Ways to prevent dirt from entering a building

• Firstly, take off your shoes before entering a building. This is obviously not practical in the business world in western countries.

• Install an entrance mat, this however still allows some dirt to enter and you have to vacuum clean the entrance mat, some cover a large areas to be effective.

• Install automated sliding doors. This prevents dirt from being blown in by the wind, most businesses use this.

• Have a lobby area with entrance at right angles to the main entrance on both sides. Almost like a T shape. This serves to reduce airborne dust from entering. Used when entrances are wide and automated sliding doors would not be practical. Wind blown will flow over the walls in front the main entrance thus preventing dust from entering, another story if the wind blows through the side entrances, turbulence may deposit dust in the main entrance.

• Always keep windows closed, in other words air-con only for fresh air. The filters (if there are any) in the air-con reduce dust from entering.

• Designate eating areas and enforce a rule not to allow employees to eat their desks. (Crumbs fall on the floor and get distributed all around the desks in hard to reach places )

• Designate areas where safety boots are not allowed i.e. carpets. This saves money in cleaning oily carpets. 

• Lastly, invest in a vacuum entrance mat. This is new on the market, it basically an entrance mat but made of steel comprising of thousands of little valves which suck up the dirt from the soles of your feet and stores it in a removable tray. This confiding the dirt in the bin. Check it out  here www.steponit.co.za