote environmental health.
- Carpet has a unique, positive “filter-like” or particle trapping feature that tends to hold
- particles to the floor that might otherwise be airborne. Matter being held by the “filter-
- like” feature of carpet can be taken out of the building instead of re-circulating in the air
- continually, by using a high power vacuum cleaner that has the “CRI Green Label”.
- Refreshing the indoor environment can be as easy as following a regular vacuuming and
- restorative cleaning schedule.
- Keeping the environment dry is a very important process. To prevent the growth of
- bacteria and mold, one should immediately attend to liquid spills and fix sources of
- excess moisture and humidity. Air movers, HVAC handling systems and dehumidifiers
- will assist in the drying process of higher moisture level cleaning processes.
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