Ask the Expert:
A Clean Sweep For Stadia Q:
Natalie Dowse, Marketing and Product Manager for Truvox International, explains why the correct cleaning regime for sporting facilities is essential.
Sports clubs and stadia are the focus for many different
activities, both on and off the pitch. What kind of cleaning regimes are robust and regular enough to ensure facilities are always performing at their best?
renowned sporting venues. From Old Trafford to Twickenham, not to mention the incredible buildings that hosted London 2012, we seem to be spoilt for choice, no matter what particular sport interests us most.
A:
Although these venues are primarily known for hosting high profi le sports fi xtures, they are also businesses which need to function 24-7 throughout the year, catering for many different events. This could include concerts, seminars, exhibitions – and even weddings! The aftermath of all these occasions inevitably involve the mess, dirt and litter that is left behind by spectators or guests, so the need for effective and responsive cleaning regimes is paramount.
Flooring materials will vary throughout the location, from lush carpeting in executive boxes, to safety fl ooring in changing areas. Clubs invest substantial amounts of time and money in selecting their fl ooring and carpets, but how much consideration do they give to how they will be cleaned and cared for? Properly planned maintenance and cleaning regimes can keep fl ooring looking better for longer, benefi tting business and ensuring that players and supporters are treated to a welcoming, aesthetically-pleasing, safe and clean environment.
60 | REGULAR
The UK is privileged to have so many iconic and world-
Outdoor issues First impressions count, so the exterior spaces surrounding sports venues need specifi c maintenance. Pavements, parking areas and indoor areas around food stalls that tend to be concrete, need to be kept free from debris to ensure the safety of pedestrians, and to provide a welcoming environment.
Facilities managers should look for lightweight machines that are easy to manoeuvre, but also robust enough to cope with an outdoor environment. Any machine should also have the capacity to pick up a variety of debris from hard fl oors. This could include polystyrene, leaves, cigarette ends, crisps and other foodstuffs. Models that incorporate adjustable side brushes will also allow for up to the edge sweeping, which is useful for cleaning right up to the kerbside.
The inside story The actual ‘arena’ is, without doubt, a main focus of attention, but sporting venues have a lot of ‘back offi ce’ areas that are also in use constantly. These include reception spaces, restaurants, executive boxes and function rooms, and carpet is a favourite choice for these types of areas.
Vacuum cleaners are now more adaptable than ever, thanks to developments in design, with tools and attachments that can handle different materials and spaces. Commercial strength metal brush rollers provide increased durability, and on-board crevice tools and dust brushes make cleaning around radiators or padded upholstery much easier. Certain models are also built to tackle more expansive areas of carpeting,
featuring wider cleaning paths and height adjustable brushes to cope with different pile depths and textures.
Ensuring carpeted areas are not only vacuumed but also free from any stains is equally important. Using a manoeuvrable and compact carpet extraction unit, with a wand and fl oor tool, ensures that stains are quickly and easily removed, especially if carpets are only given a thorough clean once or twice a year.
There’s no doubt that fl ooring in sporting venues and stadia have to stand up to a lot of harsh treatment, so cleaning has to be thorough and regular in order to maintain the high standards that spectators, guests and the athletes or players expect. However, with such a wide range of cleaning equipment available, catering for every need and specialist surface is perfectly achievable, ensuring that everyone who uses the facilities – whether watching or participating in sport, or doing something else entirely – will feel that they are defi nitely part of a winning team.
www.truvox.com
If you have a question for the expert, please email:
caroline@opusbm.co.uk
Your question could be featured in the next issue of Tomorrow's Cleaning.
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
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 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78
