The hose should be insulated, both to maintain heat levels between boiler and the various tools and for operator safety. 5. Tools Tools are a key part of any steam vapor system. The operator should expect a variety of applications to come up during use of the system. Therefore, a variety of tools should be available to meet those needs. Tools and attachments should be easy to take on and off safely, as well as be easy to use and maintain. All of the components of a steam vapor system work together to deliver heat in the form of dry steam to the surface, and each of these components represents a point at which heat energy can be lost. Since adequate heat must be delivered at the point of contact to properly clean and sanitize the area, a more appropriate means of measuring the power of a steam vapor system is to measure the tempera-ture at the point where the tool contacts the surface. 6. User-friendliness User-friendly operation is the key to ensur-ing that the device is used to its potential. Simple, straightforward controls dramati-cally shorten the learning curve and allow the new user to get up to speed quickly. The steam vapor system cleaning pro-cess is not at all difficult, but it is different from the traditional cleaning process, as it requires less scrubbing and surface pres-sure to reach desired results. Steam volume controls allow the user to vary the amount of steam being dispersed. Depending on the surface and situa-tion, different jobs may require different amounts of steam. Mobility and operational flexibility should be considered when evaluating different units. It is, therefore, recommended that a user request an onsite demonstration prior to purchasing a system so that the user has a better understanding of its capabilities and the variety of useful applications for which it is suited. 7. Manufacturer/vendor support A remaining consideration with regard to the expected longevity and functionality of a steam vapor system is vendor/manufac-turer support. It is helpful for new users to have instruc-tion as to a system’s operation, its capabili-ties and its various applications. Commercial steam vapor systems used for surface disinfection should be selected on the basis of third-party studies that sub-stantiate the manufacturer’s claims. Such studies should be done by reputable institutions or contract research facilities on relevant microorganisms. Good customer service and support cannot be overemphasized when it comes to selecting a steam vapor system. CM Product Information no. 214 on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 23
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