AF cost reduction move includes changes in custodial standards

  • Published
  • By Kimberly L. Wright
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The Air Force is changing custodial standards nationwide to save money, resulting in an overall basewide reduction of services at Maxwell. Perhaps the most obvious change for the average person working at Maxwell is custodians will no longer be coming from cubicle to cubicle to collect trash.

The modified levels of services, which took effect Sunday, requires a centralized location for trash collection and removal, which will be determined by office or facility managers at the respective locations, said Jim Keever of the 42nd Operations Support Flight. Trash bag liner replacement will also be the responsibility of the office or facility.

The alteration of custodial services was mandated nationally by Gen. William M. Frasier III, the vice chief of staff. "We happen to be one of the last few bases to implement the changes," said Mr. Keever.

Custodial services are divided up into four levels, prestige, academic, basic and special services, with much of the base falling into the basic category. Under the basic level of services, floors will be swept and mopped and carpets vacuumed once a week, and trash will be collected from a centralized location once a week. Walk-off mats also will be cleaned once a week. Restrooms will be serviced every two days, which includes trash collection, restocking of supplies and general cleaning and disinfecting. Periodic maintenance protocols include once-a-month buffing of floors and carpet cleaning and floors stripped and maintained once a year.

The academic level of custodial service includes more frequent servicing to accommodate the level of facility use, with restrooms serviced once during every 24-hour period when the facility is operational. Floors will be swept and mopped and carpets will be vacuumed five times a week. Periodic maintenance protocols include floors buffed twice a month, carpet cleaned once a year and floors stripped and maintained twice a year.

Locations with an academic level of service include appropriate areas in all of the academic facilities, including the Air War College, the Air Command and Staff College, the Officer Training School, the Air University Library and the Judge Advocate General School.

The prestige level is designated for general officer and wing commander suites such as the 42nd Air Base Wing and Air University, the theatre, the library, the chapel, base operations, the community center and the visitor control center. Under this level of service, restrooms will be serviced once during every 24-hour period when the facility is operational. Floors will be swept and mopped and carpets will be vacuumed twice a week. Periodic maintenance protocols include floors buffed once a month, carpet cleaned and floors stripped and maintained once a year.

Mr. Keever said that although the level of services is decreasing for most locations, "they have picked up quite a bit" in fitness centers, child development centers and youth centers, designated as special services areas. "Custodians will assume many of the cleaning responsibilities previously performed by facility staff members," he added.

Custodians will monitor and empty trash receptacles in common use areas, and will be responsible for replacing the trash bag liners, he added. The custodial staff will also be responsible for daily sweeping, mopping and sanitizing of the special services areas, maintaining a level of sanitary vigilance appropriate to keep frequently used areas as clean as possible, including areas where children eat and play.

For questions about trash centralization procedures in your office, contact the appropriate office or facility manager for your location. For general questions on the new custodial standards, contact Mr. Keever at 953-5698.