The Exhibitor (1955)

Mechanical Equipment in Maintenance By Leo J. Kelly, Executive Vice-PresicJent National Sanitary Supply Assoc., Inc. Chicago — The increased cost of manpower has accelerated the swing to mechanized cleaning in the sanitary maintenance of building, plant and institution, and equipment. With the passing of the day of low-priced abundant labor, the demand for power-driven scrubbing, polishing, and vacuuming equipment has reached new heights. Anything that will speed up the cleaning operation will usually reduce the payroll costs. Cleaning supplies such as soap, polishes, mops, brushes, detergents, still account for only about five per cent of the over-all cleaning maintenance cost, with labor representing 95 per cent of the cost figure. Mechanized cleaning machines are still low in price compared with the actual saving they create. Available workers today are not prone to work as hard as cleaning workers once did, so again better equipment, better methods and better planning in assignment of tasks are necessary. Mechanical equipment relieves cleaning operation of much of the former drudgery, thus permitting the employment of a higher type of worker with subsequent lessening in supervisory costs. In practically every other branch of business — the office, the factory, the shipping department, etc. — one finds every worker supplied with the latest and best tools to perform the job. This has not been true in the past for the department charged with the sanitary maintenance of the premises. Today, high labor costs and the importance of worker morale have brought a much-needed improvement in cleaning supervision. A good supervisor sees that his maintenance crew has the proper tools to work with. Just one brush or broom isn’t enough. A survey of the job to be done will show that push brooms, sweeping mops and brushes of various sizes will speed up the work and do the job better. Various types of cleaners and detergents chosen according to the type of floor and con¬ ditions encountered, will be found necessary. A full and complete survey of every cleaning operation should be made and charted, and the proper tools and supplies assigned. A blue print showing a complete job analysis and work schedule should then be set up. Cleaning methods can be improved and costs reduced if management will give proper consideration to this most necessary phase. Theatre Floor Care (Continued from page PT-G) When properly treated, terrazzo floors will require only dust mopping or vacuuming, or an occasional polishing to keep it clean and attractive under normal conditions. Water will be required only for stubborn stains, since dust and spill¬ age will not stick to a treated surface. The constant use of water is not required when a terrazzo sealer has been used. Not only does water leave the impression of a slippery floor, but if a soap is used that is not completely free rinsing, the scum remaining becomes an additional hazard. Rubber Tile If a theatreman intends to put in a rub¬ ber tile floor he should be careful to see that it be installed only by a qualified flooring contractor. It should not be in¬ stalled over any floor that is in direct contact with the groimd. For installation over wood subfloors, an underlayment of paper or felt paper is required. After installation rubber tile should be rolled with a 150 pound weighted roller, and then inspected to make certain all air pockets have been removed. Remove any cement which may have worked up be¬ tween the tiles. The surface should be cleaned and rinse cleaned with clear water and a mop. When the floor is dry, apply two coats of floor wax with an ap¬ plicator. Allow sufficient drying time be¬ tween coats. After second coat has dried it may be buffed with a floor machine, using a polishing brush or fine steel wool disc. Rubber tile is sensitive to lower temp¬ eratures and it should be handled and stored at room temperature (70°). Clean¬ ers containing oils, grease, or harsh clean¬ ing compounds should not be used on rubber tile. Sweeping compounds con¬ taining oil should not be used as they will stain and soften the floor surface. Spirittype penetrating sealers or waxes will soften and stain rubber tile and should not be used. Another warning is never to use harsh buffers on rubber tile, and do not buff it severely. Overbuffing breaks down the surface, and tends to make it porous. To guard against indentations by heavy objects, provide special dent-proof masters or rests. Linoleum While linoleum is not difficult to install, it is desirable to have an experienced floor contractor do this work. When linoleum has deteriorated or faded in color because of faulty or inade¬ quate maintenance, and replacement is impractical, the following procedure is recommended to restore its appearance and serviceability. Prepare the surface for treatment by cleaning it thoroughly. After the floor is dry, including the seams, a coat of asphalt tile preserver should be applied. This will restore color and beauty to the floor. The porosity of the floor is also reduced, and minute scratches which detract from the floor’s appearance and make maintenance more difficult, will be made smooth by this treatment. Two coats of wax will in¬ crease the lustre and wearability of the floor. Linoleum protected by anti-slip floor wax will require only dust moping or vacuuming, and an occasional polishing to keep it clean and attractive under normal conditions. Never use a harsh alkaline cleaning agent on linoleum. Excessive alkali will combine chemically with the oil used in making linoleum to form a soap-like mixture which breaks down the structure of linoleum. More linoleum is “washed out” than wears out. Another thing to be avoided in the care of linoleum is the excessive use of water. Hot water should never be used as it is injurious to lin¬ oleum floors. Care should be exercised in buffing. Harsh brushes should not be used, nor should buffing be carried to the degree of rubbing off the surface. Pene¬ trating seals or varnishes should never be used on linoleum that is in good or fair condition. These solvent type finishes should be used only on linoleum that has deteriorated to such a condition that it will not respond to ordinary care. Rubber tiles may be used in areas such as the concession stand with excellent results. However, this material should only be installed by an experienced and qualified flooring contractor. PT-14 PHYSICAL THEATRE DEPARTMENT of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR November 9, 1955