One of the ways to track the ever-changing culture of office spaces is by how densely they are occupied. Open work spaces and standing desks are chic, but businesses are also finding themselves in need of hiring more people, and as a business grows, more people may be occupying the same amount of space. Culture is changing, and it’s up to managers to organize their offices in the way they see fit. In office buildings, the average square footage per person has dropped considerably, from around 225 square feet per person to around 150. Economy and efficiency are a good thing; still, it’s important for managers to be aware of the changes downstream that result from these changes.
Businesses occupying older buildings are likely to feel these changes most acutely. These older buildings and their restrooms were designed for a certain personnel load, and greater occupancy taxes common areas, most notably, the restroom. The first place that the consequences of an overused restroom will be felt is likely to be the paper towel dispenser. As use goes up, the dispenser falls short, and needs to be refilled more frequently. It’s up to you to decide with your Los Angeles janitorial service on the best way to keep things moving.
It’s About Design
Design can make a huge difference. The comparatively low-occupancy needs of the past didn’t necessitate much more than the standard recessed stainless steel dispenser, with attached waste bin below. However, even at low use volume, the design automatically results in waste, as occupants grab more than needed, and, depending on the design, a number of towels more are forever lost, falling unused into the bin below. Newer automatic-roll dispensers stand to solve many of these problems at once. Paper towels on the roll are more space efficient than the folded ones, meaning units need to be refilled less frequently. At the same time, the auto-dispense system discourages waste by dispensing a set amount of paper each time, likely limiting those paper-happy visitors who grab more than they need.
Minor Upgrades
Often times, completely redesigning your bathroom to make it more efficient isn’t possible. If you still find that use requirements aren’t being met, there may be easier solutions to take a little of the strain off. For example, from the perspective of waste, adding an air dryer, in addition to the towel dispenser, can cut back on the amount of paper towels used, while also reducing the frequency that the trash needs to be changed. Other minor additions, like an added waste bin under the sink, or a dedicated table top towel dispenser on top of the sink, can keep things clean longer.
Things change, and a building needs and expectations are no different. Getting help from a Los Angeles janitorial service who can understand your building’s and bathroom’s needs goes far to improve your workspace, and save you money.
