Attachment J-1 Revised SOW_Janitorial_CKB SSC_CKB ATCT_MGW ATCT_20231005.pdf

10/5/2023

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

Janitorial Service Contract

1. SCOPE: This document outlines the requirements for janitorial service, including the supply of trash dumpsters and trash removal services, at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) buildings and offices in three locations.

a. Clarksburg Air Traffic Control Tower (CKB ATCT) - The contractor must perform daily services 7 days a week including Federal holidays.

b. Clarksburg System Support Center (CKB SSC) - The contractor must perform daily services 5 days a week Monday through Friday not including Federal holidays.

c. Morgantown Air Traffic Control Tower (MGW ATCT) - The contractor must perform daily services 7 days a week including Federal holidays.

2. CLEANING SERVICES: Performance requirements for cleaning consist of the following each time an area is serviced.

a. Furniture or other equipment (including waste bins) moved while performing cleaning services must be returned to their original position.

b. Sweeping/Dust Mopping. Concrete/quarry tile, terrazzo, wood, and resilient flooring must be swept or dust mopped to remove all loose dirt, dust, and debris.

c. Vacuuming Carpets and Rugs. Carpeted areas and rugs must be vacuumed free of all loose soil and debris.

d. Emptying Waste Bins. All waste bins must be emptied and plastic liners replaced. Any plastic liner with food wastes or that is soiled or leaking must be replaced with a new plastic liner. Waste bins must be washed inside and outside utilizing a disinfectant as needed to remain free of odors. After washing, bins must be wiped dry and new plastic liners installed. All ash trays and ash receptacles must be emptied and cleaned free of tobacco residue. Boxes, cans, bottles, and other items placed adjacent to waste bins and marked "TRASH" must also be removed and disposed of. All waste collected must be disposed of in the nearest outside trash collection point. Waste that falls on the floor and outside grounds during the waste removal must be picked up and disposed of by the Contractor.

e. Dusting/Cleaning. All furniture, partitions, radiators, equipment, hand railings in stairways, grills, horizontal ledges, and sills must be dusted. Walls, doors, and partitions must be wiped clean (including glass in partitions and doors) to a height of 7’0" above the floor level. If present, chalk boards, chalk and marker trays, and erasers must be cleaned. All dry erase boards must be cleaned with a cleaning solution designed for dry erase boards. Corridor, lobby, and entrance walls and doors must be cleaned on both sides. Miscellaneous hardware and bright metal work must be wiped clean. Drinking fountains must be cleaned and disinfected. All surfaces of drinking fountains must be free of stains, smudges, and scale.

f. Cleaning Walk-off Mats. Each time floors are swept/dust mopped or vacuumed, walk-off mats in that area must be cleaned. Soil and moisture underneath mats must be removed and the floor must be cleaned as appropriate along with the rest of the floor.

The mats must be returned to their original locations afterwards. The Contractor must report, in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO), all walk-off mats that are worn out to the point of being ineffective.

g. Damp Mopping. Prior to damp mopping, floors must be swept/dust mopped. Floors must be damp mopped with an industry standards cleaning solution to remove dirt, streaks, smears, and stains.

h. Spray Cleaning and Buffing. Prior to spray cleaning and buffing, floors must be damp mopped as specified above. Floors must be spray cleaned and buffed to remove traffic marks, heavy soil, etc. The material used for spray cleaning and buffing must contain a blend of detergents and polymers to emulsify surface soil and repair traffic areas. If loose residue is produced by buffing, it must be removed in a manner that must leave the floor clean without destroying the high gloss produced by buffing. When completed, a spray cleaned and buffed floor must have a uniform, high-gloss finish, free of scuff and heel marks. The floor finish must be uniform from wall to wall, including corners.

i. Waxing and Buffing. In the event that spray cleaning and buffing is not sufficient to maintain a uniform high-gloss finish, floors must be completely waxed and buffed. The Contractor must use a liquid wax system containing not less than 18% solids. The floors must be damp mopped as specified above immediately prior to application of wax.

Floors must be buffed, if required, to a uniform gloss finish free from dirt, traffic marks, and stains.

j. Restrooms. Restroom fixtures, including water closets, urinals, lavatories, and sinks must be washed inside and outside utilizing a disinfectant, and must be free of stains and odors. Pumice sticks and toilet bowl cleaner must be used to remove stains from urinals and water closets. Brushes, sponges, and cloths that have been used to clean any other part of the restroom (including water closets, urinals, walls, floors, and partitions) must not be used to clean lavatories or sinks. Floors must be swept/dust mopped free of dirt and mopped with a disinfectant. Wainscoting, partitions, walls, and doors must be cleaned free of dirt, stains, and graffiti. Mirrors must be cleaned and polished. All metal fixtures and hardware must be cleaned. Waste bins must be emptied, disinfected, and plastic liners replaced. If present, shower stall rooms and locker/dressing rooms must be considered part of the restrooms, and cleaned accordingly. Restroom supply dispensers (paper towels, toilet tissue, and soap) and hand sanitizer dispensers must be replenished.

The Contractor must stock restrooms with sufficient supplies to ensure that the supplies must last until the next scheduled service. If dispensers become empty before the next scheduled servicing, the Contractor must replenish them at no additional cost to the Government.

k. Stripping and Waxing Floors. Resilient flooring must be swept/dust mopped and stripped to remove all built-up wax and imbedded dirt prior to waxing. The vendor must use low odor compound for stripping and waxing used on floors. After application of wax, areas must be buffed (if required) sufficiently for maximum gloss and uniform sheen from wall to wall, including corners. The waxed floor must present a clean appearance free from scuff marks or dirt smears. Furniture or other equipment moved during floor stripping and waxing must be returned to their original positions.

l. Shampooing Carpets and Rugs. Prior to shampooing, carpets and rugs must be vacuumed free of all loose soil and debris. Carpets and rugs must be shampooed free of streaks, stains, and spots, and must have a bright uniform color. Shampooing must be done by the water extraction method. After drying, furniture or other equipment moved for the shampooing must be returned to their original positions.

3. TRASH SERVICES: Performance requirements for trash dumpsters and trash removal consist of the following.

a. Dumpsters:

1) The contractor must supply dumpsters at each facility in the size and quantity indicated below. The CO or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will advise of the location of each dumpster.

a) Clarksburg ATCT – 4 cu yard

b) Clarksburg SSC – 2 cu yard

c) Morgantown ATCT – No dumpster is required to be provided.

2) Dumpster must be kept in good repair. Any dumpster that is not kept in good repair will be replaced by the contractor.

b. Trash Collection:

1) The contractor must empty all dumpsters at the frequency listed below.

a) Clarksburg ATCT – Weekly trash service on Tuesday

b) Clarksburg SSC – Weekly trash service on Tuesday

c) Morgantown ATCT – Not Required

2) The contractor must dispose of all trash in accordance with local city, county, and state regulations.

4. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Some areas must be occupied by FAA employees performing official duties during the time contract work is being conducted. Therefore, the contractor must give special attention while conducting work in these areas. These areas contain critical and specialized power for the operation of equipment used by the FAA. At no time may the Contractor’s power-driven equipment be plugged into any electrical outlet used by FAA equipment or racks. Care must be exercised to prevent vacuum cleaners, buffers, mops, etc., from striking FAA electronics equipment and racks. The COR must assist the Contractor in working out the best and safest methods for the proper cleaning of these areas.

5. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED ON A DAILY BASIS AT ALL LOCATIONS. For frequency of floor cleaning, see detail chart for each facility in Section 13:

a. Wipe down all water fountain and cooler fixtures and drain pans.

b. Empty all waste bins.

c. Vacuum all carpeting and sweep all non-carpeted floor space including hallways and stairwell landings.

d. Clean all restrooms.

e. Clean all break rooms. Clean and wipe off all surfaces, including the top of snack machines, TV, tables, and counter tops with odorless disinfectant cleaning solutions.

Clean and disinfect microwave ovens. Wipe chairs and/or brush off upholstered chairs.

Replenish all paper towel dispensers with properly fitting towels.

f. Disinfect entryway door handles and push bar inside and outside, elevator buttons and all handrails.

g. Remove all trash, garbage, packing, crating, and other extraneous material from the premises and disposed of it in accordance with city, county, and state regulations. The contractor must maintain all refuse areas in a clean, orderly condition, free of flies and vermin.

6. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED ON A WEEKLY BASIS AT ALL LOCATIONS.

Services must not exceed 7 days between each service. For frequency of floor cleaning, see detail chart for each facility in Section 13:

a. Damp mop all non-carpeted floors including hallways and equipment room.

b. Sweep all stairways and landings and clean all ledges in tower stairwell.

c. Remove splash marks from walls around all water fountains, coolers and sinks.

d. Dust all furniture, horizontal counters, equipment on counters, mini-blinds, windowsills, and ledges.

e. Clean entrance and exit corridors. Wash inside and outside of entrance and exit corridor door, if glass clean until free of film, streaks, and stains. Wipe up all spills and drips.

f. Clean and disinfect elevator walls.

g. Restrooms. Clean and flush floor drains with disinfectant.

7. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED ON A MONTHLY BASIS AT ALLLOCATIONS.

Services must not exceed 30 days between each service. For frequency of floor cleaning, see detail chart for each facility in Section 13:

a. Clean all refrigerators externally.

b. Clean stairwells (including handrails and landings) between ground and junction floors.

c. Clean all air conditioning and heating vents.

d. Dust tower cab window shades with a light feather duster to prevent scratching or damage to the shade finish. This method’s success can be enhanced when the cleaning personnel spray an anti-static aerosol on the dusting implement. The spray will attract the dust and leave the Mylar film ‘neutrally’ charged. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions.

e. Breakrooms. Clean stove and inside of oven (if present).

f. Spot clean all carpeting.

8. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS AT ALLLOCATIONS:

Once per three-month period not to exceed 90 days between service, at a time to be coordinated with the COR.

a. Wax and buff all tile floors (except anti-static or slate floors).

b. Clean all glass and frames inside and out. All glass surfaces must be cleaned and left free of streaks and stains and must be wiped dry. All paint, putty, film, and foreign matter found on glass surfaces must be removed.

c. Wash, clean, and squeegee all tower cab window glass areas, inside and outside. This work is to be done during daylight hours only. Do not use abrasive or cleaners that may mar or spot the glass. All glass surfaces must be cleaned and left free of streaks and stains and must be wiped dry. All paint, putty, film, and foreign matter found on glass surfaces must be removed. This must be coordinated in advance with the COR.

9. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED ON A SEMI-ANNUAL BASIS AT ALLLOCATIONS:

Once per six-month period, not to exceed 180 days between services, at a time coordinated with the COR.

a. Strip and wax all tile floors in the building.

b. Clean and shampoo all carpet.

c. Clean and shampoo all cloth furniture.

d. Clean all light covers in towers and base buildings.

e. Clean all mini-blinds and vertical blinds and rehang.

10. TOWER CAB SHADES

a. Dust Tower Cab window shades with a light feather duster to prevent scratching or damage to the shade finish. This method can be enhanced when the cleaning personnel spray an anti-static aerosol on the dusting implement. The spray will attract the dust and leave the Mylar film ‘neutrally’ charged. Refer to manufacturer’s cleaning instructions on pages 14 and 15.

1) Frequency Chart

Site Dust

CKB SSC Semi- Annual

CKB ATCT Monthly

MGW ATCT Monthly

b. Clean Tower Cab Shade: the Contractor must use a ‘swifter-type’ mop with the dry cleaning cloth. Use it only with the anti-static spray, and replace the cloth frequently while cleaning. Contractor is responsible for ensuring shades are not scratched. Refer to manufacturer’s cleaning instructions on pages 14 and 15.

1) Frequency Chart

Site Clean CKB SSC Semi- Annual

CKB ATCT Annual

MGW ATCT Semi- Annual

MFD ATCT Semi- Annual

11. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT:

a. The Contractor must furnish all supplies, including bathroom supplies, waste bin liners, toilet tissue, hand soap, paper towels, deodorizers, disinfectants, dish soap, dinner napkins, hand towels, hand sanitizer, and hand soap, dishwashing powder or liquid for the break room, in sufficient quantities necessary to meet the requirements of this contract. The Contractor is responsible for placing these items in their normal place of use.

b. The Contractor must furnish all tools, equipment, and janitorial supplies, including cleaning compounds, soap, non-slip buffers, power industrial vacuum cleaners, buckets, polishing compounds, flashlight, disinfectants, shampoos, steel wool, mop buckets with ringer and casters, degreasers, wiping rags, lint free glass cleaning rags, glass cleaning products, rubber gloves, detergents, sponges, squeegees, of acceptable commercial grade and quality, and in sufficient quantities necessary to meet the requirements of this contract. Contractor-provided tools (i.e. vacuum cleaner, buffing machines etc.) must be commercial grade and must not generate excessive noise that disrupts the work in progress. Vacuum bags must be replaced on a weekly basis or sooner if needed. The Contractor must use cleaning agents of synthetic detergent that are odor counteracting and have germicide properties. Contractor must provide Safety Data Sheets of any chemicals brought onto the site or stored onsite.

c. All power equipment and attachments, including power cable and extension cords, must be free from any defects. The Contractor must use only the FAA furnished power outlets designated by the COR or CO.

d. No contractor furnished or owned commodity must be kept on FAA owned or leased space or property without approval in writing by the COR or CO. The Contractor must keep pilferable items under lock and key at all times and must provide the COR with a key in the event of an emergency.

12. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

a. The Contractor must provide the COR with a monthly work schedule. The schedule must include work hours, employees involved, any special services, and weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual services performed during that month. The scheduled service must be submitted to the COR 30 days in advance of the service for it to be effective. Any changes to the schedule require prior approval of the COR.

1) The scheduled monthly service dates (1st of the month through the last day of the month of the next month) must be submitted to the COR 30 days in advance of the service (I.e. schedule to spot clean carpeting on April 3rd; the schedule needs submitted by the March 3rd).

2) The scheduled quarterly service dates must be submitted to the COR 30 days in advance of the service (I.e. schedule to wax and buff all tile floor for 3rd quarter on June 6th, the scheduled dates need submitted to the COR by May 6th).

3) The scheduled semi-annual service dates must be submitted to the COR 30 days in advance of the service (I.e. schedule to strip and wax all tile floor for 1st 6-months on January 17th, the scheduled dates need submitted to the COR by December 17th).

4) The scheduled annual service dates must be submitted to the COR 30 days in advance of the service.

b. The Contractor must provide the COR with a checklist signed and dated for each service completed for the weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual services electronically by the 10th of each month.

1) The completed checklist for weekly services (Sunday through Saturday) must be submitted to the COR by the 10th of the following month.

2) The completed checklist for monthly services (1st of the month through the last day of the month) must be submitted to the COR by the 10th of the following month.

3) The completed checklist for quarterly services must be submitted to the COR by the

10th of the following month.

4) The completed checklist for semi-annual services must be submitted to the COR by the 10th of the following month.

5) The completed checklist for annual services must be submitted to the COR by the 10th of the following month.

c. The Contractor must arrange for satisfactory supervision of the contract work. The contractor or his/her supervisors must be available at all times. The name of the supervisor must be submitted in writing through the COR to the CO. The designated contractor supervisor must meet with the COR monthly to inspect contract performance if requested by the FAA.

d. Prior to the commencement of the contract, the CO/COR and the Contractor must meet and review the total workload and working methods proposed by the Contractor. The Contractor must submit prior to the contract starting date an annual schedule of all periodic work by dates and areas. The Contractor must be required to submit a work report of the periodic jobs performed for comparison with the schedule requirements.

e. The Contractor must ensure each employee completes the appropriate security forms required by FAA, Personnel Security Division, to conduct local background checks and appropriate national agency checks. If the background security checks reveal the employee does not meet FAA’s suitability standards, he/she must not be allowed to work at the FAA facility. Security will notify the CO prior to notifying the Contractor to remove the employee from the facility. The Contractor must submit to the COR a list of all employees by name who are to work at this facility not later than ten (10) days after receipt of contract award. The Contractor must likewise notify the COR in writing of any deletions or additions of employees performing under this contract immediately.

The Contractor and his/her employees must be subject to all rules and regulations relative to entering and leaving the buildings and grounds for security purposes.

f. The contractor is responsible for all government-furnished keys and access cards. The contractor must bear the cost of replacement keys and re-coring and all applicable locks if the keys and/or access cards become lost or destroyed.

13. SERVICES SPECIFIC TO EACH LOCATION

a. Clarksburg Air Traffic Control Towers (CKB ATCT), 2500 Aviation Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330

JANITORIAL SERVICE TO BE PERFORMED: Facility to be cleaned encompasses approximately 5058.45 square feet.

HOURS SERVICE IS TO BE PERFORMED: All services must be conducted between 8:30 am and 9:00 pm, 7 days a week. Contractor personnel need to be aware of times when Air Traffic is especially heavy and therefore, adjustment of hours may be required to perform the necessary work.

The cleaning of floor tasks must be performed by the contractor at the frequency specified below:

CLARKSBURG AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER SPACE AND DETAILS

NAME ROOM SQ

FEET

FLOORING

TYPE

SERVICE

FREQUENCY

Base Building:

TRACON 114 314.9 Carpet 7 days Hallways 113 350 Vinyl Tiles 3 days Hallways 102 265 Vinyl Tiles 3 days Men's Restroom 116 129.6 Vinyl Tiles 7 days Women's Restroom 117 108 Vinyl Tiles 7 days Conference/Training Room 109 221.8 Carpet 5 days Locker Room 111 60.6 Vinyl Tiles 3 Days Administrative Office 103 225 Carpet 5 days Administrative Office 106 140.4 Carpet 5 days Administrative Office 107 122.8 Carpet 5 days Administrative Office 119 190 Carpet 5 days Administrative Office 104 188.8 Carpet 5 days Administrative Office 108 92 Carpet 5 days Administrative Office 110A 90.8 Carpet 5 days Mechanical Room 120 248.9 Concrete None FAA Equipment 118 646.25 ESD Tile 3 days Entry corridor 101 25 Rubber 3 days Link Corridor 30 Vinyl Tiles 3 days Kitchen 110 190 Laminate 7 days Break Room 112 105 Laminate 7 days Generator Room 121 267.4 Concrete None

Ground Floor Stairwell/Landing 80.3 Concrete/metal 5 days Maintenance Storage 160.8 Concrete None

Custodian Closet 42.7 Vinyl Tiles 3 days

Second Floor Stairwell/Landing 80.3 Metal 5 days ATC Exercise Room 160.8 Carpet 5 days Storage 42.7 Vinyl Tiles None

Third Floor Stairwell/Landing 80.3 Metal 5 days Hallway 75 Vinyl Tiles 5 days Storage 80.3 Vinyl Tiles None Restroom 27 Vinyl Tiles 7 days

Tower Cab:

Cab 216 ESD Carpet 7 days

Total Square Footage 5058.45

b. Clarksburg Service Support Center (CKB SSC), 289 Aviation Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330 approximately 6,235 square feet.

HOURS SERVICE IS TO BE PERFORMED: All services must be conducted between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, 5 days a week Monday through Friday. Some work may be performed at other times, arranged with COR. Contractor personnel need to be aware of times when Air Traffic is especially heavy and therefore, adjustment of hours may be required to perform the necessary work.

The cleaning of floor tasks must be performed by the contractor at the frequency specified below. Five days a week services must be performed daily Monday through Friday.

Twice a week services must not exceed 4 days between services, and must be performed at least twice within a 7-day period. Quarterly services must not exceed 90 days between services at a time coordinated with the COR:

CLARKSBURG SERVICE SUPPORT CENTER SPACE AND DETAILS

NAME SQ

FEET

FLOORING

TYPE

SERVICE

FREQUENCY

Basement Floor Hallway 414 Vinyl Tiles 2 days Rm 101 Tech Cubicle Room 900 Vinyl Tiles 5 days Rm 102 Utility Room 60 Concrete 2 days Rm 103 Custodian Closet 48 Concrete 2 days Rm 104 Telco Room 33 Concrete None Rm 105 Storage 578 Concrete None Rm 106 Pump Room 33 Concrete None Rm 107 Restroom/Locker Room 176 Vinyl Tiles 5 days

Rm 108 Tech/Eq Room 364 Vinyl Tiles Monthly Rm 109 Garage 282 Concrete None

First Floor Entry corridor 45 Vinyl Coin Mat 2 days Main Entry Hallway 414 Carpet 2 days Secretary's Area 175 Carpet 5 days Rm 201 Admin Office 132 Carpet 5 days Rm 202 Closet 33 Vinyl Tiles None Rm 203 Admin Office 128 Carpet 5 days Rm 204 Manager's Office 234 Carpet 5 days Rm 205 Admin Office 108 Carpet 2 days Rm 205/A Closet 48 Vinyl Tiles None Rm 206 Closet 104 Carpet None Rm 207 Admin/Storage 122 Carpet None Rm 208 Admin Office 104 Carpet 5 days Rm 209 Women's Restroom 55 Vinyl Tiles 5 days Rm 210 Breakroom 286 Carpet 5 days Rm 211 Men's Restroom 55 Vinyl Tiles 5 days Rm 212 Conference Room 586 Carpet 2 days Stairs and Landings 108 Vinyl Coin Mat 2 days Elevator 42 Carpet 2 days

Total Square Footage 5667

c. Morgantown Air Traffic Control Tower (MGW ATCT), 110 Hart Field Road, Morgantown, WV 26505 approximately 1541 square feet.

HOURS SERVICE IS TO BE PERFORMED: All services must be conducted between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, 7 days a week. Contractor personnel need to be aware of times when Air Traffic is especially heavy and therefore, adjustment of hours may be required to perform the necessary work.

The cleaning of floor tasks must be performed by the contractor at the frequency specified below. Five days a week services must be performed daily Monday through Friday. Three days a week services must not exceed 3 days between services and must be performed at least three times in a 7-day period:

MORGANTOWN AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER SPACE

AND DETAILS

NAME SQ

FEET

FLOORING

TYPE

SERVICE

FREQUENCY

Ground Floor Stairwell/Landing 80.3 Concrete/metal 5 days Maintenance Storage 160.8 Concrete None Storage (cleaning) 42.7 Vinyl Tiles 5 days

Second Floor Stairwell/Landing 80.3 Metal 5 days Equipment Room 160.8 Vinyl Tiles 2 days Storage 42.7 Vinyl Tiles None

Third Floor Stairwell/Landing 80.3 Metal 5 days Hallway 75 Carpet 5 days Storage 80.3 Vinyl Tiles None Batroom 27 Ceramic Tile 7 days

Tower Cab:

Cab 216 Carpet 7 days

Total Sq. Ft. 1046.2

Cleaning instructions for ATCT Mylar film shades

The best way to maintain the optical clarity of Mylar film shades is to avoid the dust adhesion caused by the natural static charge that occurs with all Mylar film shades. Optimally, if all ATCTs had perfect air filtration systems, the dust accumulation would be minimal, and operations would only have to deal with the occasional squashed bug or hand smudge.

Unfortunately, perfect conditions do not exist.

The manufacturer recommends only a light feather dusting on a regular basis. This method’s success can be enhanced if the cleaning personnel spray an anti-static aerosol on the dusting implement. These anti-static sprays are available at home centers, hardware stores and cleaning supply companies. Look for ‘electronics anti-static’ sprays such as 3M and ‘Endust for Electronics’. The spray will attract the dust and leave the Mylar film ‘neutrally’ charged.

A good rule of thumb is to dust the shades every 6 months, depending upon the cab’s dust level.

One of the better items to use is a ‘swifter-type’ mop with the dry cleaning cloth. Its long push handle makes it easier to reach in behind the shade for dusting the window side of the film. Use it only with the anti-static spray, and replace the cloth often while cleaning.

Never use a Windex-type cleaner with ammonia. It will age the film and quite possibly leave additional chemicals on the surface, compromising the optical clarity of the Mylar.

If there is a smudged area, the factory suggests using a mild detergent, such as a highly diluted dishwashing liquid, with a clean soft cloth, applied gently to avoid scratching the surface. If cleaned in this manner, it should be done only on a small surface – the idea being that for the shades to maintain clarity, the surface must be completely dry before it is re-rolled back around the tube, otherwise, permanent marking of the film surface may occur.

One of the other methods the manufacturer installers use for smudges is the liquid naphtha, which is Zippo lighter fluid. The installer’s method is to pour some onto a wad of toilet paper and in a circular fashion, lightly rub the smudged area. The naphtha evaporates almost immediately, allowing the smudge residue to bond to the toilet paper. It will almost instantly remove something as small as a fingerprint, right up to a dried squashed insect. The naphtha is available at building supply stores in quart cans, and works quite well. Because of its flammability, however, the manufacturer Screen cannot endorse its use, but simply passes on the information.

NOTE: Using liquid naphtha to remove smudges is not an acceptable method in FAA Air Traffic Control Towers

The manufacturer understands that there are many shade cleaning services out there, some offering in-place cleaning, and others offering removal to clean, with re-install. The manufacturer does not recommend ever removing the shades from their mounts. Obviously, the more handling of the shades, the more likely damage will occur.

Also, re-installation may not be ‘up to par’, meaning possible misplacement of sized shades to certain windows; new locking cotter pins not being re-installed; springs not properly wound;

and/or hold-down cords improperly re-set.

Lastly, and most importantly, is the whole idea that just like a pair of eyeglasses, no Mylar film is scratch-proof. Simply put, the more ‘scrubbing’ that is done to the surface of Mylar film shades, the more scratches will appear.

The life of a typical Mylar film shade, with correct installation and proper operation should easily reach 7 years. Maintaining their mountings and with proper cleaning as stated above, will keep their optical clarity at an optimum, easily achieving that 7 year lifespan.

Figure that each time a shade is cleaned by a contact method, it shortens its optical life by an estimated 6 months. If the cleaning is done by a non-touch ‘spraying’ method, with proper drying, the scratch factor is minimized, however the problems of handling and re-mounting still exist. Also, any liquid intrusion into the spring assembly will corrode the parts and shorten the shade’s operational life.

If regular cleaning is insisted upon, having it done more than once a year is unnecessary, if proper maintenance is incorporated. Keeping the Mylar film shades cleaner, can usually be achieved by simply changing the air handler filters much more often – once a month at least.