Element

Service Standards

General and circulation areas

-  All Zones and circulation areas (corridors, stairs, lifts etc) are free of dust, grit, dirt and litter, including but not limited to chewing gum, leaves, cobwebs, rubbish, graffiti, cigarette butts and bird excreta;

-  High level ledges and surfaces shall be cleaned appropriately, using the correct access equipment.  The process should render them free from ingrained dirt and dust, void of all stains and markings;

-  Handrails are clean and free of stains;

-  Floor space is clear, only occupied by furniture and fittings designed to sit on the floor;

-  Furniture is maintained in a fashion which allows for cleaning;

-  Fire access and exit doors are left clear and unhindered;

-  The area appears tidy and uncluttered;

-  Zones smell fresh and there are no unpleasant or distasteful odour; and

-  Room deodorisers are clean and functional.

Walls, skirtings, ceilings

-  Internal and external walls and ceilings are free of dust, grit, lint, soil, film, graffiti and cobwebs;

-  Walls and ceilings are free of marks caused by furniture, equipment or Residents;

-  Light switches are free of fingerprints, scuffs and any other marks;

-  Light fittings are free of dust, grit, lint and cobwebs;

-  Polished surfaces are of a uniform lustre.

Windows

-  External and internal surfaces of glass are clear of all streaks, chewing gum, spots and marks, including fingerprints and smudges;

-  Window frames, tracks and ledges are clear and free of dust, grit, marks and spots;

-  All windows are locked after cleaning and safety latches are in place.

Doors

-  Internal and external doors and doorframes are free of dust, grit, lint, chewing gum, soil, film, fingerprints and cobwebs;

-  Doors and doorframes are free of marks caused by furniture, equipment or Residents;

-  Door tracks and door jambs are free of grit and other debris.

-  Polished surfaces are of a uniform lustre

-  Doors shall be secured as required following cleaning of Zone/Room.

Floors

-  All floors shall be cleaned in such a way to preserve the floor coverings. Floors should be reasonably clear from removable stains, marks and adhesions;

-  No fresh stains shall be evident;

-  All floors are free of dust, grit, litter, chewing gum, marks and spots, urine, faeces, vomit, water or other liquids;

-  All floors are free of polish or other build-up at the edges and corners or in traffic lanes;

-  All floors are free of spots, scuffs or scratches on traffic lanes, around furniture and at pivot points;

-  Inaccessible areas (edges, corners and around furniture) are free of dust, grit, lint and spots;

-  Polished or buffed floors are of a uniform lustre;

-  Carpets are of an even appearance without flattened pile.  After cleaning, there is no shrinkage, colour loss or embrittlement of fibres.

-  Appropriate signage and precautions are taken regarding pedestrian safety on newly cleaned or wet floors;

-  Dust control mats are free from ingrained dust, dirt and stains, and the edges and reverse side are free from dust and dirt.

Ducts, grills and vents

-  Air vents, grilles and other ventilation outlets are kept unblocked and free of dust, grit, soil, film, cobwebs, scuffs and any other marks;

-  All ventilation outlets are kept clear and uncluttered following cleaning.

Electrical fixtures and appliances

-  Electrical fixtures and appliances are free of grease, dirt, dust, deposits, marks, stains and cobwebs;

-  Electrical fixtures and appliances are kept free from signs of use or non-use;

-  Hygiene Standards are satisfied where the fixture or appliance is used in food preparation;

-  Motor vents, etc., are clean and free of dust and lint;

-  Drinking fountains are clean and free of stains, mineral build-up and litter;

-  Insect-killing devices are free of dead insects, and are clean and functional

Furniture and fixtures

-  Hard surface furniture is free of spots, soil, film, dust, fingerprints and spillage;

-  Soft furnishings are free from stains, soil, film and dust;

-  All mirrors and glass partitions including surrounds, ledges, paintwork and fittings shall be free of dirt, dust, void of fingerprinting, stains, markings and verdigris, with a dry streak/smear free finish;

-  Furniture legs, wheels and castors are free from mop strings, soil, film, dust and cobwebs;

-  Inaccessible areas (edges, corners, folds and crevices) are free of dust, grit, lint and spots;

-  Curtains, blinds and drapes are free from stains, dust, cobwebs, lint and signs of use or non-use. Cords shall be clean and knot free;

-  Equipment is free of tapes/plastic, etc., which may compromise cleaning;

-  Shelves, bench tops, cupboards and wardrobes/lockers are clean inside and out and free of dust, litter or stains;

-  Waste/rubbish bins or containers are clean inside and out, free of stains and mechanically intact;

-  All decorative plants are free of dust and debris.

Toilets and bathrooms

-  Provision should be made to ensure that toilet facilities will be free of any permanent odours.  All sinks, baths, w.c.'s, urinals, troughs, cisterns, drinking fountains, shower heads, splash backs, pipework, chains and plugs should be free of all soiling, stains, ingrained dirt, build up of lime scale and dry germ, streak/smear free finish achieved;

-  Porcelain, cubicle rails and plastic surfaces are free from smudges, smears, body fluids, soap build-up and mineral deposits;

-  Metal surfaces, shower screens and mirrors are free from streaks, soil, smudges, soap build-up and oxide deposits;

-  Wall tiles and wall fixtures (including soap dispensers and towel holders) are free of dust, grit, smudges/streaks, mould, soap build-up and mineral deposits;

-  Showers, shower curtains and bath mats are free from stains, smudges, smears, odours, mould and body fluids.

-  Plumbing fixtures are free of smudges, dust, soap build-up and mineral deposits;

-  Bathroom fixtures are free from unpleasant or distasteful odours;

-  Polished surfaces are of a uniform lustre;

-  Appropriate signage and precautions are taken regarding pedestrian safety on newly cleaned or wet floors;

-  Sanitary disposal units are clean and functional;

-  Consumable items are in sufficient supply.

Kitchen fixtures and appliances

-  Fixtures, surfaces and appliances are free of grease, dirt, dust, deposits, marks, stains and cobwebs;

-  Electrical and cooking fixtures and appliances are kept free from signs of use or non-use;

-  Cooker hoods (interior and exterior) and filters are free of grease and dirt on inner and outer surfaces;

-  When cleaning food preparation areas, fixtures or appliances, the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health or the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, as appropriate, must be satisfied;

-  Motor vents, etc., are clean and free of dust and lint;

-  Refrigerators/freezers are clean and free of ice build-up.

Cleaning equipment and materials

-  Equipment and cleaning materials shall be safely stored;

-  Equipment and cleaning materials shall be designated for use in specific Zones of the Facilities and be noise limited as appropriate to the location;

-  Equipment shall be compliant with all applicable legislation, shall be individually marked and shall not be used beyond the portable appliance testing date;

-  Equipment shall be serviceable to minimise environmental nuisance;

-  Equipment and cleaning materials shall comply with the Contracting Authority's Control of Infection policies.