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Educational Articles
Anti-fatigue Mats
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Opportunities to place anti-fatigue mats can be found in almost any facility where
people work today. From industrial operations to retail shops, many jobs require
employees to stand for extended periods in specific locations. An inspection of
any facility will find opportunities to improve work areas and therefore improve
productivity.
Most people think of anti-fatigue as just something to “make the floor softer”.
Experts tell us that well-designed anti-fatigue matting can do much more. Any employee
who is required to stand for extended periods is subject to becoming distracted
with the discomfort that can result from the incorrect type of support underfoot.
Good anti-fatigue mats are firm enough to hold up to the long-term wear and tear
of daily use while providing enough cushioning to relieve stress and discomfort.
Another issue concerning anti-fatigue mats is traction. Work areas that are slippery,
cause workers to spend extra energy keeping their footing. Good anti-fatigue mats
provide a surface that is worry-free as well as comfortable.
There are many opportunities for anti-fatigue mat placement. A visit with the Safety
Director of an industrial facility will probably result in the discovery of many
areas where mats could be provided as an improvement to the operation. Other opportunities
for anti-fatigue mats exist in retail stores, restaurants, hospitals, etc. Even
in facilities that use anti-fatigue mats, often the mats are worn out or are past
their useful life.
A good rule for determining whether there are opportunities for anti-fatigue mats
is: “LOOK DOWN AND LOOK AROUND”, you never know what you might find.
Ordering Instructions For The Logo Mat Collection
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Message Overview: The Andersen Company offers 4 different types of logo mats:
Classic Impressions, ColorStar CompuTuft, Waterhog Inlay, and SuperScrape Logos.
Each of these logo mat programs result in high quality products that your customers
will be very proud to use. Pricing is calculated by each individual size and quantity.
Different size logo mats and standard mats cannot be combined for quantity discount.
ClassicImpressions logo mats are manufactured using our state-of-the-art
digital printer. We start with a white 100% static dissipative nylon carpet and
digitally dye your choice of 24 standard colors or your special PMS colors into
the carpet. With this manufacturing process ""Phase-in"" colors and shaded areas
are possible helping to create 3-D designs. Designs with intricate details or small
letters are possible with ClassicImpressions.
ColorStar CompuTuft mats are also produced using a computerized tufting machine.
20 colors of anti-static, solution dyed nylon are available for designing your logo.
Up to 6 colors may be chosen for a single design. ColorStar CompuTuft mats have
excellent colorfastness and should be chosen when the mat placement area is exposed
to direct sunlight.
Waterhog Inlay mats are produced by cutting your design out of fabric with
a computerized cutting machine and then piecing the design back together like a
puzzle. 18 colors of anti-static, polypropylene fabric are available for your designing
needs. There is no limit to the number of colors that are used in a single design.
Standard prices allow for designs with up to 30 letters etc. Designs with 30 or
more letters, characters or pieces will be charged a surcharge.
SuperScrape Logo mats are produced by molding a colored nitrile rubber logo
or design into a black nitrile rubber background. 6 logo colors are available. A
maximum of 5 colors plus the black background may be used in a single design. SuperScrape
Logo mats are available in 3 x 5 and 4 x 6 sizes only.
Design: Designing mats is simple. All we require is good quality original
black and white artwork that is no larger than 8 ½”x 11” in size since the art is
scanned into the computer. On one of our logo order forms please indicate the type
logo desired, size, color and direction of your logo. It is then converted into
a logo file, which can be manipulated to fit the requirements of our different logo
processes. When complete, the design is stored on a computer disc. This disc is
then loaded into a computer that controls the logo manufacturing process.
Artwork Requirements: The Andersen Company is committed to providing the
most attractive logo mats available. Essential to this is the quality of the artwork
that is provided to us. The best artwork is a black and white ad slick. The slick
can be any size up to 8 ½”x 11”. All artwork must be submitted by mail, Federal
Express, or email. E-Mail (in the following PC formats only: jpg, wmf, tif, eps,
dfx, gif, & bitmap)
Faxed copies distort artwork and therefore cannot be used. Below is a list
of different types of artwork. Each is classified as acceptable, unacceptable or
marginal. If we are unable to use marginal artwork, we will advise the person that
placed the order to supply us with different materials. Please try to provide the
best possible artwork on the initial order, as this will expedite the process
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Acceptable |
Unacceptable |
Marginal |
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Black/White Ad Slicks |
Faxes |
Color Prints * |
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Letterheads |
Emblems of copies of Emblems |
Newspaper Ads |
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Brochures |
Banners, Flags |
Yellow Pages Ads |
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Business Literature |
Full Size Mats |
Business Cards |
(*) Color prints, if available can be submitted to show color placement
for a design.
Art Proofs: Art Proofs are available for approval of your designs. Art Proofs
can be viewed on our Internet site, which eliminates the need to mail a printed
version. If you do not have Internet access art proofs will be mailed to you. Art
proofs can be sent via express carriers but The Andersen Company will not be responsible
for the charges. First and second versions of art proof on a single design are provided
at no charge. Additional art proof versions of the same design will cost
$25.00 each. Art proof charges will not be refunded if the design is subsequently
ordered.
Chemical Compatibility Chart
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This applies to Happy Feet, Super Scrape, Safety Scrape, Hog Heaven & AirFlex Nitrile
Rubber Mats
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1 = Little or no effect |
2 = Minor to moderate effect |
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3 = Moderate to severe effect |
4 = Not recommended |
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Chemical Tested |
Rating |
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A |
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons - Kerosene, Etc. |
1 |
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B |
Animal & Vegetable Oils |
1 |
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C |
Aromatic Hyrdocarbons - Benzol, Toluol, Etc. |
1 |
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D |
Bleach |
1 |
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E |
Concentrated Alkali |
1 |
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F |
Cutting Oil |
1 |
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G |
Denatured Alcohol |
1 |
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H |
Diesel |
1 |
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I |
Dilute Alkali |
1 |
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J |
Engine Oil |
1 |
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K |
Gasoline |
1 |
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L |
Hydraulic Fluid Silicate Ester |
1 |
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M |
Hydraulic Fluid Water Glycol |
1 |
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N |
L.P. Gas, Fuel Oils |
1 |
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O |
Lubricating Oils - High Aniline |
1 |
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P |
Lubricating Oils - Low Aniline Point |
1 |
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Q |
Mineral Spirits |
1 |
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R |
Muriatic Acid - 30%, 20 Degrees Baume |
1 |
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S |
Phosphoric Acid |
1 |
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T |
Pine Cleaner |
1 |
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U |
Refrigerants, Ammonia |
1 |
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V |
Sodium Hydroxide, Rayon Grade, 25% |
1 |
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W |
Sulphuric Acid - 30% |
1 |
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X |
Transmission Fluid |
1 |
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Y |
WD40 |
1 |
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Z |
Water |
1 |
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AA |
Window Cleaner |
1 |
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BB |
Anti-Freeze |
2 |
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CC |
Brake Fluid |
2 |
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DD |
Calcium Hypochlorite - 12% |
2 |
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EE |
Chlorine Bleach - 12.5% |
2 |
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FF |
Hydraulic Fluid - Petroleum Base |
2 |
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GG |
Steam |
2 |
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HH |
Butyl Alcohol |
3 |
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II |
Isopropyl Alcohol - 99% |
3 |
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JJ |
Acetic Acid - 56% |
4 |
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KK |
Acetone |
4 |
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LL |
Cyclohexande |
4 |
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MM |
Refrigerants, Methyl Chloride |
4 |
Primary Mat Categories
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Mats are generally divided into three broad categories:
- Entrance Mats
- Interior Mats
- Industrial/Anti-Fatigue Mats
Entrance Mats
Soil is everywhere. It is a part of the earth we live on and managing it is a vital
part of our everyday existence. Even the least sophisticated commercial facility
requires some type of soil management program. At the heart of soil management is
the concept of prevention - prevention of contaminants from entering a building.
85% of all soil enters a building on the feet of building occupants. Of this, at
least 80% is dry soil and the rest is oily. The dry soil can range from large particles
to powder-like dust. Over the years, many products have been developed and sold
to help keep soil at the door and out of the building. The International Sanitary
Supply Association (ISSA) has estimated that it costs 600 dollars to find and remove
one pound of soil after it has been allowed to enter an average building. This cost
is primarily labor. Since entrance mats stop and contain soil and water, it is obvious
that removing soil from a mat can be less expensive than removing it from a building
since the soil is concentrated in a localized area.
Four things an entrance mat should do:
- Stop soil and water at the door
Most, if not all mats claim to do this. The most effective mats provide a combination
of scraping and wiping to stop the maximum amount of contaminants.
- Store soil and water for removal
The most effective entrance mats are designed to provide a place for soil and water
to go to for storage. It is important that the storage be designed for maximum storage
and ease of removal when the mat is cleaned. It is important that the mat provide
a way for the contaminants to be contained so that water cannot spread to the surrounding
floor creating a slip/fall hazard. Water that flows off the sides of the mat is
referred to as seepage. Mats with flat borders allow water to seep off the edges,
thus increasing one’s exposure to slip and fall. Excessive floor damage is also
created by the water seepage around the perimeter of the mat. Higher performance
mats provide a dam that will hold the water back from floor surfaces and from reattaching
to one’s shoes.
- Minimize tracking of soil and water
This capability is best accomplished by a BI-level construction that provides an
upper surface for walking and a lower area where soil and water are stored until
removed by cleaning. The amount of soil that a mat allows to be tracked back on
to patrons’ shoes is commonly referred to as the performance threshold. The best
mats on the market maintain this BI-level construction thereby trapping large quantities
of moisture and dirt keeping not allowing it to reattach to peoples shoes and be
tracked further into the facility. Low performance mats such as those with ribbed
or square patterned face yarn alone will not hold up under foot pressure, thus allowing
more water and dirt to reattach to shoes and be tracked into respective facilities.
Look for a permanent rubber membrane that will support the face yarn throughout
the mat’s productive life. High performance mats have a permanent rubber reinforcing
membrane that will permanently support the textile face, increasing product unity
and extending useful product life.
- Provide a safe surface
The mat should be slip-resistant to prevent slipping on the floor when it is walked
on. Also any water on the mat should be contained in a reservoir below the traffic
surface to prevent slipping on flooring surface adjacent to the mat. Rubber-backed
mats provide a better slip resistance than vinyl-backed mats. Rubber-backed mats
do not curl as do vinyl mats thus reducing trip and fall exposure. Some rubber-backed
mats have cleated surfaces on the bottom that further enhances non-skid properties
and allows moisture to dry from underneath the mat.
Entrance mats may also be scraper mats that provide the first line of defense against
soil. Scraper mats should always be used with other entrance mats that will provide
wiping properties to remove fine soil and water from feet.
Interior Mats
These mats perform many tasks. In many cases, they are used as “dust control” or
“finishing” mats when used in conjunction with a scraper entrance mat in a soil
management program. They are usually made with a nylon textile surface that will
provide good wiping characteristics. Nylon is typically used over olefin because
of the high twist level of nylon fibers which allows the mat to more effectively
remove soil and spring back up after cleaning. Olefin mats will crush out in as
little as 30-days rendering the mat virtually useless. Other uses of interior mats
include spot, spill and soil control in high-use areas such as vending machines,
coffee service areas, copy machines, registration areas, etc. It is important that
mats used in these areas provide safe footing that minimizes trip and fall hazards
as well as slip resistance. The best interior mats are made with a rubber backing
that will resist slippage on any surface – carpet or hard surface.
There are also specialty interior mats designed to provide enhancements to the environment
by controlling the growth of microorganisms that can be disease bearing as well
as odor causing.
Industrial Mats
Industrial mats usually fall into two broad use areas – Traction Control/Floor Protection
mats and Anti-Fatigue mats.
Traction Control mats are engineered to provide safe footing with minimum movement
in any environment. Typical applications include outside entrances, ramps and floor
areas where contaminants such as oil, grease or water are common. For maximum safety,
these mats should be designed for minimum slippage on any surface. In addition,
the mat surface should be constructed with maximum traction properties. Another
use of industrial mats is to protect the floor from contaminants such as food and
liquids.
Anti-Fatigue mats are designed to provide a safe, productive surface for occupations
that require long periods of standing. The best anti-fatigue mats are designed to
comfortably support a person with a cushion that does not crush after months of
use. To do this, an anti-fatigue mat should be resistant to environmental conditions
that can contaminate and deteriorate the cushion in the mat.
Another benefit of higher performance industrial anti-fatigue mats is soil and debris
trapping to help prevent or minimize cross contamination of soil from one department
to another or to office environments.
Custom Logo Mats
Logo mats are available in constructions that allow them to be used as entrance
mats or interior mats.
Logo entrance mats should be made with the same construction as non-logo entrance
mats in that they should provide the soil and water stopping and storage or scraping
properties inherent in the best entrance mats. One of the most common misapplications
of matting products is the use of interior logo mats at the entrance to a facility.
Since interior mats do not provide the permanent bi-level construction required
in an entrance mat, these mats can become saturated with soil and water and become
a source for contaminants. The result is a mat that allows water to seep onto the
floor around the mat causing unsightly and unsafe conditions. Interior logo mats
are designed for dust and moisture control in conjunction with a planned matting
program of scraper and entrance mats.
Mat Placement by Market Segment
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Type Facility or application
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Recommended mat product(s) |
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Manufacturing |
Entrance mats, traction control, anti-fatigue, interior mats, message mats (safety,
quality, etc.) |
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Hospitality |
Logo mats – entrance and interior, regular entrance mats, anti-fatigue mats for
registration desks, laundry, and food service areas |
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Healthcare |
Entrance and interior mats both regular and logo, anti-fatigue mats at nurse’s stations
and in laundry and food service areas, environmental control mats for infection
control |
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Education |
Logo mats – entrance and interior, regular entrance mats, interior mats for vending,
coffee and copy machine areas |
Tile Installation Instructions
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Measuring
Determine the number of tile that you will need by measuring the length (L) and
width (W) of the area of carpet (as shown in Figure 1). Multiply the width times
the length to get the square footage of the room.
For areas that are not rectangular, break up the area into smaller rectangles (as
shown in Figure 2). Multiply the width times the length for each of the smaller
rectangles separately and add up all the results to arrive at the overall square
footage.
Preparation
- Remove any old floor coverings, debris, and adhesives from the floor
- Clean the entire floor surface of any dust, drywall mud, etc.
- Once the floor has been cleaned, allow it to dry completely.
- The carpet tiles must be allowed to acclimate to room temperature prior to installation.
Lay out
- Determine the center of the area by snapping chalk lines between the midpoints of
the areas opposing sides. Measure from the center point (the point at which the
2 chalk lines converge) up to 3 feet and make a mark. Now measure from the center
point to the left 4 feet and make another mark. If the distance between these two
marks is 5 feet then your reference lines are perfectly square (Figure 3).
- Apply your adhesive to the prepared floor according to the adhesive manufacturer's
directions. We recommend Capital Adhesive's Saf-T-Bond 024 permanent outdoor adhesive
for all installations both indoor and outdoor. In all cases, never use any adhesive
that contains solvents.
- Starting with one quadrant, install a row of full tiles along both reference lines
(see Figure 4). First apply the adhesive using a paint roller. Next, place the tiles
along the reference lines applying firm pressure with the palm of your hand to ensure
good contact with the adhesive. Tiles should be placed snug against the adjacent
tiles and their edges accurately aligned with one another.
- Continue by placing tiles row by row or by using the stair step method (see Figure
5) always starting at the center and moving towards the side.
Fitting and Cutting tiles
After you have placed all the full tiles, the perimeter tiles must be accurately
marked and cut to fit snug against the side. Start by placing the tile to be cut
directly on top of the last tile in a row. Next, position another tile against the
wall and on top of the tile to be cut. Make a mark on each side where the outer
corners of the top tile overlap the tile to be cut. Remove the tiles and using a
sharp utility knife and a straight edge, cut through the back of the perimeter tile
between the two marks. Use this same procedure to cut and fit the rest of the perimeter
tiles.
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Instructions for Sending Logo Artwork By Email
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Artwork email instructions can be found here.
Backing Choices
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The list of backing types can be found here.
Green Building Document
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Entrance Mats
An Integral component of a Green Building
Soil is everywhere. It is a part of the earth we live on and managing it is a vital part of our everyday existence. The U.S. Green Building Council has developed a rating system for new and existing buildings to encourage building owners to earn credit for meeting certain housekeeping criteria. Strategies include the creation and maintenance of entrance systems and mats that prevent particles from entering the building. Recommendations include a minimum of 10-12 feet of quality matting products at entrances. At the heart of an entrance system is prevention of contaminants from entering a building. 85% of all soil enters a building on the feet of people entering the building. Of this, at least 80% is dry soil and the rest is oily. The dry soil can range from large particles to powder-like dust. Over the years, many products have been developed and sold to help keep soil at the door and out of the building. The key to the success of a mat’s performance is whether it will do what an entrance mat should do.
How should an Entrance Mat perform?
In a Green Building an entrance mat is the first line of defense against contaminants and particles entering the building. As such, there are four things an entrance mat should do:
- Stop soil and water. 85% of all soil enters a building on the feet of the building occupants. High performance mats are more effective at stopping soil from entering buildings.
- Store soil and water for removal at a convenient time. Storing means that a high performance mat contains soil in a place where it can be removed effectively and safely with minimum impact on the building. A building with minimized contaminants reduces the amount of cleaning chemicals required. This reduces airborne contaminants and volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) from cleaning chemicals, thereby improving a building’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
- Minimize tracking of stored soil and water into the building. A mat with a permanent bi-level construction will store soil and water below shoe level to prevent it from being transferred into the building. This is perhaps the most important thing an entrance mat should do. Mats with a non-re-enforced surface will crush flat and once soil is deposited on these mats, it can reattach to the shoe of another person and be tracked further into the building.
- Provide a safe surface for traffic. Entrance mats should contain contaminants within the structure of the mat and not allow them to seep onto the floor causing a potential slip/fall accident. Mats without a rubber reinforced permanent bi-level construction become saturated with water that can cause a loss of traction on the mat or the floor adjacent to it.
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The best performing entrance mats provide a safe, effective, and attractive surface. These are the features of an Andersen WaterHog® entrance mat.
- Soil and moisture control are provided by the permanent rubber reinforced bi-level construction with a durable textile face. Soil and water are scraped off and held by the mat away from foot traffic.
- Safety is provided by a water dam around the perimeter to prevent water seepage onto the surrounding floor thereby protecting against slip/fall accidents
- WaterHog® mats are the toughest, most attractive mats available. With a variety of product types and an extensive array of sizes and colors, they are an integral part of a green building entrance.
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Mats and the Green Cleaning Market
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What is Green Cleaning?
The concept of Green Cleaning began with Presidential
Executive Order 13101 dated September 14, 1998 titled “Greening the Government
Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition”. In the order a
policy was established to prefer pollution prevention, recycling and safe
disposal in government facilities. Over the years, this has expanded to the
commercial market. Green Cleaning now means the best
use of products that reduce indoor pollution as well as reduce environmental
pollution and favor sustainable materials.
What is the Green Cleaning Market?
During a recent ISSA meeting, representatives from the EPA,
Green Seal, US Green Building Council and other
organizations defined the market as "a broad scope of concerns including products
(i.e. chemicals, janitorial paper products, MATS, equipment, etc.), processes, and
the safety and health of building occupants and cleaning professionals."
What Products are sold to the Green Cleaning Market?
The obvious products that come to the forefront of the Green
Cleaning marketplace are chemicals and paper due to their potential
toxicity and/or recycle/disposal properties. Other products such as mats play an
important role in improving indoor air quality. For example, in discussing mats,
these organizations (EPA www.epa.gov,
Green Seal www.greenseal.org, US
Green Building Council www.usgbc.org,
etc.) have referred to them as “…the first line of defense”. In addition, they
call for a minimum of 10-12 feet of mats at the entrance of a building as a way
to keep dirt and moisture contained thereby reducing the need for cleaning and
reducing the quantity of chemicals required for that purpose. LEED-EB, the
nationally recognized voluntary standard for green existing buildings sponsored
by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org)
also recommends entryway systems as a way to improve IAQ.
Where Do Andersen Mats Fit in the Green Cleaning Market?
75 to 80% of contaminates that enter a building come through entryways. A quality matting system stops these contaminates at the door. Stopping these contaminates not only reduces cleaning labor costs and reduces wear on floor surfaces but it also substantially reduces the need for cleaning chemicals that might be harmful to the building occupants and the environment. Quality matting systems like the Waterhog construction pioneered by Andersen provides the maximum performance for preventing soil and water from entering a building and therefore helping to keep a building “Green”. The BI-level construction that provides an upper surface for walking and a lower area where soil and water are stored until removed by cleaning accomplish this capability. Waterhog mats utilize this permanent rubber reinforced BI-level construction, thereby, trapping large quantities of moisture and dirt, minimizing the effects of soil and water being tracked further into the facility. Low performance mats such as those with unsupported ribbed or square patterned face yarn will not hold up under foot pressure, thus allowing more water and dirt to reattach to shoes and be tracked into facilities. A permanent BI-level construction extends the performance life of a mat reducing the need to dispose of mats frequently. Lower quality mats must be replaced 4 to 5 times more often than Waterhog mats contributing significantly more waste to our landfills. Another common problem with lower quality mats is the fact that users of these products do not always understand when the product has reached its useful life. In these cases the lower quality mat is left in place after it stops performing it function. Contaminates are then allowed to enter the facility with all of the ill effects outlined earlier.
Related Sites:www.epa.gov ,www.greenseal.org , www.usgbc.org
Green Building LEED EB points
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