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FOD Cleaning

Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) is responsible for cleaning and custodial services in most academic, research, and administrative buildings located on the Columbus campus. Select facilities, including those managed by the Office of Student Life and the Wexner Medical Center, are outside FOD’s scope.

FOD follows protocols based on best practices for higher education institutions. Custodial, maintenance or general service requests should be made by contacting Service2Facilities online, or by calling 614-292-HELP (4357).

View a vacuuming schedule. For additional information, please contact your zone leader.

Cleaning Frequencies 

Classrooms and Teaching Labs
TASK FREQUENCY
Clean / Wipe Down Desks and Common Use Surfaces Daily
Empty Trash Cans / Replenish Liners Daily
Re-Supply chalk / Erasers Daily
Sweep / Dust Mop Floors or Vacuum Daily
Dust Flat Surfaces / Furniture Monthly (2x)
Clean Boards / Trays / Erasers Daily
Empty Pencil Sharpeners Monthly
Damp Mop Floors Weekly
Clean Trash Cans Annually (2x)
Spot Clean Walls / Doors / frames Quarterly
Scrub / Recoat Floor / Shampoo Carpet Semi-Annually
Dust Vents Quarterly
Strip / Wax Floors Annually
Conference Rooms/Libraries/Lounges
TASK FREQUENCY
Sweep / Dust-Damp Mop or Vacuum Weekly (2x)
Spot Clean Carpet Monthly
Empty Trash / Replenish Liners Daily
Dust Furniture / Flat Surfaces Monthly (2x)
Spot Clean Walls / Doors / Partitions Quarterly
Clean Trash Cans Annually
Shampoo Carpets / Strip / Refinish Annually
Entranceways
TASK FREQUENCY
Open/Secure Doors Daily
Sweep/Dust Mop Floors Daily
Vacuum ALL Carpet / Roll-Up Walk-Off Mats Daily
Sweep Outside Ramp/Landing Daily
Empty Waste Containers Daily
Clean Window / Door Glass Daily
Damp Mop Floor Weekly (2x)
Spot Clean Walls / Doors Monthly
Scrub / Recoat Floors Note: To be completed during winter break and spring break Semi-annually
Clean / Extract Walk-Off Mats Quarterly
Strip/Refinish Floors Annually
Hallways/Lobbies
TASK FREQUENCY
Empty Trash Cans / Replenish Liners Daily
Clean Water Fountains Daily
Sweep / Dust Mop Floors Daily
Clean Elevator Weekly
Empty Recycling As Needed
Wet Mop Floors (Auto scrub) Weekly
Dust Flat Surfaces Monthly
Burnish  / Restore Floors Monthly
Clean Trash Cans Quarterly
Dust Vents Quarterly
Scrub / Recoat Floors or Carpet Semi-Annually
Strip / Refinish Floors Annually
Offices
TASK FREQUENCY
Sweep / Dust-Damp Mop or Vacuum Monthly*
Spot Clean Carpet Monthly*
Sweep / Dust-Damp Mop or Vacuum (circulation space in office suite) Weekly
Spot Clean Walls / Doors / Partitions Monthly
Clean Trash Cans Annually
Shampoo Carpets / Strip / Refinish Annually

*In private offices and cubes only

*Only centralized trash/recycle containers will be serviced

Research Labs
TASK FREQUENCY
Empty Trash Cans and Replenish Black Liners Daily
Empty Recycle Containers and Replenish Clear Liner except in desk-side recycling bins Daily
Re-Supply Chalk and Erasers Daily
Sweep and Dust Mop Floors or Vacuum Daily
Dust Flat Surfaces and Furniture Monthly (2x)
Clean Boards, Trays, and Erasers Daily
Empty Pencil Sharpeners Monthly
Damp Mop Floors Weekly
Clean Trash Cans Annually (2x)
Spot Clean Walls, Doors, and Frames Quarterly
Dust Vents Quarterly
Strip/Wax Floors Annually
Lab Benches and Sinks (Responsibility of Lab) Not cleaned by Custodial
Scrub and recoat floors Annually
Dust ledges, horizontal surfaces, and furniture Monthly (2x)
Clean and disinfect door knobs, lever handles, push plates, pull bars and handles Weekly

 

Restrooms
TASK FREQUENCY
Restock Dispensers Daily
Empty Trash / Replenish Liners Daily
Clean / Disinfect Toilets/Sinks/Urinals Daily
Clean Mirrors Daily
Sweep/Damp Mop Floors Daily
Clean Partitions / Doors Weekly
Dust Flat Surfaces Monthly (2x)
Spot Clean Walls / Doors Weekly
KaiVac Detail Wall and Floors Monthly
Clean Waste Containers Quarterly
Dust Vents Monthly (2x)
Stairwells
TASK FREQUENCY
Sweep Stairs / Landings Weekly (2x)
Damp Mop Stairs / Landings Weekly (2x)
High / Low Dusting / Clean Rails Monthly
Spot Wash Walls / Doors Quarterly
Scrub / Recoat Landings / Shampoo Carpet Semi-Annually
Strip / Refinish Floors Annually
Sterile, Surgical and Clinical Areas
TASK FREQUENCY
Between Base Not Performed
Terminal Daily
Disinfection of room, cycle cleaning Daily
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find additional signage for my building to promote healthy habits or wayfinding?

Information about signage is available on the UniPrint website.

What will FOD clean, how often, and what am I responsible for as a building user?

For FOD-maintained buildings, custodians will clean restrooms at least once a day. 

  • Individual Offices - FOD will vacuum, sweep, dust and spot-clean monthly. Once a year, FOD will shampoo carpets or strip and refinish floors. Individuals are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their own workstations. For employees who occupy single offices, we ask you to please empty your own deskside trash and recycling bins into centrally located containers. This will limit foot traffic in and out of your office. See the private office cleaning schedule.
  • Research Labs – Lab benches and sinks are the responsibility of the lab employees. It is recommended that individuals clean and disinfect shared workspaces. FOD will empty trash and recycling, and vacuum, sweep or mop floors daily. FOD will clean white boards and chalk boards daily and restock chalk supplies. Custodians will dust flat surfaces and furniture twice per month. Once a year, FOD will shampoo carpets or strip and refinish floors.
  • Kitchen and Break Areas - Building occupants utilizing break rooms or kitchens should be conscientious of others and clean up after each use.
  • Conference Rooms - Users are responsible for wiping down conference room high touch surfaces after each use. FOD will empty trash and recycling daily. Vacuuming, sweeping or mopping floors occurs twice, per week. Once a year, FOD will shampoo carpets or strip and refinish floors.
  • Classroom – Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected once per day. FOD will empty trash and recycling, sweep, dust, mop or vacuum floors daily. Custodians will clean white boards and chalk boards daily and restock chalk supplies. Once a year, FOD will shampoo carpets or strip and refinish floors.

For additional information, please contact your zone leader.

Where can I obtain proper cleaning supplies to disinfect my area?

Cleaning supplies for individual use are the responsibility of building occupants or may be provided by your college or unit. In limited circumstances, FOD may provide cleaning supplies, when available. Please contact your zone leader with any questions.

Are drinking fountains open?

Drinking fountains in FOD-managed buildings will remain operational and FOD will disinfect them at least twice per day.

Who should I contact with additional cleaning questions?

Please contact your zone leader with any questions.

Can you test my building’s air flow or exchange rates?

FOD is in alignment with commercial guidelines and follows CDC and ASHRAE recommendations. Commercial HVAC systems, like the ones used in most Ohio State buildings, are designed to comply with code and must meet minimum ventilation requirements. Additional testing is not needed. Outside air ventilation requirements are set during the design process and building systems are maintained in alignment with required codes.

Can I request FOD to add a HEPA filter unit from my classroom?

These units are only needed in rooms that required additional filtered airflow to ensure they meet or exceed CDC recommendations. They are not needed in rooms that already meet these guidelines.

If my classroom has a HEPA filter unit does that mean there is something wrong with my room's HVAC system?

No. The CDC recommendations exceed what is required by the building code. A room’s HVAC system can be adequate for “normal” conditions but need adjustments, like a HEPA filter unit, for enhanced safety during the pandemic.

Can you replace the air filter(s) for my building?

HVAC air filters will be changed according to their normal maintenance cycle. FOD routinely changes air filters on a planned schedule.