Sanitation in Building Products and Architecture
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This week, we talk about the evolving state of COVID and how to keep our work and home spaces safe through cleaning.
More About the Show
The Build Perspectives podcast shares insider knowledge to build connections and community in the building materials industry. Tim and Carolina are friends, colleagues and former coworkers who love the construction industry and their clients, and want to share their passion and insights to attract future talent to the industry
In this episode, Tim and Carolina talk about how COVID-19 is changing the workplace, how building manufacturers and representatives are going to approach the new types of building and talk about how interaction with clients will change, along with cleaning protocols and products.
Workspace Changes
Carolina starts this episode off by discussing how there are great prototypes of workspaces and co-workspaces from design and architecture firms that allow for social distancing requirements. With health concerns being brought to the forefront during this time, sanitation and social distancing have become priorities.
Tim’s talks about his term “COVID plan review,” and how people need to create places with caution to health. However, Tim states that people should create a new mindset while creating new spaces, and people shouldn’t be scared of the change, but instead embrace the new materials.
About 50% of people working from home will want to stay home, but people will have to go back at some point. It is important to maintain a great work environment while keeping people safe and healthy. The future is being redefined by the workspace, but how are we going to adjust to it?
Keeping Spirits Up
Tim mentions how he has adjusted and said that with video conferencing, his team will send pizza, sandwiches and gift cards to the person’s house or office if they are having multiple people over. For his team, this has been super fun and refreshing.
But meetings like job site visits are still impacted during this time. How? With bad weather, people that are visiting job sites will have to meet in smaller quarters. And of course, having to meet with people during this time is difficult because of the health risks. How do you have a precon meeting? How are clients supposed to attend meetings where they need to touch and see a design board for a project? This affects guests, owners, clients and occupants. So, what do we do?
Carolina talks about the great prototypes she has seen and mentions the lobby design. She says that the lobbies of offices mirror the lobby of a hotel (Links). A big area for people to meet comfortably with everything they need nearby, all while maintaining social distancing.
Tim discusses how his friend’s Lewis and Clark Museum found a way to stay open by allowing small groups of people inside while also taking some exhibits outdoors, all while cleaning things that people touch and keeping customers happy. Discovering a protocol for cleaning is essential during this time.
Systematic Cleaning
Discovering a system for cleaning is important because people need a systematic and centralized way of cleaning. People need to be willing to collaborate with wayfinding designers. Not only is a system for cleaning essential, but also figuring out what cleaning products to use is important, too. Figuring out what materials are cleanable and easy to replace/sanitize while maintaining a commitment to the environment is a task in itself.
Facility managers need to collaborate with building manufacturers to find what building maintenance should be with everything going on. There needs to be some type of system put in place for labeling cleaned objects and how often those objects need to be cleaned. Facility managers need to be paid attention to, as they are the ones implementing the updated protocols, expectations, procedures and frequencies.
However, the problem lies in that manufacturers don’t really think about the end-user: maintenance folks. Getting close to them is important because creating a healthy and sustainable environment for people to work without worrying about safety is the key. So, it would be a good idea for there to be new classes or certification about health, hygiene and sanitation to help guide the people prepping workspaces.
Correct Cleaning Products
There is a difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. It is a good, better and best system, and you need to remember that some objects and surfaces need different types of cleansing. One surface might be good to go after a simple cleaning, while others may need to be disinfected to combat all of the germs.
You have to make sure that your products are as effective as you want them to be. For example, Clorox doesn’t eliminate mold, it just bleaches it white. So, when buying products, be mindful of what they are actually doing.
It’s important to keep doing research. Things keep evolving with COVID-19, and updates are constantly being made. Research and look for materials that are cleanable and disinfectable on whatever surface you are cleaning. Keep checking the CDC for updates and news on the virus.
And most importantly, stay safe.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this week’s episode! Shoot us an email at buildperspectives@gmail.com.
Sites Mentioned
Recommended Cleaners
Certifications
- AIA: Understanding anti-mycobacterium ingredients and building Materials in light of the current and future health crisis
- STRIVE Infection Control Training
- ISSA for Cleaning Industry
Articles & Tips
- Cleaning & disinfecting & sanitizing doesn’t mean the same thing!! Good Better Best system! Some surfaces need different things
- Steel Case article