7 Innovations for Creating Healthier Environments in Higher Education
Students, parents and staff have higher standards for health and wellness than ever before. Healthy innovations in facilities are transforming campuses in important ways — making them safer and more enjoyable places to learn and work. We take a look at seven innovations that will help improve safety on your campus every day.
1 | Demand-Driven Cleaning
Healthy Innovation:
IoT Room Sensors
Meeting increased expectations for cleaning frequency can be a challenge for many campuses. Yet, on any given day—whether during the pandemic or post-pandemic—it’s unlikely every space is being used or occupied. Knowing where unused spaces exist allows higher ed institutions to reallocate resources to the spaces that need additional attention.
IoT sensor-based strategies give campuses real-time data and insights into how their spaces are being used. Cleaning is delivered based on actual usage, driving visibly safer environments and improving resource allocation. Best of all, the same data can be repurposed for other campus space utilization planning decisions.
Benefits:
- Gain real-time insight into occupancy and space utilization
- Meet increased cleaning expectations with existing resources
- Deploy services exactly when and where they are most needed
2 | Remote Monitoring
Healthy Innovation:
AIWX Connect
Building performance data is an essential component for creating healthier and safer campus spaces. Variables like social distancing, occupancy levels, space utilization, air quality, temperature, equipment vibration and occupant satisfaction all influence how campuses create healthier spaces.
AIWX Connect, provides real-time building intelligence data through a variety of sensor technologies and delivers insights into building performance straight to your mobile device. Data is used to make adjustments that improve service delivery, drive operating efficiencies, and improve environmental outcomes.
Benefits:
- Holistic insight into building operations
- Real-time data and space intelligence
- Improved campus satisfaction and safety
For more information, visit the Aramark Intelligent Workplace Experience (AIWX) page.
3 | Autonomous Vehicles
Healthy Innovation:
Robotic Cleaning Machines
The use of robotic cleaning has gained traction during the pandemic. Educational institutions are increasing adoption of these technologies, particularly for floor care. The ROI for the vehicles has been improving, thanks to advancements such as increased battery life, improved tracking, and object recognition. Additional advancements, such as built-in UV-C disinfection and improved data analytics make this technology even more appealing.
Benefits:
- Safely cleans areas that could be harmful to cleaning staff
- Frees cleaning staff to focus on other areas of priority
- Creates a public perception of health, safety and innovation
4 | Cleanliness Validation
Healthy Innovation:
Program to Verify Space Cleanliness
The pandemic has heightened everyone’s perception of cleanliness and safety. For example, 74% of college-age students wash their hands more often and 64% report carrying hand sanitizer. Providing and communicating methods for keeping campuses clean help break through student fears and provide reassurance of safety.
The use of black light technology with a simple fluorescent spray provides a quick, objective measurement of cleaning thoroughness, so that areas needing additional attention can be addressed. Bring accountability and documented validation proof to your cleaning program.
Benefits:
- Provides a means to document that cleaning has occurred
- Finds surfaces needing additional attention
- Identifies areas for additional staff training
For more pandemic cleaning techniques, review our infographic, Best Practices to Create Safer Campuses.
5 | Air Filtration
Healthy Innovation:
HEPA and MERV Filters
The pandemic has highlighted the role that HVAC systems can play in transmitting or impeding virus transmission. Air filtration systems are an important part of creating safer and healthier campus spaces. Increasing the use of HEPA and MERV filters and introducing fresh air into building spaces may be the first line of defense in creating healthier campuses.
These HVAC strategies have the potential to reduce the risks of infectious aerosol dissemination, according to the ASHRAE Board of Directors, by targeting air distribution patterns, differential room pressurization, personalized ventilation, source capture ventilation, filtration (central or local), and through controlling temperature and relative humidity.
Benefits:
- Reduces airborne illness transmission Improves indoor air quality
- Provides another way to disinfect environments
6 | Surface Protectants
Healthy Innovation:
Microbial Films
Technological advancements, including the use of nanotechnology, are providing new solutions to further treat high-touch surfaces.
Microbial film is a common form of surface protectant. Some films continually “self-clean” when exposed to light. These films must still be cleaned of dirt and bioburden. These treatments complement the traditional cleaning process by more thoroughly sanitizing or disinfecting surfaces. Applications on door handles, elevator buttons, desks, hand railings and other high-touch areas help support a safer environment.
Benefits:
- Expands safety of high-touch surfaces
- Complements existing cleaning, sanitization and disinfecting processes
7 | Electrochemically Activated Cleaning Solutions
Healthy Innovation:
Aramark’s Blue Cleaning Program
Cleaning solutions that safely combine tap water, salt and electricity have been in use for years. Electrically charged solutions attract dirt without the use of many common chemical-based cleaners. Additionally, they are environmentally friendly, due to the lack of chemical products, packaging and waste disposal. Recently, these systems have been proven to deactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Aramark Blue Cleaning program embraces this technology, employing the safest and most environmentally sustainable approach to cleaning.
Benefits:
- Eliminates the need for harmful chemicals
- Ensures safer cleaning for students and staff members
- Supports sustainability by reducing chemical disposal and packaging
Is your campus ready to move forward with happier, healthier spaces of the future?
The pandemic has accelerated the development of innovations and best practices to create healthier environments and drive better outcomes. Aramark delivers continuous innovation to keep its clients in the forefront of managing facilities. Let’s discuss how to boost your campus’ satisfaction, drive operating efficiencies, and create a healthier campus environment.
