APPA Cleaning Standards

The U of L Caretaking department follows industry cleaning standards laid out by the Association for Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA). The standards are graded by a sliding scale from Level 1 to 5 where Level 1 is the highest standards of cleaning service and Level 5 is the lowest. Each level is defined by a range of tasks and their frequency. The cleaning levels are as follows: Level 1 Orderly Spotlessness, Level 2 Ordinary Tidiness, Level 3 Casual Inattention, Level 4 Moderate Dinginess, Level 5 Unkempt Neglect. Complete details of the APPA standards are below.

Using the APPA standards, Caretaking strives to provide quality service to our customers. Cleaning requests over and above the standard provided or at greater frequency can be arranged and are at the cost of the requesting department. These additional requests can be made through the Facilities Service Desk.

APPA Custodial Standards:

Level 1 Orderly Spotlessness

Floors and base board molding shine and/or are bright and clean; colours are fresh. There is no build-up in corners or along walls.

All vertical and horizontal surfaces have a freshly cleaned or polished appearance and have no accumulation of dust, dirt, marks, streaks, smudges, or fingerprints.

Washroom and shower fixtures and tile gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate. Waste containers only hold daily waste, are clean and odor free.

Level 2 Ordinay Tidiness

Floors and base board molding shine and/or are bright and clean. there is no build-up in corners or along walls, but there can be up to two days worth of dust, dirt, stains, or streaks.

All vertical and horizontal surfaces are clean, but marks, dust, smudges, and fingerprints are noticeable upon close observation.

Washroom and shower fixtures and tile gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate. Waste containers hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.

Level 3 Casual Inattention

Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but upon close observation there can be stains. A build-up of dirt and/or floor finish in corners and along walls can be seen.

There are dull spots and/or matted carpet in walking lanes. There are streaks or splashes on base board molding.

All vertical and horizontal surfaces have obvious dust, dirt, marks, smudges, and fingerprints. Waste containers hold only daily waste, are clean and ordor-free.

Level 4 Moderate Dinginess

Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but are dull, dingy, and stained. There is noticeable build-up or dirt and/or floor finish in corners and along walls.

There is a dull path and/or obviously matted carpet in walking lanes. Base molding is dull and dingy with steaks or splashes.

All vertical and horizontal surfaces have conspicuous dust, dirt, smudges, fingerprints, and marks. Light fixtures are dirty. Waste containers have old trash. They are stained and marked. Waste containers smell sour.

Level 5 Unkempt Neglect

Floors and carpets are dull, dirty, dingy, scuffed, and/or matted. There is conspicuous buil-up of old dirt and/or floor finish in corners and along walls. Base board molding is dirty, stained, and streaked. Gum, stains, dirt, dust balls, and waste are broadcast.

All vertical and horizontal surfaces have major accumulations of dust, dirt, smudges, and fingerprints, all of which will be difficult to remove. Lack of attention is obvious.

Light fixtures are dirty with dust balls and flies. Waste containers are overflowing. They are stained and marked. Waste containers smell sour.