The right machine for floor type

Maintaining factories and industrial premises is crucial to creating a safe and hygienic environment. As many of these premises are vast and cover larger surface areas, utilising an enhanced cleaning programme is key to minimising dirt build-up.

The PDIR (Preventative, Daily, Interim and Restorative) cleaning method helps to reduce dirt build-up by focusing outwards in, to minimise particle build-up in the working premises. However, it is impossible to remove all dirt, so when it does enter the facility, scrubber dryers allow facilities managers to easily clean large surface areas as part of their daily cleaning processes.

Scrubber dryers offer great reliability, exceptional user experience and a high-level of overall cleaning performance. Able to tackle dirt effectively, the scrubber dryers remove loosened dirt in a single pass to leave surfaces dry, clean, and safe to prevent trips and falls.
Depending on the size of the space there are two types of scrubber dryers to consider: walk-behind and ride-on scrubber dryers. For open spaces, ride-on scrubber dryers are most effective, due to their vast onboard water tanks. The B 100 from Kärcher, for example, has two 100 litre tanks onboard, each adapted to hold fresh or dirty water to enable the user to clean for longer. Walk-behind scrubber dryers are ideal for more narrow spaces due the added control and manoeuvrability.
When it comes to daily cleaning, it is crucial to be able to clean quickly and efficiently. Added technologies such as speed-dependent water dosing technology make scrubber dryers particularly adept for the task at hand. Speed-dependent water dosing technology helps to reduce water usage by reducing water flow when the scrubber dryer goes round bends or slows down. Saving up to 50% of water used, the reduced water usage results in faster drying of the ground surface and less residual water in bends, ensuring a safe, slip-free working environment.

Additionally, the robust materials used for their construction enable them to be used day in day out. Due to possible collisions with obstacles, there are two main areas facility managers looking to select a scrubber dryer should focus on for daily use. Firstly, the brush-head needs to have a sturdy casing with an overhanging lip to protect the brush. The addition of robust aluminium brush heads results in high-quality cleaning performance and low backlash reducing noise levels during cleaning by up to 10 dB(A). The reduction in noise makes it easier for users to work over extended periods.
Secondly, the squeegee should be made with a tear-resistant suction lip to prevent tears. Newer machines now come with supporting arms for the squeegees made from sturdy die-cast aluminium to help maintain shape and allow users to continue to clean for longer. Breakages from tears and accidental collisions can result in downtime for the machine whilst it is being repaired.  

Most facilities have multiple cleaning staff, so it is important that the ride-on scrubber dryers selected have a built-in height-adjustable seat. As users will all be of different heights and build, an adjustable seat maximises economic value of the machine as it can be used by multiple cleaners who can find the perfect sitting position irrespective of their physical height. Additionally, with the KIK key system, scrubber dryers can be locked to pre-set functions and cleaning levels to make the machines easier for multiple staff to use.

With greater demand for floorcare and overall cleanliness as people return to work, the technological developments and effectiveness of scrubber dryers make them a key solution for those looking to maintain a safe and clean working industrial facility.
Daniel Took, is head of professional product marketing at Kärcher UK
www.kaercher.com/uk