NATIONAL REPORT—In 2002, when San Francisco’s famed Fairmont Hotel reopened after more than a year of extensive remodeling, one of the first things visitors noted was that acres of carpeting had been replaced with acres of hard surface floors. This is an example of a trend that has been occurring in all types of commercial and residential settings. Where wall-to-wall carpeting was common, hard surface floor coverings, such as stone and wood, are now taking its place.
For hotel housekeepers this can mean a major change in cleaning operations. Instead of vacuuming these acres of carpeted floors, they now need to be cleaned by both dust and damp mopping, which presents a challenge for hotel properties seeking to green their cleaning operations. When dry mopping hard surface floors, dust is generated and it can impact indoor air quality (IAQ) negatively. Furthermore, if harmful contaminants are on the floors, there is a possibility that these can become airborne and harm the health of the cleaning worker and others in the property—negating any other green efforts established at the hotel.
Because of this, what many properties are selecting to do is vacuum these hard surface floors whenever possible. And, many hotel administrators are selecting certain backpack vacuum cleaners with advanced air-filtration systems that help protect IAQ and a facility’s green initiatives. In fact, many green cleaning experts recommend the use of backpack vacuum cleaners because of how well this equipment protects IAQ.
Consider Environmental, Employee Health
However, selecting a backpack vacuum cleaner can be challenging as well as a big decision. For one, this piece of equipment is the most commonly used machine for any cleaning operation. The wrong machine can impact the effectiveness of many cleaning tasks. And, cleaning departments looking to maintain green status must be sure to select a high-performing backpack that protects the environment as well as the health of hotel workers. Another issue with selecting the right machine is the fact that there are now more U.S. and international companies than ever before offering backpack vacuums.
Below are some of the things to look for and evaluate when selecting a backpack vacuum.
• Costs: Especially now with the uncertainty of the economy, hotel properties are watching their budgets closely. Even if green is a hotel’s priority, cost is often the deciding factor. Backpack vacuums range in price from about $200 to more than $1,000. Managers should evaluate backpacks on a feature-by-feature basis and determine which cleaning solutions and features best fit their needs.
• Weight: Some of the early backpacks were about 15 pounds and wearing them became very uncomfortable in a relatively short time. The goal of green cleaning is to protect the environment as well as the user and, therefore, worker comfort must be viewed as a green issue and addressed when shopping for a backpack vac. Managers should look for machines weighing between 10 and 11 pounds. This has proven to be a comfortable weight for most users.
• Harness: The harness, which fits over the shoulders and around the waist of the user, has been the focus of considerable research and design. Look for machines designed with what is called a “comfort-fit,” with a padded, adjustable shoulder harness and belt. Ergonomically designed to work with the user, some systems even have tool storage on the belt to help facilitate worker productivity.
• Ease of use: The harness makes the backpack machine easier to wear. However, if the machine is bulky, too large, or poorly designed, it can still be uncomfortable to use, especially for a user of small stature. One option to consider is a smaller backpack—for instance a six-quart machine. These machines have all of the power and features of a larger backpack, but in a compact and easier to handle size.
• Noise level: One area of equipment that has needed to be improved is sound output to reduce noise pollution. A big drawback of early backpacks was their noise level. High sound levels can cause worker fatigue, irritability, and stress. Machines with a decibel rating of about 70 dB have proven to be quiet enough to cause minimal discomfort for the user.
• Air filtration: As mentioned earlier, many green cleaning experts strongly support the use of backpack vacuum cleaners because they can help protect IAQ. Some backpacks have a multiple air filtration system—some as many as four stages—that help capture and trap impurities before they can become airborne. For hotel properties, an optional HEPA filter increases this protection because it can capture and hold up to 99.97 percent of allergens and impurities, preventing them from becoming airborne. Just as with schools and medical centers, for a hotel property, selecting a backpack with a HEPA filter is strongly recommended.
Matthew Perry is product manager for Powr-Flite, a manufacturer of backpack vacuum cleaners and other professional cleaning tools and equipment for the cleaning industry. He may be reached at m.perry@tacony.com.
