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27/05/2020

COVID-19 Cleaning FAQs

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COVID-19 Cleaning FAQs

What is ‘decontamination cleaning’?

A specialist team works over several hours to sanitise your premises. They start by establishing a ‘safe zone’ covering all fire/smoke alarms, remove all phone handsets from their bases, then, using state-of-the-art machinery and an EN14476-approved chemical, they ‘mist’ the entire area which neutralises any airborne pathogens, settling on hard & soft surfaces to sanitise them.

What is ‘prevention cleaning’?

Using a 30-day product, we carry out a full fogging on a scheduled monthly basis to provide continuous peace-of-mind to you, your colleagues, and any others visiting your site.

Is it a ‘deep-clean’?

No. A standard deep-clean would involve vacuuming, dusting, and treating toilets, etc… During decontamination, the focus is purely on dispersing the chemical to neutralise the virus and any other germs present. The premises will need to be as clean as possible for sanitiser to reach every surface.

How long does it take?

This depends on the building size and type of premises but it can take anything from a few hours up to a full team working through the night.

How does fogging work?

A compressor machine atomises sanitiser into the air. The particles are so small they remain suspended in the air long enough to kill airborne pathogens (bacteria/viruses). It also eliminates pathogens on surfaces like desks, walls, floors, furniture. The mist is able to get in to all the nooks & crannies, without dismantling your building!

What is electrostatic disinfecting?

Electrostatic disinfecting (electrostatic cleaning) is another type of fogging. The electrostatic applicator applies a negative charge to the disinfecting solution as it leaves the application tool. Since charged molecules repel each other, they create a more evenly distributed disinfectant application, which is attracted to the applied surface, thereby creating 360-degrees of coverage. These charged particles create a web of disinfectant over the applied surfaces with a micron size between 40 to 110 microns. This service is particularly important because germs and bacteria hide in hard-to-reach areas, which are reached during an electrostatic disinfecting service.

Benefits of Electrostatic Disinfecting:

  • Covers 360-degrees of applied surfaces
  • Reduces the risk of cross contamination because of touch application processes
  • Allows for disinfectants to hold their cationic charge, which prevents dripping
  • Evenly distributed application allows for required disinfectant dwell times
  • Reaches hard-to-reach cleaning surfaces and spaces
  • Uses on average 65% less chemicals per square foot than standard cleaning (eco-friendly option)

Does it kill the virus immediately after its disbursed into the air?

It takes 30 seconds to neutralise the virus which is why fogging provides an efficient way of cleaning. Simply spraying would not produce droplets small enough to remain airborne for 30 seconds.

Is the chemical safe?

The sanitiser we use is EN14476-approved, is not known to cause damage to any materials we would expect to find in a working environment, and is considered food-safe. However, we do require the area to be empty of people as there is always a risk of allergic reactions. Our staff wear all recommended PPE [Personal Protection Equipment] and are trained in how to operate safely in all respects.

Does the site need to be empty?

The specific areas we are treating will need to be empty but people can return to the area 2 hours after treatment. Other areas of your premises can remain open & operational.

What PPE do your staff use?

Mask, fluid-resistant disposable suit, nitrile gloves, goggles.

As guidelines change, so do our procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.

How long do the results last?

The results are immediate once the chemical is dry (which only takes 2 hours) and the protection lasts for 30 days meaning that, for continuous peace of mind, a monthly service is sufficient.

Do I have to have it done again?

If you have a suspected or confirmed case between treatments, please feel free to contact us for an optional additional service to give additional peace-of-mind to staff & visitors.

How do we know it has worked?

You will have peace of mind that we have carried out the right procedures, using the right sanitiser.

Does someone need to meet the team on-site?

Ideally, we would rather have someone from your team on-site to open up (deactivate alarms etc). They can then return to lock up afterwards, or discuss alternative arrangements with the Decon Team. The treated areas will be safe for use within 2 hours of completion, so should cause minimal disruption.

Will the fogging process affect our smoke/fire alarms?

No. All smoke alarms will be covered before fogging commences. If you have any specialist equipment on-site, please feel free to discuss its complexities with us.

Will the fogging process affect any technology, like PCs, printers, etc…?

Each piece of equipment we use features a micron setting which controls the size of droplets it produces. We adjust that micron rate to suit the environment we are working in. When treating areas with PCs etc, we simply ensure that we use the smallest micron rate so that the mist is as dry as possible.

What happens with all the rubbish?

The waste produced during the decontamination is double-bagged and sealed in orange “Alternative Treatment” bags, then placed in an orange storage box, stored in a locked area. It is then collected within 72 hours by a registered waste carrier and handled as category B Infectious Waste.

Why should we choose Mrs. Buckét

The main reasons clients opt to work with us are that:

  • our teams are trained in specialist techniques and use of specialist equipment
  • we work in conjunction with external H&S advisors to ensure no-one is put at risk
  • we use specialist equipment & a 30-day chemical
  • the peace of mind they feel in working with an experienced, 15-year old company