Cleaning Glossary — Equipment & Technology

Updated Jun 3, 2026 Reviewed by Opora Editorial Team Editorial standards →

A reference glossary of 25 terms used in commercial cleaning equipment & technology. Definitions are anchored to primary sources from BLS, OSHA, EPA, ISSA, APPA, and CDC.

Jump to term

Autoscrubber (Equipment category)
Burnisher (Equipment category)
HEPA Vacuum
Backpack Vacuum
Wet-Dry Vacuum
Carpet Extractor
Electrostatic Sprayer
Fogger
Autonomous Mobile Robot
IoT Sensor (cleaning)
Brain Corp
Tennant Company
Avidbots
ICE Robotics
RaaS
Payback Period
Depreciation Schedule
Lease vs. Buy (equipment)
Total Cost of Ownership
Janitorial Management Software
CleanTelligent
Swept (software)
CRM (BSC)
UV-C Disinfection Device
Pressure Washer

Autoscrubber (Equipment category)

Also called: Automatic scrubber

An autoscrubber is a self-contained powered floor machine that dispenses cleaning solution, mechanically scrubs the floor with a rotating pad or brush, and recovers soiled solution and liquid in a single forward pass. Walk-behind models have scrub deck widths of 17 to 28 inches; ride-on models range from 28 inches to over 48 inches. ISSA 447 equipment productivity standards document production rates by configuration: walk-behind units typically achieve 10,000 to 25,000 square feet per hour; ride-on models achieve 35,000 to 60,000 square feet per hour in open areas. The autoscrubber eliminates the standing-water hazard of conventional mopping because solution is applied and recovered nearly simultaneously. BSCs evaluating autoscrubber investment against manual mopping should use ISSA 447 rates to calculate the labor-hour delta, then compare labor savings over a defined payback period against equipment purchase or lease cost. Maintenance requirements — battery service, squeegee blade replacement, pad driver inspection — must be included in total cost of ownership calculations.

Related: Walk-Behind Scrubber, Ride-On Scrubber, Autonomous Mobile Robot (floor scrubber), Total Cost of Ownership, Production Rate

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

Burnisher (Equipment category)

Also called: High-speed burnisher; UHS machine

A burnisher is a high-speed floor machine operating at 1,000 to 3,000+ RPM designed to restore gloss in polymer floor finish through frictional heat generated between the pad and the finish surface. Available in electric (corded or battery) and propane-powered configurations; UHS (ultra-high-speed) electric models and propane models produce the highest gloss results on VCT. ISSA 447 equipment productivity standards document burnishing production rates by machine size and RPM. Productivity in open, unobstructed areas can reach 40,000 to 80,000 square feet per hour on a large-deck, high-RPM propane burnisher. Burnishing requires adequate floor finish film thickness to be effective; a depleted or heavily scratched finish will not burnish to high gloss. BSCs should train floor technicians that burnishing is a gloss maintenance procedure — it does not clean the floor and must not substitute for scheduled scrubbing or recoating in floor care programs.

Related: Autoscrubber, Floor Finish, RPM (floor equipment), Floor Pad Color, Propane Burnisher

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

HEPA Vacuum

Standard vacuum cleaners exhaust fine particles — including allergens, mold spores, lead dust, and pathogens — back into room air. A HEPA vacuum stops that recirculation.

Read the full guide →

Backpack Vacuum

Also called: Carried vacuum; backpack vac

A backpack vacuum is a vacuum cleaner worn on the operator's back with a shoulder harness, connected to a suction wand and floor tool through a flexible hose. The backpack design allows the operator to move continuously without repositioning a wheeled upright or canister unit, enabling faster area coverage in corridors, stairwells, and open office areas. ISSA 447 documents backpack vacuum productivity rates averaging 30 to 40% higher than equivalent upright vacuums in open commercial spaces, translating directly to fewer labor hours per square foot. Backpack models are available with standard filtration and HEPA filtration; BSCs serving healthcare accounts should specify HEPA-filter backpack models. Operator ergonomics should be evaluated for backpack vacuum programs — harness fit, machine weight (typically 9 to 15 pounds), and shift duration affect musculoskeletal strain risk, which is an OSHA recordkeeping consideration. Weight distribution and harness quality vary significantly between models.

Related: HEPA Vacuum, Production Rate, ISSA 447, Autoscrubber, Janitorial Management Software

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

Wet-Dry Vacuum

Also called: Shop vac; industrial vacuum

A wet-dry vacuum is a vacuum system designed to recover both liquid spills and dry debris using a motor bypass or separated wet chamber that protects the motor from liquid damage. Common applications in BSC operations include spill response (water, cleaning solution, beverage spills), post-floor-stripping water recovery, water damage response prior to professional restoration, and pickup of heavy grit from construction cleanups. ISSA equipment standards include wet-dry recovery as a defined equipment category. Motor bypass wet-dry vacuums route liquid-laden air away from the motor before discharge; submersible pump models recover large water volumes continuously. For BSCs, wet-dry vacuums are essential safety tools in floor care programs: after stripping a large floor area, using a wet-dry vacuum to recover the chemical slurry before mopping is faster and more complete than mopping alone, reducing the risk of residual alkalinity interfering with new finish adhesion.

Related: Autoscrubber, Floor Stripping, Carpet Extractor, Wet Floor Warning, Production Rate

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

Carpet Extractor

Also called: Hot-water extractor; portable extractor

A carpet extractor is a machine that injects pressurized hot cleaning solution into carpet pile through a spray jet and simultaneously extracts it — along with suspended soil and moisture — through a vacuum recovery system into a separate waste tank. Portable extractors are the standard BSC configuration, typically providing solution heat of 140°F to 210°F and vacuum lift of 100 to 150 inches of water. Truck-mount extractors mounted in a service van deliver superior heat and vacuum performance for high-volume commercial carpet contracts. IICRC S100 is the standard reference for professional carpet cleaning equipment and methods. BSCs selecting portable extractors should evaluate water lift (vacuum power), solution tank capacity, heat recovery rate (how quickly it reheats between passes), and total system weight for multi-floor accounts. Portable extractors require daily maintenance — waste tank emptying and rinsing, solution tank cleaning, squeegee and wand inspection — to prevent odor and mechanical failure between jobs.

Related: Carpet Extraction, Low-Moisture Carpet Cleaning, IICRC, Total Cost of Ownership, Production Rate

Source: https://www.iicrc.org/standards

Electrostatic Sprayer

The back and underside of a bus seat. The leg of a hospital chair.

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Fogger

Also called: Thermal fogger; ULV fogger

A fogger is a device that generates a fine aerosol mist of disinfectant solution for large-area surface treatment, available in thermal (heat-vaporized droplets) and ULV (ultra-low volume, compressed-air atomized droplets) configurations. EPA Label Review Manual governs what fogging applications a disinfectant is registered for: a product must explicitly state on its label that it can be used in a fogger, ULV applicator, or thermal fogger; using a product by fogging when the label only permits manual spray violates FIFRA. Operators must vacate the space during and for the label-specified re-entry interval after fogging treatment. For BSCs, fogging is a supplemental disinfection tool for large room disinfection (stadium restrooms, school classrooms) — it is not a substitute for manual surface cleaning and contact-time disinfection, because fogged surfaces may not achieve adequate product deposit or contact time uniformly on all surfaces. Documenting the product's label permission for fogging application and the re-entry interval for worker safety is required.

Related: Electrostatic Sprayer, Kill Claim, Contact Time, EPA Registration Number, Personal Protective Equipment

Source: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/label-review-manual

Autonomous Mobile Robot

Also called: AMR; cleaning robot

An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) in cleaning is a self-navigating robotic platform that uses LiDAR, camera arrays, depth sensors, or combinations thereof to map facility layouts and operate floor scrubbing or vacuuming passes without a human driver during the cleaning cycle. Commercial AMR scrubbers include the Tennant T7AMR and T16AMR (Brain Corp-powered), Avidbots Neo, and ICE Robotics Cobi 18. ISSA technology guidance covers AMR integration into BSC programs. AMRs require human operators for initial map creation and updating, pre-shift setup, edge and obstacle zone manual cleaning, chemical filling, and waste recovery. They are not fully autonomous building cleaning solutions; they replace the unattended scrubbing pass on open floor areas only. For BSCs, AMR ROI depends on labor cost per hour for the displaced task, productive hours deployed per day, and floor area characteristics (open vs. congested). RaaS pricing models reduce the capital barrier but increase total cost if machine utilization is below the break-even hours per day.

Related: Autoscrubber, RaaS, Total Cost of Ownership, Tennant Company, Brain Corp

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

IoT Sensor (cleaning)

Also called: Internet of Things sensor; smart sensor

IoT sensors in cleaning operations are network-connected devices deployed in facilities to transmit real-time data about conditions that drive cleaning demand or IAQ performance. Sensor types relevant to BSC operations include people-counters (tracking restroom entries to trigger demand-based dispatch), consumable-level sensors (alerting when soap, tissue, or towel dispensers fall below threshold), temperature and humidity sensors (monitoring IAQ conditions), and particulate matter sensors (PM2.5 and PM10 monitoring for LEED/WELL compliance). EPA indoor air quality resources and ASHRAE 62.1 provide the air quality standards that IAQ sensors validate against. For BSCs, IoT-based restroom dispatch — replacing fixed-schedule cleaning visits with occupancy-triggered dispatches — can reduce total restroom labor hours in low-to-moderate traffic periods while maintaining or improving cleanliness in peak traffic periods. Implementation requires sensor hardware investment, software integration with the BSC's management platform, and account manager agreement on dispatch threshold calibration and response time standards.

Related: Autonomous Mobile Robot, Touchless Dispenser, ASHRAE 62.1, Janitorial Management Software, Restroom Cleaning Frequency

Source: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq

Brain Corp

Also called: BrainOS

Brain Corp is a San Diego-based robotics software company whose BrainOS operating platform powers autonomous navigation for commercial floor scrubbing robots. In February 2024, Tennant Company and Brain Corp signed an exclusive technology agreement making Brain Corp the sole autonomous navigation software provider for Tennant's commercial AMR fleet. Tennant investor relations confirmed the partnership, which covers the Tennant T7AMR and T16AMR models. As of 2026, BrainOS-powered robots have logged operations across more than 6 continents. Brain Corp is privately held; its financial results are not publicly disclosed. For BSCs evaluating AMR platforms, the Brain Corp/Tennant relationship means that choosing the Tennant AMR ecosystem commits the operation to BrainOS for the life of the machines. BSCs should evaluate the software's fleet management portal, remote monitoring capabilities, and map management tools as part of the AMR procurement decision.

Related: Tennant Company, Autonomous Mobile Robot, RaaS, Total Cost of Ownership, Janitorial Management Software

Source: https://investors.tennantco.com/news/news-details/2024/Tennant-Company-and-Brain-Corp-Sign-Exclusive-Technology-Agreement-To-Accelerate-Robotic-Floor-Cleaning-Innovation-and-Adoption/default.aspx

Tennant Company

Also called: Tennant

Tennant Company is a U.S. public corporation (NYSE: TNC) headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, manufacturing commercial and industrial floor care equipment including autoscrubbers, ride-on sweepers, and industrial scrubbers. Tennant's AMR product line — T7AMR, T16AMR, and X4 ROVR — uses Brain Corp's BrainOS autonomous navigation platform under an exclusive partnership signed in February 2024. Tennant investor relations provides public financial data and press releases. Tennant distributes through a direct sales force and an authorized dealer network in North America. For BSCs purchasing capital floor care equipment, Tennant is one of the two largest commercial autoscrubber manufacturers (alongside Nilfisk and other European brands). Tennant's AMR line targets enterprise BSC accounts and large facilities with open floor areas; their conventional autoscrubber line spans small walk-behind units to large ride-ons for all account sizes. Equipment pricing, dealer support quality, and local parts availability are practical due-diligence factors beyond published specifications.

Related: Autonomous Mobile Robot, Brain Corp, Avidbots, RaaS, Total Cost of Ownership

Source: https://investors.tennantco.com

Avidbots

Also called: Avidbots Neo

Avidbots is a Canadian robotics company producing the Neo autonomous floor scrubber, a commercial AMR that uses computer vision and LiDAR for facility navigation. Avidbots operates as a competitor to Tennant/Brain Corp in the commercial cleaning AMR segment. Avidbots markets the Neo to large facility operators and BSCs in retail, airports, healthcare, and distribution centers. The Neo is positioned as a fully autonomous scrubber available through a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) pricing model as well as outright purchase. For BSCs evaluating AMR options, Avidbots represents an alternative to the Tennant/Brain Corp platform; operational considerations include navigation performance in dynamic environments (people flow, merchandise layouts), fleet management software, and the geographic coverage of Avidbots' service and support network for maintenance and hardware replacement. As a privately held company, Avidbots' financial position and service capabilities should be verified with reference customers before multi-unit commitments.

Related: Autonomous Mobile Robot, Tennant Company, Brain Corp, RaaS, Total Cost of Ownership

Source: https://www.avidbots.com

ICE Robotics

Also called: ICE Cobotics; Cobi 18

ICE Robotics is a commercial cleaning robotics manufacturer producing the Cobi 18 collaborative autonomous floor scrubber, designed for operation alongside human cleaning crews in congested environments including retail stores, airports, and institutional buildings. The "cobotic" design is intended for settings where full autonomous operation is impractical due to frequent human traffic interruptions, narrow aisle configurations, or complex obstacle environments that slow fully autonomous navigation. ICE Robotics distributes the Cobi 18 through a dealer network with a RaaS pricing option. For BSCs, the Cobi 18's cobotic positioning distinguishes it from the Tennant/Brain Corp and Avidbots fully autonomous models; it is designed to operate alongside a human operator who handles obstacles and edge zones while the robot maintains the primary floor path. Productivity gains from cobotic models are more modest than fully autonomous scrubbers in wide-open environments but can be more suitable for medium-density facility layouts.

Related: Autonomous Mobile Robot, Tennant Company, Avidbots, RaaS, Total Cost of Ownership

Source: https://www.icerobotics.com

RaaS

Also called: Robot-as-a-Service

Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) is a subscription pricing model for autonomous floor cleaning robots in which the BSC or facility operator pays a recurring monthly fee that covers the robot hardware, software platform, maintenance, upgrades, and technical support rather than purchasing the equipment outright. RaaS transfers hardware risk (failure, obsolescence) from the BSC to the vendor and reduces the capital barrier to AMR adoption. ISSA technology guidance has addressed RaaS as an emerging commercial model. For BSCs, the RaaS decision requires break-even analysis: monthly RaaS fee compared to monthly labor hours saved multiplied by the fully burdened hourly rate for the displaced task. If the robot is deployed below a threshold utilization level (typically eight to ten productive hours per day), RaaS cost per productive hour often exceeds the labor it replaces. The RaaS model is most financially defensible in large-area accounts with long daily scrubbing windows and predictable floor layouts.

Related: Autonomous Mobile Robot, Total Cost of Ownership, Payback Period, Depreciation Schedule, Lease vs. Buy (equipment)

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

Payback Period

Also called: ROI payback; break-even period

Payback period is the time required for net operating savings from a capital equipment investment to equal the initial purchase, installation, or lease cost. For cleaning equipment, the standard calculation is: initial capital cost ÷ annual labor savings = payback period in years. For an autonomous floor scrubber purchased at $60,000 that displaces 2,000 labor hours per year at a fully burdened $25/hour rate, the labor savings are $50,000/year and the payback period is 1.2 years. IRS Publication 946 governs depreciation treatment, which affects the after-tax payback calculation. For BSCs, the payback period calculation must use fully burdened labor rates — not base wages — to be accurate, since every displaced labor hour saves the entire burden load, not just the wage component. Equipment maintenance cost, consumable cost (pads, solutions), and downtime allowance must reduce the net savings figure to produce a realistic payback period rather than an optimistic manufacturer-provided estimate.

Related: Total Cost of Ownership, RaaS, Depreciation Schedule, Lease vs. Buy (equipment), Labor Burden

Source: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946

Depreciation Schedule

Also called: Equipment depreciation

A depreciation schedule is the accounting method for recovering the cost of a capital asset over its useful life. Under the IRS Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), commercial cleaning equipment (autoscrubbers, burnishers, extractors) typically falls under a 5-year or 7-year recovery class. IRS Section 179 allows BSC owners to elect to immediately expense the full cost of qualifying equipment in the year of purchase (up to the Section 179 deduction limit, $1,160,000 in 2023) rather than depreciating over the recovery period. Bonus depreciation (100% in 2022, phasing down by 20% per year through 2026) provides an additional accelerated deduction option. For BSCs, understanding depreciation options is relevant to lease-vs.-buy decisions: Section 179 expensing can make outright purchase more attractive than a multi-year lease when the BSC has sufficient taxable income to use the deduction. The depreciation benefit should be included in the full capital cost comparison.

Related: Payback Period, Lease vs. Buy (equipment), Total Cost of Ownership, RaaS, Gross Margin

Source: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946

Lease vs. Buy (equipment)

Also called: Lease vs. purchase

The lease vs. buy decision for cleaning equipment compares the total cost of acquiring equipment use through operating or capital leases against outright purchase, considering net present value, tax implications, cash flow, residual value, and risk allocation. Operating leases (treated as expense) preserve capital and provide equipment return or upgrade options at lease end; capital/finance leases (treated as debt) build ownership and allow depreciation deductions. IRS Publication 946 governs depreciation treatment for purchased equipment; lease payments are deductible as operating expenses. For BSCs, the decision hinges on: available capital (purchase requires upfront cash or financing); tax position (Section 179 and bonus depreciation make purchasing attractive if there is taxable income to offset); technology risk (fast-evolving AMR technology favors leasing to avoid owning obsolete equipment); and account tenure certainty (purchasing equipment for a specific account that may not renew creates stranded asset risk). RaaS is a variant of the operating lease model that includes maintenance and software support.

Related: Depreciation Schedule, Payback Period, Total Cost of Ownership, RaaS, Gross Margin

Source: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946

Total Cost of Ownership

Also called: TCO

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the comprehensive cost of owning and operating an asset over its full useful life, including acquisition price, installation, training, maintenance (labor and parts), consumables (pads, solutions, batteries), downtime opportunity cost, operator time for setup and oversight, and eventual disposal or residual value. ISSA technology ROI guidance applies TCO analysis to cleaning equipment decisions. For autonomous floor scrubbers, the TCO framework includes: capital or RaaS cost; software subscription fees; battery replacement cycles; navigation map maintenance; consumable (pad) cost; operator setup time allocated per productive hour; and the cost of downtime from equipment failure. For BSCs, comparing TCO of an AMR against the TCO of conventional autoscrubbing (operator labor, equipment maintenance, consumables) is the correct financial evaluation — not a simple sticker-price comparison. A lower-priced AMR with a poor manufacturer service network can generate higher TCO through downtime and delayed repairs than a higher-priced model with robust local dealer support.

Related: Payback Period, Depreciation Schedule, Lease vs. Buy (equipment), RaaS, Autonomous Mobile Robot

Source: https://www.issa.com/standards-certification

Janitorial Management Software

Also called: JMS; cleaning management software

Janitorial management software (JMS) is a software platform managing BSC operational workflows including work order creation and dispatch, employee scheduling and time tracking, site-specific task instructions, inspection scoring with photographic evidence, customer reporting portals, and account profitability monitoring. Major platforms in the small-to-midmarket BSC segment include Swept, Janitorial Manager, CleanTelligent, and ServiceTitan (which acquired ServiceMonster). ISSA technology resources include JMS as a standard BSC operational tool category. For BSCs, JMS adoption reduces the administrative overhead of managing multiple accounts — scheduling, instruction delivery, and quality documentation that would otherwise require phone calls, paper forms, and manual data entry. The ROI of JMS is best measured through reduction in reactive complaint-response time, improvement in inspection completion rates, and reduction in overtime driven by schedule coordination failures. Integration with payroll and accounting systems (QuickBooks, Gusto) is a practical requirement for mid-size BSCs.

Related: CleanTelligent, Swept (software), CRM (BSC), IoT Sensor (cleaning), Inspection Scoring

Source: https://www.issa.com/resources

CleanTelligent

Also called: Inspection software; QC software

CleanTelligent is a commercial cleaning management and quality control software platform providing real-time inspection scoring with photographic documentation, client-facing portals for transparent quality reporting, work order management, and service request tracking. ISSA technology resources list CleanTelligent as a recognized BSC operations platform. CleanTelligent's client portal functionality is a differentiator for BSCs pursuing mid-market and institutional accounts where client transparency is a procurement criterion. For BSCs, the platform's inspection module allows supervisors to document quality scores by area, attach photos of deficiencies and corrected conditions, and generate trend reports that demonstrate continuous improvement. CIMS certification requirements for documented quality inspection systems can be met through CleanTelligent's documented workflows. BSCs evaluating CleanTelligent against Swept and Janitorial Manager should compare mobile app performance on the specific devices their supervisors carry, geographic support availability, and per-seat pricing at their account and employee volume.

Related: Janitorial Management Software, Swept (software), Inspection Scoring, CRM (BSC), CIMS

Source: https://www.issa.com/resources

Swept (software)

Also called: Swept cleaning software

Swept is a BSC operations software platform designed primarily for small-to-mid-size building service contractors, offering employee scheduling, site-specific task instructions, two-way messaging, GPS-based check-in verification, time tracking, and basic account management reporting. ISSA technology resources include Swept among recognized BSC operations platforms. Swept's mobile-first design and two-way messaging capability are frequently cited by BSC operators as strengths for communication-intensive small crew management. The platform's account profitability monitoring module tracks budgeted vs. actual labor hours per account, enabling margin monitoring without a full accounting system integration. For BSCs evaluating JMS platforms, Swept's strength is operational communication and scheduling for companies managing 10 to 150 employees; its inspection and client reporting capabilities are less comprehensive than CleanTelligent. BSCs prioritizing inspection documentation and client transparency for institutional accounts may find Swept's reporting module insufficient and should evaluate CleanTelligent or Janitorial Manager alongside it.

Related: Janitorial Management Software, CleanTelligent, CRM (BSC), Inspection Scoring, Frequency Matrix

Source: https://www.issa.com/resources

CRM (BSC)

Also called: Customer relationship management

A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for BSCs manages the sales pipeline, prospect and client records, proposal tracking, contract renewal dates, and customer interaction history. Platforms used by BSCs range from general-purpose tools (HubSpot free tier, Salesforce Essentials, Zoho) to BSC-specific enterprise platforms (Aspire, which includes operations management alongside CRM functionality). ISSA business resources address CRM as part of the BSC technology stack. For BSCs, a CRM creates systematic follow-up on proposals, tracks renewal dates 90 to 120 days in advance (the standard window for proactive renewal conversations), and stores client history that survives account manager turnover. Without a CRM, renewal risk concentrates in account managers' individual knowledge — a retention and business continuity vulnerability. The ROI of a CRM for a BSC with $1M+ revenue is most visible in proposal-to-close conversion improvement and in reduction of surprise contract losses where the renewal conversation never happened.

Related: Janitorial Management Software, Swept (software), CleanTelligent, Customer Lifetime Value, Churn Rate

Source: https://www.issa.com/resources

UV-C Disinfection Device

Also called: UV-C robot; ultraviolet disinfection

UV-C disinfection devices emit germicidal ultraviolet light at approximately 254 nm wavelength to inactivate pathogens on surfaces and in air by damaging their nucleic acids and preventing replication. CDC environmental infection control guidance addresses UV-C as a supplemental disinfection technology in healthcare, noting it reduces surface pathogen burden but is not a substitute for manual cleaning and chemical disinfection. UV-C devices range from portable wand units to autonomous robotic platforms (Xenex, Tru-D) used in hospital room terminal disinfection. UV-C efficacy is distance- and angle-dependent; surfaces in shadow (under beds, chair backs, equipment sides) receive reduced UV-C dose and may not achieve adequate log reduction. All personnel must vacate the space during UV-C treatment — direct UV-C exposure causes skin burns and corneal injury. For BSCs offering UV-C disinfection as an add-on service, protocol documentation (room layout, device placement, exposure time, re-entry interval) and client-facing result reporting are required for the service to have defensible clinical value.

Related: Disinfectant, Kill Claim, Contact Time, GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, Autonomous Mobile Robot

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/guidelines/environmental/index.html

Pressure Washer

Also called: Power washer

A pressure washer is a high-pressure water delivery system — operating at 1,000 to 4,000 PSI for commercial units — used for exterior surface cleaning, equipment decontamination, parking structure washing, dumpster pad cleaning, and facility wash-down applications. Pressure washers are available in cold-water and hot-water (up to 250°F) configurations; hot-water pressure washers are more effective on grease and oil-contaminated surfaces. OSHA pressure washing safety guidance addresses eye and skin injury from high-pressure water streams, requiring face shield, impervious gloves, and appropriate footwear as PPE. Chemical injection systems allow detergent application at the pressure washer nozzle; when injecting EPA-registered disinfectants, operators must verify the product's label permission for pressure washer or "mechanical dilution" application. Wastewater from exterior pressure washing may contain cleaning chemicals, heavy metals, and organic material; many municipalities regulate pressure washing discharge to storm drains and may require containment, neutralization, or collection before disposal.

Related: Personal Protective Equipment, Safety Data Sheet, Floor Stripping, Autoscrubber, EPA Registration Number

Source: https://www.osha.gov