Where are your priorities? - Practical Facilities Management

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Total smoking ban is not a
workable option, says ACMA
The Air Cleaner Manufacturers Association
(ACMA) has stated its support for government’s
efforts to reduce smoking but does not believe a
total smoking ban is workable. In its dossier submitted
to the DoH (Department of Health)
Smokefree Legislation Team, ACMA points out
that air cleaning provides a “middle way” that
affords comfort and clean air provision for both
smokers and non-smokers alike.
“The industry recognises that a total ban on
smoking is unlikely, as is the status quo, so regulation
is likely, commented Honeywell, the
leading air cleaner manufacturer and an ACMA
member. “Air cleaners can minimise the practical
difficulties and allow smokers and non-smokers
alike the opportunity to enjoy clean air. As
we state in the ACMA dossier, an air cleaner
costs only about £1 per day to run.”
ACMA proposes that premises be exempted from
Olympic Challenge
Staging the Olympics will be a challenge to all
those involved. The behind the scenes logistics
necessary to deliver a successful Games
between now and the opening ceremony on
27th July 2012 will have challenged an army
of thousands of suppliers from a diverse range
of background like no other project has
before.
Hoping to be part of this elite band is Grundfos
Pumps. With an impressive national and international
track record for delivering a wide
range of pump solutions to sporting venues and
large commercial projects over many years both
in the UK and worldwide - this is one challenge
they are really looking forward to being
involved in.
With an unbeatable portfolio of pump products
covering the broadest range of applications
including HVAC requirements, water supply,
wastewater and packaged sets for pressurisation
and fire fighting - Grundfos have the correct
pump solutions to deliver water - where it’s
needed, when it’s needed. Reply No.: 84116
any ban on smoking in enclosed public places
and workplaces if either the whole room is
treated by air cleaners or self-contained smoking
booths are provided.
ACMA stresses that air cleaners remove pollutants,
unlike ventilation which merely displaces
them elsewhere. It points out that a correctly
maintained and operated air cleaner, used alone
or with ventilation, will reduce particulate pollution
from tobacco smoke in all kinds of indoor
environments such as bars, clubs, restaurants
and casinos. Cleaners fitted with additional filters
can also reduce gaseous and odour pollution.
“It is very well proven technology,” stressed
Honeywell. “Millions of Honeywell air cleaners
alone are already in daily use worldwide, in
cafés, bars, restaurants, offices, hotels, leisure
centres and other venues. They allow smokers
and non-smokers to socialise without discomfort
or embarrassment. Staffs are happier and less
prone to illness and hay fever, and enjoy a
smoke-free workplace. Customers are more
comfortable, so stay longer and spend more.”
The effectiveness of air cleaners for smoke
removal has been proven in independent tests
conducted by BSRIA (Building Services Research
and Information Association) and quoted in the
ACMA dossier. In addition to smoke removal,
the tests proved the ability of the air cleaner to
reduce general particulate pollution.
While air cleaners actively remove pollutants
and supply the clean air over a large area, ventilators
simply move air but do not clean it,
while air conditioners cool air and adjust humidity
without cleaning.
ACMA’s dossier explains that if normal air conditioning
filters are fitted, they do not remove the
very small particles found in smoke, and recycled
air from an air conditioning system can
spread smoke and odour throughout the building.
Reader Reply No.: 84093
Nilfisk-Advance cleans up
supermarket sweep
Nilfisk-Advance has seen off stiff competition
in the tender to provide an all-inclusive floor
cleaning package for the Somerfield supermarket
chain, which also includes Kwik Save
stores. Nilfisk-Advance has been awarded a
four-year supply and service contract on a
sole supplier basis valued in excess of £4 million.
Each store in the Somerfield group has been
equipped with one pedestrian scrubber/dryer,
rotary machine and tub vacuum from Nilfisk’s
commercial range. The machines are wholly
owned by Somerfield and operated by the chosen
cleaning contractor in the region or the inhouse
cleaning team. Somerfield is the first
major retail player to remove equipment supply
from contractors on such a wide scale.
The prestigious floor cleaning contract covers a
Junior Cricket
supported by OCS
OCS, the largest privately owned property
support services company, has once again
sponsored the Surrey round of the BBC Sport
Kwik Cricket Competition.
Over 300 schools and 300 children entered into
the competition, which was held at the redeveloped
Brit Oval cricket ground in Kennington.
Chris Cracknell, chief executive of OCS said:
“Through the Kwik Cricket tournament we are
able to support children at grass root level; I see
this as an important part of our corporate social
responsibility programme, as a company we are
keen to encourage participation in sporting
activities by children of all ages which is also
one of the reasons behind our annual OCS Young
Sportsperson of the Year Awards.
“Kwik Cricket, now in its eleventh year, has
become more and more popular amongst
schools. We are pleased to be able to encourage
the involvement of children who may not
normally take part in the sport.”
Reader Reply No.: 84140
total of 1337 Somerfield and Kwik Save sites,
including 112 ‘self clean’ former Safeway supermarkets
recently acquired by Somerfield. The
selection process included an online reverse
electronic tender auction managed by Nisa
Today’s - a co-operative for independent retailers
which provides its members with collective
buying power when negotiating with suppliers.
“The initial 10 bidders were quickly reduced to
two or three serious players,” comments Karen
James, Sales and Marketing Director of Nilfisk-
Advance. “And as all bidders were anonymous
we could only guess who we were up against.”
In a series of post auction negotiations the
remaining potential suppliers had to demonstrate
they could cope with ongoing support at
each site, and also the roll out of new equipment
with all the necessary training and installation
services.
Marisa Taylor, Central Procurement, Somerfield
Stores Ltd comments: “NilfiskAdvance was
selected after a comprehensive tender process,
which was based on a number of factors including
the all-inclusive price, quality of equipment,
service delivery, training and reporting. We are
confident that the new cleaning equipment will
help to enable our store staff and cleaning contractors
to deliver even higher standards of
cleaning and improve the customer experience
accordingly.” Reader Reply No.: 84118
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