The global coronavirus pandemic has turned our lives upside down since the last year. However, with the relaxation in lock-downs and a return to work back on the table, companies should invest in facility upgrades and extended cleaning protocols to take hygiene consideration up a notch and prevent the spread of the disease in workplaces. With workplaces reopening, businesses have a herculean task of implementing strategies that ensure employees’ health and safety in a post-pandemic world. Hiring a reliable and professional facility management company can help you prepare your workplaces for employees and prevent the spread of the disease. Here’s how outsourcing your facility management to an expert can help you:

HVAC Updates

In the light of recent research conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Air-handling and HVAC systems need to be updated to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces. With a return-to-work back on the table, workplaces need to partner with a reputable facility management company in Saudi Arabia to upgrade these systems to maximize the amount of outside air coming into the building as well as ensure the highest standard of air filtration. This outside air dilutes or removes contaminants in the space faster.  Even though the upgrade will cost office buildings, the move is necessary to increase the flow of outside fresh air in spaces. Not to mention, a facility management company can make sure all filters are frequently replaced. Since people are generally apprehensive about touching these filters, professional HVAC technicians are equipped with the right PPE to help them dispose of used filters. These measures are necessary to combat the spread of the virus in enclosed spaces. Because of the amount of time people spend at work, the quality of indoor air needs to be maintained to ensure employee well-being.

Facility Humidification

According to research, moisture in the air makes viruses, including Covid-19, less infectious, while dry air makes the virus thrive. Not to mention, humid air helps the mucus in airway space stay hydrated. This helps tiny hairs called cilia wash away particles from the lungs. This way, the cellular lining in the respiratory tract remains activated to create an immune response. One of the best ways to combat the spread of COVID-10 in enclosed spaces is to humidify the indoor environment. A facility management company in Saudi Arabia can help you ensure proper indoor air hydration, which is between 40-60%, and promote employee wellness.

Disinfecting Buildings

Cleaning protocols in businesses have become rigorous in the wake of the pandemic. There is a need to disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as elevator buttons, faucets, coffee machines, door handles, and areas in restrooms frequently and thoroughly to contain the spread of the virus, and to reassure people and make them feel more safe. The cleaning professionals hired by facility management companies are equipped with electrostatic sprayers and foggers and EPA-approved chemicals, which are far more effective in killing germs than hand-held sprays.  Antimicrobial surface protectants are also used to kill viruses on surface. Before you begin calling employees back to work, it is prudent to partner with a facility management company in Saudi Arabia to disinfect and deep-clean every nook and cranny with cutting-edge chemicals and new dispersers.

There is constant innovation in the cleaning industry with an incessant stream of new chemicals, products and technologies which your office janitorial staff must be oblivious to. For services which go above and beyond the typical range of cleaning tasks, it is more prudent to hire experts who are well-versed in deep cleaning protocols and stay up to date with the latest technologies and methods.

Installing Germicidal Lighting

According to research, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology is effective at deactivating bacteria, spores, and microbes. However, the only issue is that UV-C is not safe for human exposure and can cause damage to the skin and eyes, as well as harm the building itself. Instead of embarking on the project yourself, hire a facility management company to select and apply the right UVGI technology to achieve maximum efficacy while reducing harm to your employees and facility.

Restroom Upgrades

If you are partnering with a facility management company to make your workplace safer for employees, restrooms are a great place to start. Touchless, sensor-operated faucets are not only used for preventing the wastage of water, they are also great at slowing down the spread of virus among users who touch a handle. In addition, Single-use paper towels in sensor-operated dispensers also prevent cross-contamination. Furthermore, burgeoning technology alleviates employees from having to touch restroom stall doors. Foot-operators sense your presence and open the door automatically. Sensor-operated self-flushing toilets also ensure a touch-free experience. These measures would definitely minimize the spread of disease by reducing touchpoints in restrooms.