4/25/2008_rev_12/27/09

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Seal of Approval Testing Program CEU course provided by the Carpet and Rug Institute. I m from and I m pleased to be able to provide this information to your group today. This presentation is just one of many CEU courses developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, the national trade association for the carpet industry. Demonstration Materials Any printed list from carpet-rug.org of approved equipment, vacuums or cleaning solutions AATCC Gray Scale Pieces of soiled and cleaned carpet Any slides from 301 Commercial Carpet Maintenance which address rapid soiling and cleaning issues. Note: Could be joined with 301 as a 2-hr. presentation. 1

2 This course has been approved by the American Institute of Architects and by the Interior Design Education Council in order to provide Learning Units and Continuing Education Units to practicing architects and designers. 2

3 These are our learning objectives for today s course. Paraphrase list from slide. 3

4 The Carpet and Rug Institute s Seal of Approval program addresses the issue of carpet cleaning effectiveness by certifying only those products and services that meet high performance standards. This helps both commercial and residential customers recognize the best methods for preserving the life and appearance of their carpet. In addition, Seal of Approval acts as an incentive for manufacturers to improve both their products and services ensuring that they pass benchmark standards developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute. The Seal of Approval is a designation awarded to the best products and services for the cleaning and maintenance of carpet. When your customer sees this logo on cleaning products or on a service provider s marketing materials, they can rest assured that they have selected an effective product or service. 4

5 CRI certified cleaning products and services are designed to be used in all settings: Residential (Homes, apartments, condos) Commercial (Education, Healthcare, Corporate, Retail, Hospitalty, etc.) Institutional (Governmental agencies, city, state and federal buildings, prisons, public spaces, airports, etc. Carpet is found in most homes, workplaces, hotels, schools and other public facilities across America. People prefer carpet for its unlimited design possibilities, safety and comfort, insulation and noise absorption. Today s carpets are more stain resistant and durable than ever, making them relatively easy to clean and maintain. 5

6 Carpet is actually fabric for the floor. Cleaning and maintenance extends the life of the carpet, and keeps it looking attractive and new. The higher the traffic on the carpet, the more cleaning and maintenance it will require. You may rarely need to clean carpet in low traffic areas, but in entryways and corridors where there is directional traffic, carpet will need daily attention. Carpets are easy to clean and maintain. The appearance of carpet depends on several factors; the quality of products and equipment used to clean, the frequency of how often they are cleaned, and the skill and knowledge of people doing the cleaning. 6

7 Effective cleaning has health-related benefits. Carpet serves as a trap for allergens and other particles that fall to the floor. Removing them with vacuums that keep dirt and dust within the canister helps improve air quality. Using extractors that effectively recover water and cleaning detergents from the carpet, minimizes the possibility of mold that can occur when dirt and moisture remain in the carpet. 7

8 Proper carpet maintenance includes bi-weekly vacuuming. Deep cleaning with extraction equipment should be done every 12 to 16 months to remove built up residues and trapped soils.the extraction equipment must be efficient at both removing soil and recovering chemicals or water used for cleaning. Even with interim cleaning, soil can build up over time. Vacuum cleaners are effective at removing dry dust and soil, but they do not remove soil at the levels of deep cleaning, nor are they designed to remove the sticky and oily type substances that get tracked onto floors..underscoring the value that carpet manufacturers place on the role of quality cleaning products, some of the largest manufacturers have announced they will require the use of CRI Seal of Approval products as part of their carpet warranties. 8

9 Not all carpet cleaning products on the market are effective. Independent testing has shown that some cleaning detergents and spot removers clean no better than water. They leave a sticky residue that attracts soil at a fast rate. This leads to customer dissatisfaction and the belief that carpet won t stay clean. Independent testing has shown vast differences in the soil removal capability of carpet cleaning equipment, especially extractors. Extractors, which use water and/or cleaning agents, are used for interim (or light) cleaning. Interim cleaning equipment is designed to remove surface soil, spots and spills, helping to improve the overall appearance of the carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute website lists all the products that have passed the independent laboratory tests.. 9

10 A common misconception of some consumers, specifiers and end users is that carpet is difficult to maintain in residential and commercial settings. This perception is due to misinformation and a lack of consistent industry standards. When consumers purchased carpet cleaning products, such as spot cleaners, they were faced with an array of unrated choices. Imagine a shelf full of products, with no proof which products are efficient and effective! That is where CRI stepped in to create the Seal of Approval Program. This program makes product selection easier. And when it is easier to select the appropriate cleaning products and services, cleaning and maintenance of carpet will no longer be perceived as difficult. CRI is providing critical information to facility managers, end users and consumers by identifying effective cleaning products and services and establishing meaningful standards. 10

11 Before we go any further, let s define some terms. First, test methods are the consistent standards set for the independent lab technicians who will administer the tests. These methods ensure that each test is being done in the same way, so that the results can be compared on equal ground. Performance criteria are set so that we know what to expect from the product being tested. The performance criteria for a car would include that it runs, that it can move from point A to B, that it doesn t make loud clanking noises, etc. Similarly, the performance criteria for a cleaning product means that it is effective, that it does not stain or leave a residue. The reason CRI created a Seal of Approval is to help standardize the test methods and performance criteria, to help end users and consumers understand the choices with which they are faced. 11

12 For all cleaning solutions, the Seal of Approval program tests for: Efficacy the ability to remove stains Resoiling whether the product attracts soil at an accelerated rate ph excessively acid or alkaline products can affect dyes and fibers Optical Brighteners can adversely affect color, appearance and performance Colorfastness to light residues on pile yarn can accelerate color change The Seal of Approval program uses water as its control standard. This means that for all of the criteria on this slide, the performance of a product is measured against the performance of water, the rationale is that all products should clean better than water. 12

13 Spot remover is for removing spots on carpet. There are two types of solutions pre-spray and in-tank. Both are evaluated by AATCC Gray Scale. Pre-spray is a type of cleaning solution that is sprayed on the carpet before extraction. Then the carpet is pre-sprayed before the wet extraction process begins. Cleaning efficacy is based on a product s ability to remove soil and thereby improve the appearance of the carpet. In-tank products are already in the tank of the extractor. Rather than pre-spraying with a different machine, the cleaning solution is in the tank when the extraction process begins. 13

14 The spot remover is applied and the spot cleaned in accordance with product manufacturer s instructions. Staining agents include: mustard, catsup, black coffee, grape juice, permanent marker, chocolate syrup, dirty motor oil and synthetic soil. The spots used in the testing protocol are the most difficult to remove from carpet. Note: Refer participants to carpet-rug.org rug for detailed information for cleaning spots and stains. 14

15 Evaluation of cleaning efficacy is performed using American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Gray Scale for staining and is rated by a panel of independent technicians. Technicians also test for resoiling by applying the test product to a standard carpet sample, then applying soil according to ASTM standards. The differential soil level is then assessed. Water is again used as the benchmark in this test since water leaves no soil-attracting residues. The soil level of a cleaned sample is measured and compared to that of a control sample. It is then rated by instruments and by a panel of independent technicians using the AATCC Gray Scale for color change. Resoiling is then tested by applying synthetic soil to the cleaned sample. The differential soil level between the cleaned sample and the control is again rated by instruments and by the technical panel. 15

16 Pre-spray and in-tank products pass multiple spectrophotometer readings. Cleaning efficacy for pre-spray and in-tank products is based on the ability to remove soil and thereby improve the appearance of the carpet. As with spot removing products, pre-spray and in-tank products are applied to carpet according to manufacturer's instructions. Cleaning efficacy is based on a product's ability to remove soil and thereby improve the appearance of the carpet. The differential soil level between the cleaned sample and control is rated instrumentally by a panel of independent technicians using the AATCC Gray Scale for color change. Rate of resoiling is evaluated by applying the test product to a standard carpet sample. Then, by applying synthetic soil in accordance with ASTM D The differential soil level between the cleaned sample and control is rated instrumentally and by trained technicians. 16

17 In 2005, under CRI s Seal of Approval program, the testing laboratory began measuring the amount of soil removed from carpet utilizing XRF technology. Scientists worked to design a quantifiable soil mixture that mimics actual soil found in carpet. The designer soil contains an exact amount of each of multiple elements chosen for particle size and physical characteristics naturally occurring in soils such as clay-like zinc oxide and sand-like yttrium oxide. The variety of compounds found in the test soil recognizes the fact that soil composition differs in various parts of the country. Using the XRF analyzer, laboratory tests under controlled conditions measure the amount of soil applied to a carpet sample and, following cleaning with a vacuum or extractor, quantify the precise amount of soil removed down to four decimal points. EXTRA INFORMATION: In the analysis of metals, sophisticated alloys, and lighter elements such as magnesium and silicon, the XRF analyzer applies an innovative process of tagging and detecting unique elemental codes for material analysis and identification. It has software that allows people to mix chemical elements with products to create tag identifiers, which the instrument can then read and convert to bar code language for product identification. Note: If participants are interested in this subject, you may tell them that more information on XRF technology is available on the CRI website. 17

18 Spot removers, pre-spray and in-tank products are tested for ph levels, optical brightness and colorfastness to light. Some cleaning products which are extremely acidic or alkaline can adversely affect dyes and certain carpet fibers. Seal of Approval certified products have more neutral ph levels. They have no amount of optical brighteners because such additives are known to affect fiber color, appearance and long-term performance. Finally, Seal of Approval carpet cleaning products must show that they do not contribute to residue on pile yarn that can accelerate color change. 18

19 The first phase of the Seal of Approval program for cleaning equipment focuses on the testing of restorative extractors designed for deep cleaning, removing as much of the soil from the carpet as possible. Other equipment designed for interim or maintenance cleaning, will be added to the testing program at a later date. To qualify for the Seal of Approval, the extractors must undergo a stringent testing process at an independent contract testing laboratory that measures three key performance criteria: (1.) the amount of soil removed from a carpet sample, (2.) the amount of residual water left in the carpet and (3.) the impact of the machine on carpet fibers and appearance. 19

20 To test for soil removal performance, the testing laboratory uses a designer soil made up of compounds that are similar to, or commonly o found in carpet. The compounds are individually applied to nylon pellets, which are then used to transfer the compounds to a specified area of sample carpet following ASTM protocols. A portable XRF analyzer is used to verify the starting concentration of each compound. The soiled carpet samples are then subjected to a standard cleaning process followed by XRF scans to determine the amount of compounds remaining in the carpet. Extractors that do not sufficiently remove water and soil from the carpet create the potential for growth of mold spores and for harm to the carpet fibers. To measure how well an extractor recovers water, the test carpet sample is weighed before and after the standardized cleaning process to determine how much water remains. Finally, surface appearance change in the carpet pile, as result of extraction cleaning, is measured using CRI s five-point Appearance Retention Reference Scales, which provide a visual aid in assessing appearance change in carpets. 20

21 In order to qualify for the Seal of Approval, an extractor should not affect the appearance of the carpet pile surface more than a one-step change, based on one year of normal extractor use. This test criterion is included because experience has shown that some machines can cause excessive wear on the carpet. There are three standards for extractors; bronze, silver and gold. Those that exceed average soil removal receive a bronze rating, those achieving higher soil removal receive a silver rating,and those with the highest level of measurable soil removal are awarded a gold level Seal of Approval. 21

22 In 2006, CRI announced the addition of deep cleaning systems to its Seal of Approval testing and certification program. Companies that offer complete carpet deep cleaning systems including cleaning techniques, equipment and cleaning solutions that carry the Seal of Approval assure customers that their technique and products are effective. CRI evaluates the effectiveness of the overall cleaning process and tests equipment and cleaning solutions used in combination. This program certifies cleaning procedures that incorporate a specific machine be used with a specific cleaning agent following the manufacturer s recommended procedure. The Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Systems tests for eight performance criteria: soil removal, re-soiling, appearance retention, amount of moisture left in the carpet, surface appearance change, colorfastness, ph level, and optical brighteners. 22

23 The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends the use of Seal of Approval certified products and is proud to recognize those Service Providers who utilize these products to benefit their customers. Independent testing has shown that not all carpet cleaning products clean equally well and that some even harm carpet fibers or result in faster resoiling of cleaned areas. That is why it s so important for everyone to know about the Seal of Approval program. The Seal of Approval Service Provider status is a signal to customers that these companies use only the best cleaning products. Matching the right cleaning method with the right product helps retain the life and beauty of a carpet.cri recommends that consumers have their carpets professionally deep cleaned every one to two years, depending on foot traffic. Additionally, some major carpet manufacturers have specified use of Seal of Approval cleaning products in their warranties. Seal of Approval Service Providers are those service providers that use the Carpet and Rug Institute s Seal of Approval certified equipment and cleaning chemicals as part of their routine cleaning procedures. SOA Service Providers are required to sign a participation agreement with the Carpet and Rug Institute outlining these guidelines. In addition it is suggested they be an IICRC certified firm/technician. Service Provider Statistics as of April 30, Visit the websites noted below for updated lists. Green Label Vacuum Cleaners Seal of Approval Products: Solutions 102, Extractors - 77, Systems - 42, Vacuum Cleaners

24 High performance vacuum cleaners have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality. Vacuums that effectively remove and contain soil while keeping the carpet looking good will help carpets last longer. The ability to improve IAQ is what earned their inclusion in the Seal of Approval program. CRI has been working with a professional testing laboratory since 2000 to evaluate how well vacuums remove soil from a carpet. The protocol is to uniformly soil standard cut- and loop-pile test carpet, clean it with different methods, then evaluate the results using a device that measures lights value reflected from carpet pile as an indicator of cleanliness. This method, however, does not quantify the amount of soil removed in the way that XRF technology does. 24

25 To qualify for the Seal, these vacuums must go through a stringent testing process that measures three key performance factors: Soil Removal The vacuum must remove a set quantity of soil from carpet in four passes. Dust Containment The vacuum must not release more than a specified amount of micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air. This protocol evaluates the total amount of dust particles released by the brush rolls, through the filtration bag and via any air leaks from the system. This standard is more stringent than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Carpet Appearance Retention The vacuum should not affect the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based on one year of normal vacuum use. 25

26 Seal of Approval tests two categories of vacuums; those certified for household use and those certified for commercial use. For both household and commercial vacuums, the soil removal and dust containment levels must fall into the following ranges: Bronze 40-49% of soil removed 100 µg/m³ of dust particles (micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air) Silver 50-54% 54% of soil removed 100 µg/m³ of dust particles Gold 55% of soil removed 35 µg/m³ of dust particles The Texture Protection Standard requires that household and commercial vacuums should not affect the texture appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based on one year of normal vacuum use. XRF Carpet Test Samples for the household vacuum are 30 oz/sy on residential loop pile carpet and 25 oz/sy on residential cut pile carpet. The XRF Carpet Test Samples for commercial vacuums require that they be 30 oz/sy on both commercial loop pile carpet and commercial cut pile carpet. Vacuum cleaners must comply with the corresponding Soil Removal Standard, Dust Containment Standard and Texture Protection Standard before being considered for a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Seal of Approval Certification. 26

27 This is a picture of the CRI webpage. If you go to the home page at carpet-rug.org and click on the Seal of Approval link in the right-hand column, it will take you to the Seal of Approval page. Another way to get to the Seal of Approval page is at the top there is a list of menu options that includes the Seal of Approval. Note: At the conclusion of your CEU presentation, you could link onto CRI s website and show the wide variety of products that have been approved; however, they will be identified by brand names, so this could not be shown during the main part of your presentation. 27

28 The bottom line is this: Seal of Approval cleaning products and services effectively remove stains and soil without adversely affecting the appearance or the performance of the carpet which is a wise investment for consumers and commercial and institutional purchasers. Operating this program through independent testing is a great services to all consumers and commercial customers who are concerned about purchasing and using the most effective spot removers, solutions, extraction equipment and vacuum cleaners. 28

29 Rephrase points on slide. What questions do you have? If you have any further questions, CRI s Seal of Approval Coordinator is happy to help. 29