Blame it on the job one does. Like, if I look at the badges of janitors at the airport washrooms or malls in any part of the world, it is because I am curious to know the companies deploying them. The restrooms get judged in minutes. A habit developed over the years being part of Clean India Journal and by reading and writing about washroom cleaning practices. At the end of it all, you look for faster cleaning and replenishment of hand hygiene products. We have in India today swanky airports, T3, T2, the Bangalore and Chennai international airports or malls spread across three to four million square feet with a number of washroom blocks on each floor. For a professional and scientific maintenance of washrooms with high public traffic, the facility management companies are leveraging sensor-based technology for accurate usage of data and demand for cleaning. The old way of keeping physical checklist almost is on the way out.
However, when we called up over a dozen of companies — both FM and end user — we found it appalling to note that only one responded. All the others neither use technology nor feel the need to bring in technology to the washroom doors. “Washroom is after all a washroom!” The figures show that globally IoT has helped save material cost and optimise manpower usage. Power consumption is controlled and user experience has increased. This issue’s focus story tells all the good sides of technology adoption for cleanroom maintenance by FM companies.
This story about PG Sudha, a lady forest officer from Ernakulam District who built 497 toilets in the tribal colonies of the Kuttampuzha forest is quite old yet still very inspiring. The determination the officer showed in reaching the unreachable tribal settlements was acknowledged by the Government. The area’s terrain means that the transportation of construction materials is very difficult if not nearly impossible. Because of this, everyone was reluctant to take up the job. “There were no proper roads to get to them and one had to walk for 15 to 20 kilometers,” Sudha had told a News Channel.
Mangala Chandran
editor@virtualinfo.in
