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ed compared with the time required for mopping, dry- quirements, including cleaning material cost or special
<br /> ing, stripping, and refinishing most hard surface floors. equipment required, and the in-house labor force re-
<br /> The validity of selecting contract carpet on the basis quired or expected costs from outside cleaning staff are
<br /> of its economic value is further supported by the grow- examples. Replacement of floorcoverings by en-
<br /> ing public acceptance of the aesthetic benefits offered vironmentally acceptable removal methods, and similar
<br /> by more hospitable "soft surfaces" in the workplace. "fringe" costs have become more pressing issues and
<br /> must now be given proper attention.
<br /> Understanding The Issues: Carpet tile must be considered as a major product
<br /> Carpet manufacturers today are more keenly aware choice today, not only for the inherent and unique style
<br /> than ever before of the materials, construction, appeal and wear life of this category of floorcovering
<br /> specifications, and regulatory requirements of commer- material, but also for the ease of installation and the
<br /> cial carpet. Many have distinct commercial carpet ability to replace tile in heavier wear or soilage areas
<br /> manufacturing operations, design and development without major refurbishment costs. Carpet tile is ideal
<br /> staffs, quality control engineers, and highly trained for entrance ways and off street traffic zones to trap
<br /> marketing and sales organizations. Fiber and yarn sup- soil that would ordinarily be carried onto other floors.
<br /> pliers offer materials that have been specifically Daily cleaning and more frequent replacement of a less
<br /> engineered for commercial application. Carpet con- expensive grade of carpet tile for these areas can pro-
<br /> struction and styling options are often tailored for tect the appearance of more expensive, adjacent of-
<br /> specific end use segments such as hospitality, fice carpet.
<br /> healthcare, and other contract applications with highly
<br /> specialized requirements. Commercial carpet evolved Standardized Data Used in the 1991 Study
<br /> during the 1980's into a true high performance product In preceding reports on this subject published in
<br /> and continues to gather broad acceptance for its earlier editions of this Handbook,the appearance level
<br /> aesthetics in the demanding commercial market. standard applied to both hard surface and carpeted
<br /> The carpet construction selected for contract use floors was designated as a number on the Maintenance
<br /> in offices or other commercial interiors must be properly Level Rating System, an evaluation scale devised by
<br /> specified for the expected traffic use. A color and the Industrial Sanitation Counselors (ISC), a
<br /> design should be selected that will minimize the visual maintenance consulting firm who specialized in com-
<br /> rate of change and preclude style aging. Contract mercial facilities. Each space to be maintained was
<br /> carpet must be chosen with an awareness of"off-street given a numerical rating, with 100 set as"perfect con-
<br /> soiling and walk-off" considerations, as well as overall dition." Cleaning programs could thus be planned to
<br /> maintenance, installation, and removal costs. The sustain any appearance level desired by management.
<br /> aesthetic considerations of a loop pile, cut pile, and/or The revised data presented in this update does not ig-
<br /> cut-uncut carpet affect the use life and maintenance nore these points, but brings these factors into a new,
<br /> program. In addition,the shorter replacement cycle that more relevant context.
<br /> drives today's office interior design market has expand- Many cleaning programs today offer two standard
<br /> ed the selection of textile floorcoverings to include service rates, one based on maintenance frequency
<br /> many different types of carpets. designated "superior", and the other termed "basic"
<br /> The impact of an effective, regular cleaning program which calls for less frequent cleaning.The comparisons
<br /> on appearance retention, therefore, on use-cost, can- in this study are drawn from costs in the "basic"
<br /> not be overstated.Textile products,whether floorcover- category of commercial office building maintenance as
<br /> ing, drapes,or upholstered pieces, are perishable if not published in a comprehensive 1990 Study conducted
<br /> properly cleaned. Routine cleaning and maintenance by the Building Owners and Managers Association In-
<br /> properly performed on commercial carpet can extend ternational (BOMA). [See BOMA address/telephone
<br /> the use-life of soft floor covering and the replacement below]
<br /> cycle of even basic products. Establishing the proper There is a wide variance in work methods, frequen-
<br /> cleaning procedures, selecting the right cleaning cy of cleaning operations, and labor and equipment
<br /> materials and equipment, and training cleaning crews rates. Therefore,where the ISC had developed a Work
<br /> to properly perform their work protects the carpet in- Standards System which provided standards for labor
<br /> vestment. Building managers are now aware and are rates, work loads, cleaning schedules, supplies, equip-
<br /> turning to "prevent" plans or other computer organiz- ment, tolls, and quality controls, other resources were
<br /> ed cleaning systems, which apply a scientific approach felt to offer more current data based on the latest
<br /> to commercial floor maintenance. maintenance procedures and programs.These sources
<br /> The cost of any floorcovering product must be fur- have been considered in this study, as well.
<br /> ther substantiated by local area research to understand The new study features a comparison of the four
<br /> all of the variables. Installation costs, the annual cost flooring types now most in demand by contract
<br /> of regular cleaning, and any special maintenance re- specifiers: commercial broadloom carpet, vinyl and
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