Letting Some Steam Off

Can schools provide a cleaner, more healthful school environment by simply combining heat and water?

Yes. Educational facilities can be prime beneficiaries of steam technology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 164 million school days are lost annually because of illness; effective cleaning and disinfection in schools and universities could reduce that number.

No Chemicals

Steam vapor systems use only tap water with no chemicals added. Low-pressure steam vapor sanitizes and deodorizes. This process can then be used safely in many situations, but is especially suited for restrooms and food-service areas. These areas require maximum disinfection and sanitation, have many hard-to-reach areas, and may expose people to chemical disinfectants.

Heat often is the only ingredient used to sterilize surgical instruments, and water is the best solvent and rinse agent to remove soil and chemical residues. The combination of heat and water in a steam vapor system enables schools to avoid chemical-based cleaning regimens. Those chemicals can leave residues and result in biofilm development that can harbor additional bacterial growth on seemingly “clean” surfaces.

Biofilms are highly resistant to almost all germicides, including bleach, but hot steam vapor penetrates and removes them. Effective steam vapor cleaning also emulsifies grease and oil, and removes even embedded contaminants from surfaces.

Steam vapor systems use tap water (or filtered water in hard-water areas) that is heated inside the machine's boiler to form low-moisture steam vapor. As it is applied to the surface (with insulated tools to protect workers), the steam vapor reaches temperatures of between 215°F and 230°F.  The steam vapor penetrates into surface micro-pores, and reaches bacteria and mold that are not killed by surface-applied chemical disinfectants.

Safer for Custodial Workers

Steam vapor systems also can improve workers' health and safety, cleaning efficiency and a school's maintenance budget.

By eliminating chemical use, workers avoid exposure to compounds that may cause eye and skin irritation or chemical burns. Because a steam vapor system uses only tap water, it requires no material safety data sheets (MSDS).

When schools reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals and related occupational hazards, the cleaning staff gains time as well as safety. Less time is spent scrubbing, cleaning hard-to-reach areas or slipping on wet floors. Steam vapor systems also leave little water residue. Newer steam vapor systems disinfect in 7 seconds, instead of the typical 10-minute “wet” dwell time required for chemical disinfectants. Surfaces are clean, dry, odor-free, disinfected and available for use more quickly.

Operators must be trained properly to use the equipment efficiently and safely. The investment in training can translate into an efficient and simplified cleaning regimen, which can yield a cleaner and safer facility.