Industrial Floor Scrubber
An industrial floor scrubber is used to clean large floors in commercial buildings. These types of machines rely on specialized scrubbing pads and floor cleaning chemicals. If you own a commercial building and are considering buying industrial floor sweepers or scrubbers, you need to understand:
- What types of floor cleaning jobs they can handle
- The difference between an industrial-grade scrubber and a standard model
- OSHA safety standards you must follow
Industrial floor scrubber uses
There are many different jobs that an industrial floor scrubber or floor sweeper can handle. This equipment works well for the general cleaning of large floor spaces. The average industrial floor scrubber is going to be able to sweep 30,000 to 40,000 square feet in a single hour. As a means of comparison, standard models (using the process detailed in the next section) are often only capable of completing 3,200 to 13,000 square feet per hour.
In addition to sweeping, these machines can be used to scrub floors using a cleaning solution and scrubber brushes, and to strip existing wax from floors for a brand new wax application. Plus, industrial floor scrubbers can also be used to clean up potentially hazardous materials and waste.
Industrial scrubbers vs. standard scrubbers
When compared to standard scrubbers, which are typically powered by a plug-in cord, industrial models often feature battery-powered operation (two 215-amp batteries is common). This enables them to cover much larger spaces without having to worry about the necessity of a power outlet. These batteries typically provide 4 to 4 and a half hours of cleaning without a recharge.
In addition, they tend to be all-in-one units, housing a tank for water and cleaning solutions that can exceed 17 gallons, as well as a squeegee/drying component that recaptures the water used in the process. This is in contrast to a standard model, for which the floor will have be prepped in advance then dried either by hand or using another machine. Of course air drying is another option - one that takes hours and either requires additional safety measures or closing down that section of floor to avoid falls and other accidents.
Expect to pay $500 to $1,000 for standard models and $2,000 to $9,000 for industrial scrubbers, depending on the functionalities included. It's worth noting that a wide number of commercial models are available in the $4,000 to $5,000 range.
OSHA safety standards for industrial floor scrubbers
Since industrial floor scrubbers are considered "industrial equipment", you'll need to make sure that your employees follow OSHA safety standards when using them. Employees who operate these machines will need to wear noise-canceling headsets to protect their hearing, and safety glasses to pick up large pieces of debris, metal, or other sharp objects. Also, if you'll be using chemicals to strip, polish, or clean your floors, you must ensure your employees wear respiratory protection such as a mask, as well as eye protection and gloves.
You'll also need to exercise caution when storing your equipment and cleaning supplies in a storage area far away from food and water. This space should have its own ventilation system to prevent the buildup of toxic and potentially combustible fumes.
Questions for industrial floor scrubber dealers
If you are interested in buying an industrial floor sweeper, you'll want to ask prospective dealers specific questions about the purchase:
- What can the sweeper do? Is it just a sweeper, or can it also polish, strip, and scrub floors?
- How much does the unit cost? How can I save money on it? Can I rent it if I only need it for short periods of time? Are there refurbished units available?
- What OSHA regulations do I need to follow when operating this model?
- What chemicals and accessories do I need to operate this machine? Do they come with it, or must I purchase them separately?
- How fast is this model? How many square feet per hour can I clean using this machine?
Want more information on choosing a floor cleaning machine? Read our Floor Cleaning Machine Buyer's Guide.
Ready to Compare Floor Cleaning Machines Price Quotes?