The Janitors' Closet

Coronavirus disinfection service

We're doing quite a few coronavirus disinfection services (often referred to as "COVID deep clean or decontamination"), both for existing clients and others.  We shot a video of the procedure, to give folks a better idea of how we work and what they'd be ordering.  Grab popcorn and enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSWnHYJOKBE&feature=youtu.be 

Here's a bit from our "Level 3 Decontamination Protocol":

After Level 1 protocol is performed, CBN Technician will treat all furniture, fixtures, equipment and touchpoints with Johnson/Diversey’s quat based Virex256 spray, a hospital-grade disinfectant, and assure an ample dwell time (wet). The Virex256 spray application is designed to catch the “nooks and crannies” that damp wiping alone cannot treat.

Client Consultation: Prior to Level 3 decontamination, a CBN supervisor will review the treatment specifications with the client, on site if possible. The CBN supervisor will document the areas to be decontaminated, facility access, start time, water source, robing/disrobing areas, and any other concerns. This step is particularly important when treating in response to a suspected or confirmed contagion.

Advice for the CBN Client: For best results, ask the client to put all paperwork away; and turn off electronic equipment when feasible. Have the facility as vacant as possible to minimize inhalation of the disinfectant. Advise the client that they will likely see some water spotting after application, in most cases these can be easily removed on the next routine service.

Decontamination Treatment: by pressure pump application, the CBN Technician will spray Johnson/Diversey Virex256. Allow for the chemical solution to air dry; assure a minimum of 10 minutes wet dwell time. It is important to assure precise dilution; carefully measure all chemicals used in the process.

1) Don authorized protective items per OSHA biohazard safety protocols, including SMS disposable coverall, nitrile gloves, surgical mask, and safety goggles; face shield when health risks to technician are indicated.

2) Treat the exposed exterior surfaces of all furniture, office and computer equipment, desk items, trash cans, white boards. Pay careful attention to the undersides of chair arms, desks and tables edges, and particularly to all public areas (lobby, halls, elevators, lunchrooms, copy and mail rooms). FULLY coat all lobby furniture, doors, window sills, counter tops, displays, etc.

3) Treat touchpoints through-out: door jambs, doors & handles, outer corners of walls, light switches, knobs, alarm & thermostat pads, copiers, and phones (handset thoroughly), and hand rails.

4) Treat fixtures, partitions, walls and counters in restrooms, lunchrooms, and narrow passage ways where walls are likely to be touched.

5) Disrobe, bag, and dispose of any protective clothing and items used per decontamination protocols. Properly secure, store, or dispose of all products used in the process.

Submit Report: Document in writing, with photographs, all areas serviced in Level 2 or Level 3 decontamination; note any areas not treated such as locked rooms, clutter or paperwork on surfaces, client employees using space; note when and where any non CBN personnel were present; note the time completed, and that the facility is secured. Note the manner and the location of all items that were disposed of.

Protect yourself in a time of Coronavirus

Something that ought be obvious, but many that folks seem not to have realized, and that much information broadcast about slowing of viral transmission is lacking, is that, when you wear a mask, be sure of a tight fit.  A major (perhaps the major?) difference between the state of the art N-95 mask and a surgical mask or bandana, is that the N-95 (if fit properly to the wearer) is tightly sealed around the edges.  Makes sense that if you are trying to filter air, you want to filter all air, not just some. 

A bandana, or any other homemade mask, can (and should) be knotted tight.  A surgical mask will not fit tight if you've a smallish head, or ears, or ears set a bit forward, or if the elastic loops are just a bit stretched.  So tie a small knot in each loop.

In masks, as in reasoning, tight is good.

Another thing you can do: if home or workspace has had a viral "incident" (or you think it might have had), air the place out and decontaminate surfaces.  ALL surfaces.  A good disinfectant, with a viricidal claim, dwell time observed, will do the trick.  We like Johnson/Diversey's Virex 256 or Oxivir TB with ordinary sprayers (wiping works, but seems a bit less likely to fully coat).  And, we have a Clorox 360 electrostatic disinfectant applicator, the current state of the art technology, to fully coat all surfaces - back, bottom, sides, "nooks and crannies".

We realized early on that there would be a need for commercial Coronavirus decontamination ("disinfection" or "COVID deep clean").  We started with nearly five decades experience in disinfecting facilities, thoroughly trained and equipped ongoing crews, and carry numerous industry awards and certifications. We've added procedural tweaks, equipment and chemicals to be more effective during the pandemic.  And, we just were awarded a certification, with emphasis on COVID-19, from ISSA’s Global Biorisk Advisory Council. 

Here's our coronavirus disinfection or decontamination protocol.

So, if decontaminating your office, medical or commercial facility is a bit daunting, or you need a professional job, give us a call. 

Decontamination and disinfection ideas that may not be the best

It's nice that many of us are taking cleanliness and sanitation a bit more seriously these days, but a smidgeon of knowledge is a good thing as well.

Here's a bit (from CMM) on a recent study of some 500 of our compatriots, and a few of their "upgrades":

"Among the respondents who reported they had engaged in these high-risk cleaning product practices:

• 19% applied bleach to food items, including fruits and vegetables
• 18% used household cleaning and disinfecting products on their hands or skin
• 10% misted their body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray
• 6% inhaled vapors from household cleaners or disinfectants
• 4% drank or gargled diluted bleach solutions, soapy water, or other cleaning and disinfectant solutions.

Most of the respondents (77%) didn’t know they should use only room-temperature water to dilute bleach solutions, and 65% were unaware that they shouldn’t mix bleach with vinegar. 

One-quarter of the respondents reported experiencing at least one adverse health effect...."

Go figure.

Doing a good deal of COVID-19 "deep cleaning" - that is, decontamination/disinfection, we've taken our usual robust chemical safety training and put it on steroids.  Here's our coronavirus disinfection service protocol.

Our ongoing, every night, response to COVID-19

Quite early on in the pandemic, to better disinfect our client facilities, we transitioned from dry dusting most office surfaces to fully damp wiping with an effective viricide.  The move was facilitated by our acquisition of Sphergo wiping tools (we moved early, before major shortages hit).  In our crew's hands, the tool allows an even application of sanitizer, "wall to wall".  It also requires a more clutter and paper free office environment than is traditional; our clients were universally helpful in "de-cluttering". This step is quite effective against viruses, and will catch most anything accessible via damp wiping.

These are our "marching orders" for our nightly janitorial crews:

First, wipe the cleared surfaces of furniture, fixtures, touchpoints (doorknobs and push plates, doorframes, convex wall corners, controls – alarm, A/C, elevator) using Sphergo pad holders for plainer surfaces and microfiber cloth for non-plainer, each thoroughly saturated with Johnson/Diversey AlphaHP; Second, in restrooms, lunchrooms and exam/procedure rooms, after cleaning, mist Virex256 on all surfaces, fixtures, equipment and touchpoints. For both AlphaHP and Virex256, insure a minimum 10 minutes (wet) dwell time on all surfaces.

As always, wear surgical gloves; goggles when mixing chemicals; surgical masks not just in restrooms and health care facilities, but fully on any job.

Note: If bio or other hazardous fluids are present, report the condition to CBN supervisor; use authorized protective gear including surgical gloves, face shield, surgical mask and full protective clothing if necessary, and follow CBN Bio-hazard Protocol on cleaning and disposal.  Refer to and follow robing/disrobing procedures.

Finally, we equipped to do a thorough one-shot Coronavirus disinfection ("covid-19 deep clean", or remediation).

coronavirus disinfection services

Cutting edge technology for the application of disinfectant is an electrostatic process: tiny droplets are given a positive charge, so they repel one another, but are attracted to anything in contact with the earth – desks, chairs, office equipment – evenly coating sides, back and bottom, without puddling.

The most effective devices are electric rather than battery; the go-to device is the Clorox360.  It’s in short supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ve acquired one.  As back-up, we have a fine pump sprayer system, using Johnson/Diversey's hospital grade disinfectant, also in use (we try to allow for equipment failure, chemicals back ordered, and so on - figuring if anything can go wrong, it will).

Our first COVID-19 decontamination was in CBN’s own office (mostly to begin crew training, but also "just in case").  Our 1914 vintage building is not typical of a modern office, but with period furnishings it presents its own unique challenges. Our crews have also had "hands-on" training by Clorox's regional rep, so we're in good shape for coronavirus remediation, or what some call COVID-19 deep cleaning.

In full protective gear, our technician applies Clorox disinfectant to all accessible surfaces, emphasizing touch points – doors and jambs, counters, stair-rail, and public areas – lobby, back entrance, reception area, being careful to give the full 10-minute dwell time.  Be safe!

Civility

Received a  note from a janitorial client, and a long-time friend:

    "At the car wash, I entered the outside waiting area and slid a chair further from next to a waiting lady, giving her a courteous friendly smile. Seated - I realized and said “Oh, when I moved the chair I gave a smile. But you couldn’t see because I’m wearing a mask.”  She smiled “That's okay. I could see it in your eyes.” Gee!

Well, it's nice to know that friendliness still works during mask time."