Building cleaning is an essential part of property maintenance and value preservation. Uniform cleaning standards and legally regulated norms play a crucial role in this. In this article, we will take a closer look at various cleaning standards and the most important DIN standards relevant to building cleaning.

Why are cleaning standards important?

Cleaning standards serve to ensure and improve the quality of cleaning. They ensure that specific requirements and expectations are met, both in terms of hygiene and appearance. Uniform standards also help evaluate cleaning performance and provide transparency between service providers and clients.

Different Cleaning Standards

There are various cleaning standards that differ depending on the area of application. Here are some of the most important ones:

a) Visual Cleaning: Visual cleaning is a superficial cleaning process that removes coarse dirt and visible soiling. It is often performed in offices to ensure a tidy appearance.

b) Maintenance Cleaning: Maintenance cleaning is carried out at regular intervals and includes recurring cleaning tasks such as vacuuming, mopping floors, and cleaning sanitary facilities. It ensures the continuous cleanliness of a building.

c) Deep Cleaning: Deep cleaning is a more intensive cleaning process that also addresses hard-to-reach areas and stubborn dirt. It is performed at longer intervals and often involves surface treatment.

d) Special Cleaning: Special cleaning services are specific cleaning tasks not part of the regular scope of work, such as post-construction cleaning, facade cleaning, or graffiti removal.

What are DIN Standards?

DIN standards are standardized specifications developed by the organization DIN (German Institute for Standardization) to establish uniform standards for products, processes, and services. In building cleaning, DIN standards serve to ensure the quality of cleaning, the safety of employees and users, and the preservation of building value.

Standards like these are not legally mandated, but in practice, they are often considered a binding basis because they describe proven procedures and requirements. For example, if a cleaning company operates according to specific DIN standards, it signals to the client that it offers professional and high-quality services.

How do DIN Standards work?

DIN standards follow a set principle:

Definition of a Standard: A DIN standard describes in detail the requirements for a product or service. In building cleaning, for example, this could include standards for surface cleaning, hygiene in sensitive areas (such as hospitals), or the environmental compatibility of cleaning agents.

Voluntary Application: Compliance with DIN standards is voluntary, unless made mandatory by contracts or laws. However, many building cleaning companies use DIN standards to optimize their operations, reduce liability risks, and increase customer satisfaction.

Certification: Some standards can form the basis for certification. A company certified according to a DIN standard can use this as a mark of quality. This way, customers know that the company adheres to defined standards.

Continuous Revision: DIN standards are regularly reviewed and revised as needed to adapt them to the latest state of technology and industry requirements.

The most important DIN standards in building cleaning

In Germany, various DIN standards regulate the requirements for building cleaning. These standards help ensure high-quality cleaning services and set binding standards.

a) DIN EN 13549: Quality in Building Services: This standard specifies requirements for a quality management system in building cleaning. It serves as a guideline for the provision of cleaning services and ensures that agreed quality standards are met.

b) DIN 77400: Cleaning of Schools: DIN 77400 describes specific requirements for the cleaning of schools and educational institutions. It defines cleaning intervals and methods to create a hygienic and healthy learning environment.

c) DIN 18065: Cleaning of Stairwells: This standard concerns the maintenance and cleaning of stairwells to ensure their safety and cleanliness. It specifies which cleaning methods are to be used and how often cleaning should take place.

d) DIN 18379: Cleaning of Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems: DIN 18379 regulates the cleaning of ventilation and air conditioning systems. Proper cleaning of these systems is important to maintain air quality in buildings and minimize health risks.

e) DIN EN 1822: Filters for Indoor Air Purification: This standard describes requirements for filters used in ventilation and air conditioning systems. It is particularly relevant for cleaning cleanrooms and areas with high hygiene standards.

How are DIN standards used?

In building cleaning, DIN standards are used in various ways:

1. Quality Assurance

• Companies offering cleaning services use DIN standards to ensure the quality of their work.
• For example, DIN EN 13549 specifies how the quality of cleaning work is assessed. Criteria are defined to enable objective evaluation of cleaning results.

2. Work Instructions and Training

• Many cleaning companies use DIN standards as a basis for their internal work instructions and employee training.
• This ensures that all employees work according to uniform standards and know how to properly clean special surfaces, such as delicate floors or glass.

3. Bid and Contract Design

• When awarding cleaning contracts, clients often require that services be performed according to specific DIN standards.
• Companies that work according to these standards can indicate in their bids that they adhere to certain standards, which can represent a competitive advantage.

4. Safety and Health Protection

• Some standards include requirements concerning employee health protection. This is particularly important in building cleaning, as chemical cleaning agents and heavy equipment are often used.
• Adherence to such standards helps prevent accidents and reduce employee exposure.

5. Environmental Protection

• DIN standards also promote the use of environmentally friendly procedures and cleaning agents.
• The DIN EN ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management systems, is applied by many cleaning companies to ensure environmentally sound practices.

Example: Application of a DIN Standard in Practice

A hospital enters into a contract with a cleaning company. The contract stipulates that cleaning must be carried out according to DIN 13063 ("Hospital Hygiene – Requirements for Cleaning"). This standard describes, among other things:

• Which cleaning agents may be used in different areas (operating theaters, patient rooms).
• The required cleaning frequency.
• How the quality of cleaning can be checked.

The building cleaning company aligns its work processes with the standard, trains its employees, and conducts internal quality controls. The client can now be assured that cleaning is performed to a high hygienic standard and is regularly monitored.

Advantages of Using DIN Standards

1. Improved Quality:
2. Compliance with standards guarantees a consistently high level of quality.
3. Trust and Transparency:
4. Clients know that services are provided according to objective, verifiable criteria.
5. Legal and Contractual Security:
6. DIN standards can serve as a reference in contracts and help avoid disputes.
7. Increased Efficiency:
8. Companies that work according to standards can optimize their processes and thus operate more efficiently.

Conclusion

Cleaning standards and DIN norms play a crucial role in building cleaning. They ensure consistently high quality of cleaning services and build trust between clients and service providers. For companies that use cleaning services, it is important to ensure compliance with these standards to guarantee a hygienic and safe environment.