Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Drake University

  • 03/01/16

Project Snapshot

PROJECT: Cleaning for Health First
INSTITUTION: Drake University
LOCATION: Des Moines, IA
COMPANY NAME: ProTeam, the Vacuum Company
WEBSITE: www.pro-team.com

Cleaning for Health First

University Achieves Cleaning for Health First

THE CHALLENGE

About 15 years ago, the custodial staff at Drake University cleaned by zone. Each cleaner tackled a building or two and performed all cleaning tasks within that zone. By July of 2003, they were ready for a change. With the help of Sodexo, the custodial department implemented a systematized approach to cleaning using teams of specialists, the Sodexo Cleaning System.

There are four types of specialist in the Sodexo Cleaning System: the utility specialist, the light duty specialist, the vacuum specialist and the restroom specialist. Each Drake custodian went through a 20-hour training course to become a specialist and perfect his or her cleaning skills. The vacuum specialists learned how to properly fit, use and maintain their ProTeam backpack vacuums. Currently, Drake custodians use two models of the backpack vacuum, the Super Coach Pro and the Super CoachVac.

Cleaning for Health First

THE SOLUTION

“The ProTeam backpack vacuums are great,” says Custodial Manager Nancy Macedo. “They are comfortable. They clean well, and they reduce overall dust levels which are an important part of the process of our cleaning system, allowing us to Clean for Health First.”

According to Macedo, using ProTeam backpack vacuums increased the longevity of the filters in the HVAC system and reduced the amount of dust on horizontal surfaces throughout the university’s buildings. Reducing dust and particulate matter is an important part of creating a healthy indoor environment. One of the key goals of the Sodexo Cleaning System is to clean for health rather than for appearance.

IMPACT ON LEARNING

“It’s important to have good air quality, so that students can concentrate on passing their exams,” says Macedo. “They won’t learn to their best benefit if they are suffering from allergies due to dust or poor cleaning. We are here for the students, and we want them to feel good in our buildings.”

Cleaning for Health First

The Drake University custodial crew cleans 58 academic and residence halls plus 55 rental-housing properties with 150 rental units. Altogether, these comprise over two million square feet of facility space.

“We have fewer injuries and accidents in the custodial department. It is also easier to provide coverage when we are short-staffed,” says Macedo. “With the Sodexo Cleaning System and ProTeam backpack vacuums, we have cleaner buildings and better quality of work. We know our buildings are healthy for the students.”

Editor’s Review

The U.S. EPA’s 2010 study, “How Does Indoor Air Quality Impact Student Health and Academic Performance?” indicates that substandard environmental conditions in schools, such as inadequate cleaning or poor ventilation, can cause serious health problems, which directly impacts academic performance. This focus by Drake University on ensuring that their facilities are cleaned for “Health First” is an example of providing a safe learning environment, which in turn promotes student success.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.