CM/Spotlight: Carpet Care Vacuum Plan properly for effective vacuum cleaner purchasing. Image courtesy of Tornado Industries Inc. Selecting The Perfect I By: Richard Sanchez Richard Sanchez is a building service contractor (BSC) working in Northern California. He may be reached at [email protected]. In business, as in life, one usually needs a plan in order to succeed — that has, at least, been the conclusion of some of the most famous thinkers in history. For facility service providers (FSPs), planning can play a significant role in every aspect of our busi-nesses, including selecting a vacuum cleaner. But, unfortunately, many of us fail to plan ahead when selecting a vacuum, often making how much we are willing to pay for the machine the only con-sideration. This can result in selecting a machine that does not meet our needs, does not perform as well as is necessary, is physically stressful to use and is less than healthy to operate. Doing a little research and planning before pur-chasing a vacuum cleaner can prevent those issues — and will likely save a considerable amount of money as well. First Things First Those who have made a bad choice when selecting a vacuum cleaner can take consolation in the fact that it’s not easy to select a vacuum cleaner today. There are numerous brands and models avail-able, including backpacks, uprights, wide-area machines, walk-behinds, canisters, high-efficien-cy particulate air (HEPA) and non HEPA-filtered machines, all of which come in a variety of models with scores of options. It can indeed be a bit bewildering, which is why the first step when selecting a new machine should be to decide where and how the machine will be used. For instance: ■ Will the machine be used for emergency pur-poses only — when another machine fails — or will it be used for several hours every day? ■ Will the machine be used for day cleaning and be required to operate at a low decibel level? ■ Is the area that will be vacuumed large, such as a walkway in a hotel or office building? ■ Will the machine be used for high and low dusting or for vacuuming both hard floors and carpeting? In this case, a conventional upright may not be the best choice. ■ Is indoor air quality (IAQ) a major concern; has a green cleaning program been implemented in the facility? If either of these issues is a factor, a machine with an advanced filtration system will likely be necessary. With these questions answered, the next step involves studying the kinds of machines available and the features and benefits they offer. Typically, this can be accomplished by reading industry trade publications. An astute JanSan distributor can also be a wel-come source of help when it comes to leading FSPs through the vacuum cleaner maze; as experts in the field, they can help their clients understand the choices available and point them toward the machines that will best meet their needs. Price Considerations As referenced earlier, a machine’s cost is often at the top of the list of considerations when selecting a new vacuum cleaner. However, while expense is a key factor, it certainly should not be the only one. Of course, this does not mean that the more money spent on a vacuum cleaner, the better it will be; in fact, just the opposite can be true. Some FSPs select a machine with a number of costly bells and whistles that look impressive online or in the showroom but are rarely used in practical, day-to-day use. Making matters worse, these added features are sometimes the parts of the machine that require the for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Carpet Care . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Vacuum Cleaner . 30 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • June 2012
CMM – Archives June 2012: 30
