EXPERT ADVICE
GREEN dots are used for those electrical sources/devices that are
to be left on no matter if the facility is being used or not; this most often would apply to security lighting, for instance.
BLUE dots are used for those items that should be powered off
only on weekends and holidays.
YELLOW is used to designate “caution”; Yellow tells the cleaning
professional that he or she should ask building managers, supervisors, or users whether the source/device should be turned off or not after business hours.
GREY may be used to designate a power source or device where
no determination has yet been made, telling the custodial worker that he or she is to just leave the item alone at this time.
In order for the system to work effectively, building managers and cleaning professionals need to take a little time deciding what actions (and which colours) should be applied to each power source/device. For some power sources/devices, the determination will be quite easy. For instance, most lights should be turned off at the end of the business day, so in most cases a red dot will suffice.
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
WHEN IS SOMETHING
‘COMPLETELY’ OFF? Many of us know now that just because an electric device is off does not mean it is off. Instead, it is in standby mode. The origins of the standby mode can be traced to the early video recorders. In order to record a programme at a particular time, the VCR had to have a built-in clock and be able to switch itself on automatically.
Surprisingly, the clock was a particular problem. Although it became possible to design the VCR so that the clock would keep running even when the unit was unplugged, environmental regulation within Japan prevented manufacturers from fitting them with rechargeable batteries necessary to do this. This meant that Japanese VCRs had to be left permanently in standby even when no timer recording was required. Because most VCRs were made in Japan, this quickly became how they all operated.
In due course, standby systems were fitted into lots of other equipment from audio systems to coffee makers, and standby power became the norm in systems such as computers, monitors, copiers, phones, LED lighting, televisions, anything with a
clock, all types of charging devices, and the list goes on and on.
The sustainability issue that arises is that standby systems are designed invariably for user convenience. Invariably, they are not needed or necessary, and the electrical device is still using energy, sometimes considerable amounts of energy, even when it is turned off.
The way to deal with this situation is to put all systems that use standby power on the same circuit. These circuits should have a red dot on them because, in most cases, devices that use standby power can safely be turned off at day’s end.
ROLE OF THE BSC Today, the important role cleaning professionals play in keeping facilities safe – and sustainable – should never be overlooked. Though BSCs and their workers have long played a key role in keeping a facility healthy, new responsibilities also help facilities become more sustainable. This new role further elevates the importance of the professional cleaning industry and building service contractors specifically, and it is just one more feather to be placed in the industry’s cap.
ashkingroup.com Tomorrow’s Cleaning Sustainability Supplement 2015 | 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34