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Facilities Management

Staff training on proper cleaning/disinfection

Health officials stress that a primary method to abate the spread of viruses is through proper cleaning/disinfection procedures and protocols. To ensure cleaning/disinfecting is not only safe, but effective, staff must receive training. This training must include identification of approved products and their preparation, indications/contraindications, proper use of and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Facility Cleaning – Methods and products to use – schools, offices, buses, etc.

During a pandemic, facility and bus cleaning/disinfection is important to minimize the spread of the virus, particularly on hard surfaces (e.g., sinks, handles, railings, objects, and counters). Surfaces that are frequently touched with hands by students and staff should be cleaned and disinfected often, preferably daily.

Ordering of Cleaning Supplies

During a viral pandemic, cleaning, disinfecting, personal hygiene, and other supplies are used more frequently.

  • Ensure that supplies related to cleaning, disinfecting or hygiene are approved by health officials (recommendation list).
  • Monitor supply levels and order replacement items if additional supplies are needed.

Precautions

  • Staff and students should be reminded not to share cups, dishes, and cutlery and ensure these items are thoroughly washed with soap and hot water after use.
  • Remove all magazines/papers from waiting rooms and communal areas (such as breakrooms, kitchens).
  • When a person with a suspected viral infection is identified and has left the workplace, it is important that their work area/office, along with any other known places they have been are isolated, thoroughly cleaned, and disinfected.
  • Basic hygiene practices (including hand hygiene), protocols for the use of personal protection equipment and methods for waste disposal by the cleaners must be adhered to with fidelity.

Ventilation and Air Quality Assessments

To reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, DCSD increased outdoor air flow rates to dilute contaminates. Indoor temperature and humidity design criteria for all systems will be maintained. The increased fresh air was introduced in accordance with CDC and industry recommendations to the extent possible with our current systems. The facilities and maintenance department has implemented preventative maintenance on HVAC systems including system cleaning, filter changes, and mechanical inspection and service. Higher level of MERV rated filters targeting MERV 11 and MERV-13 if the filter level does not adversely impact system operation are in use.

Indoor Air Quality testing is being conducted when there is a suspected issue in a building. Whenever testing is performed and issues are identified, remediation of the problem occurs and then the area is retested.