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Commercial Cleaning Company - The College Of The Rockies

Commercial Cleaning Company Gets An A-Ok At Prestigious College Of The Rockies!

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Evergreen Building Maintenance Inc. was awarded the commercial cleaning company contract this summer for the College Of The Rockies in Cranbrook BC.

“It was a tough bidding process against some of the top commercial cleaning companies in BC” says Ranjit Takhar President of Evergreen Building Maintenance.

The contract for cleaning College Of The Rockies is considered quite prestigious since it is the main college serving 6 or 7 cities in the Kootenays and is also one of the primary attractions of Cranbrook, BC.

Approximately 2,500 busy full time busy students use 200,000 sq. ft. of high traffic space including classrooms, indoor and outdoor recreational areas, parking lots, food courts and medical training facilities.  This is quite a challenge considering the College requires a wide variety of expertise from its commercial cleaning company 365 days a year.

Takhar says “This contract proves we are ready to take on larger federal / educational institutions that require full-time day porters and consistent high volume service.”

The RFP from the College was clear that it only wanted to deal with companies that could guarantee that “the work shall be performed by fully trained persons, competent in the particular operation assigned to them.”

Not An Easy Job For Any Commercial Cleaning Company

This is a busy college campus.  They don’t have time for small companies that can’t provide “fully trained” staff for all aspects of the commercial cleaning duties.

Right from the start it was clear that the College Of The Rockies wanted competent who can clean according to “specifications” using the “best techniques of the trade”.

Meeting the “specifications” would require a mature commercial cleaning company that can consistently supply:

  • All labour needed to do the job, at all times. If someone gets sick, they must be able to provide a replacement worker instantly, including another supervisor, if needed.
  • All cleaning supplies, chemicals and materials like sealers, waxes, plastic garbage bags, liners, tampons, sanitary napkins and disposal bags must be of good quality.
  • The commercial cleaning company must have all necessary equipment like polishers, commercial grade vacuums, auto scrubbers, buffers, carpet extractors, etc. and they have to be less than five years old.
  • All materials and chemicals must meet Canada Standards of Safety.

Using the “best techniques of the trade” means each and every person on the job must be thoroughly trained and have experience.  The College would not tolerate amateur “mistakes” commonly made by newbies.  A thorough cleaning and sanitizing of high priority areas would be required every day including:

  • Healthcare facilities such as dental labs, nursing labs and first aid classrooms.
  • Cafeteria and chef’s training classrooms and kitchens.
  • Daycare areas.
  • Aboriginal Gathering Place

“Extras” Are Included In The Contract

In addition to all scheduled cleaning, the commercial cleaning company is expected to

  • wash walls, ceilings, doors and window frames
  • floor stripping and refinishing
  • window cleaning inside and outside the building
  • clean the atrium and glass walls
  • clean light fixtures, lens and interior of fixtures
  • clean dust from ceiling

All tasks must be performed without breaching security measures and in accordance with fire and emergency regulations.

Since the College Of The Rockies is a public institution they also wanted to make sure the commercial cleaning company treats its workers properly.  The contract would only be awarded to a company that could prove that it pays its workers properly and on time.  All workers must be covered by Workers Compensation.

Comprehensive general liability insurance would be required by the company and all employees must have a Commercial Fidelity Bond in order to protect the College, its agents and “servants”.

When you look at all the requirements and scope of service, only an established company would be able to handle the job…new companies and small companies need not apply.

Fortunately, Evergreen Building Maintenance was able to provide proof that they could meet and exceed all the requirements of the College Of The Rockies at a great price!

Congratulations to all the local people that will be working to keep the College Of The Rockies looking beautiful!

If you have a local business, whether it’s small or large, Evergreen Building Maintenance has the in-house resources to keep your premises clean all year long.

Call now for a commercial cleaning company quote 1-855-824-8450 or 250-869-5165.

We’ll do a walkthrough of your building and build a custom strategy to get the best clean every day you come to work!

How to Keep Your Facility Germ and Bacteria Free During Flu Season

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Clean and hygienic workplaces are healthy workplaces. Thorough, regular cleaning is vital to ensuring this, because even when an office or building that looks clean, bacteria can still be lying in wait, ready to infect the next person who wanders through. Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and retirement residences, require particular cleaning methods and treatment to avoid the spread of germs that cause infection or illness. The same thing goes for schools and universities, as these are the places where germs spread fastest. Regular cleaning, especially the continuous sterilization of germ ‘hot spots’, is essential to maintaining productive study environments. Follow these important suggestions to keep your building healthy and safe during flu season:

GERM HOT SPOTS

Cleaning isn’t just for some people or some places; it’s for everyone and every workplace. Reducing the incidence and spread of workplace illness has a real bottom line impact on productivity, and limits the number of sick days employees need to take. Regular cleaning is important, especially for contact surfaces, which are areas in your building most often touched or handled by people passing through. Examples include: stair railings, door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, phones, and virtually any item or surface in the bathroom. These hot spots are prime mingling locations for bacteria and germs, and it is essential that they are cleaned thoroughly and regularly to stop the spread of infection and illness, especially during the fall and winter months when cold and flu infections are more prevalent and most likely to affect workplace productivity. As of 2015, Evergreen Building Maintenance maintains six municipal halls, three libraries, a 347 student educational facility, and fifty-eight public restrooms. This kind of experience has taught us how to handle high traffic areas while upholding immaculate levels of cleanliness.

HYGIENIC HABITS

Good hygienic habits contribute to cleanliness, and hand washing is perhaps the most essential habit to stop the spread of germs. In schools, teachers and parents teach children proper hygienic habits to keep them from getting sick at school. Regular hand washing – especially after a cough or sneeze, can significantly cut back on the spread of germs. It’s a simple but essential practice to stay healthy and productive. Employers and facility managers may also consider installing hands-free appliances that make it easier to keep hands clean, such as automatic toilet flushers and sensor-activated hand dryers and soap dispensers. By eliminating these high traffic touch points, you immediately reduce the chances of cross-contamination. Another good idea is to provide regulated hand sanitizer dispensers for when employees, patients or students are unable to get to a sink to wash up with soap and water. Making sure the restrooms in your building are maintained and stocked with the necessary sanitary products (such as soap, hand sanitizer, hand towels, etc.) enables people to maintain proper hygienic habits.

BREATHING IN THE CLEAN AIR

As we spend the vast majority of our day inside, it is essential that any building or office maintains good air quality. Air pollutants that linger indoors include bacteria, dust, and even mold. Clean air is essential in the maintenance of good health, and this goes even further for indoor air where it is usually warmer and where there is less ventilation. Therefore, keep all of your vents clear of any blockages, encourage a more scent-free environment, vacuum regularly with approved HEPA filters and maintain your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

HIRE THE PROFESSIONALS

When something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right, so hire a professional and reputable cleaning company that is specially trained to understand and follow all procedures and requirements for the work that you assign them. Ensure that all cleaning techniques, equipment and products used by the company serve to provide the cleanest environment possible. Look for detailed safety standards and the continuous training of employees in best practices.

A healthy workplace will help your staff be at their best all year round by reducing the spread of infection and decreasing the impact of flu season on their health and productivity. Evergreen Building Maintenance is qualified to undertake any type of cleaning contract, regardless of the size or unique requirements. Our goal is to create a janitorial program that is seamless for our clients. Contact us today to learn more.