MAINTENANCE
Toilet’s conditions must be maintained, monitored, made good, and revitalized to optimize the service performance. At this phase, the toilet is used or operated and then maintained as necessary. Depending on the toilet, this phase may go from months to years or even decades to have a very planned use and maintenance approach.
1) Sequence of Cleaning
General cleaning should be carried out daily. It should follow a systematic sequence to avoid areas, which were previously cleaned from becoming wet and soiled again before the cleaning process is completed. The general cleaning should be divided into spot and thorough cleaning. The sequence of cleaning should follow this checklist:
· Replace all expendable supplies
· Pick up litter and sweep the floor
· Clean and sanitize commodes and urinals
· Cleans and sanitize basins
· Clean mirrors and polish all brightwork
· Spot-clean walls, ledges, vents, and partitions
· Wet-mop floors
· Inspect work and correct any errors
2) Schedule Cleaning
Scheduled cleaning should be carried out periodically on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis (different surfaces, wares, and fittings require different cleaning periods to maintain their cleanliness). Scheduled cleaning should be carried out during off-peak hours to avoid inconveniencing the user.
3) Timing and Frequency of Cleaning
The timing and frequency of cleaning should be determined by the crowd flow. Cleaning should be done more often during peak hours and less during off-peak hours. The frequency of cleaning is usually determined by the expectation and standard of maintenance required by the management of the property and also the budget available for the maintenance of toilets.
4) Basic Equipment and Supplies
Different equipment for different joints and corners, as well as different disinfectants, should be used in the cleaning of different sanitary wares and fittings.
5) Correct Use of Cleaning Agents
Cleaners of public toilets should be trained in the proper usage of specific cleaning, agents, and equipment for different types of materials and finishes in the toilets, e.g. tiles, mirrors, stainless steel.
6) Mechanical Ventilation System
The mechanical ventilation system should be:-
· Properly maintained to ensure maximum efficiency and optimal operating conditions
· Checked and serviced monthly. Cleaning of the systems should also be done weekly via wiping or dusting
7) Training
Toilet cleaners should be properly trained and certified to perform the task well. One such certification is the National Skills Recognition System (NSRS) for cleaning toilets. Supervisors should also be trained with the right knowledge and skills to effectively supervise the cleaners.
USER EDUCATION
The fundamental objective of user education is to expose the basic knowledge understanding and skills which are necessary to keep maintain cleanliness when the use of public toilets.
1) Persuading users to do their part
Having public education messages in the toilets can help persuade users to do their part in keeping toilets clean. To be effective in persuading people to do their part, a message has to be:
· Attended to
· Assimilated
· Remembered (for future action)
2) Message Design
People readily attend to visuals. This makes the use of visuals an important part of the design of the message. Generally, visuals should be attractive, eye-catching, simple, and uncluttered.
The language of public education has to be kept simple.
· The reading level should not be more advanced than that of a Primary Six reader
· Jargon, big words, and long sentences should be avoided
· Slogans can be very effective
3) Message Placement
The usual means of message placement in public toilets are posters and stickers. To maximize the effectiveness of the message, the right medium and manner of displacement should be selected. Generally, stickers should be used if:
· The main purpose of user education is to address specific behavioral concerns such as littering, careless aiming, or the flinging of water everywhere
· Subtlety is preferred
For display, stickers should be made:
· Made of the vinyl material
· Made with an adhesive that can be peeled off without leaving unsightly marks
· Placed strategically at the spot where the problem behavior occurs
Posters should only be used when
· Displayed in a way that makes them repellent to water
· Mounted with non-marking adhesives