In today’s rapidly evolving world, ensuring high standards of cleanliness and hygiene has become a top priority across multiple industries. This focus has been driven not only by the increased
awareness of health risks posed by communicable diseases such as COVID-19, but also by growing public expectations. Cleanliness is no longer just about appearance; it is now directly tied to health, safety, and the overall reputation of facilities.
Maintaining these high standards in high-traffic public spaces—where thousands of people interact with shared surfaces daily—presents a unique challenge. These high-touch surfaces can become
large reservoirs of soil and contamination that cannot be treated in the same way as other areas.
Conventional cleaning procedures often rely on visual inspections and scheduled routines, which, while important, can fail to identify high-touch areas and potential reservoirs. Microbial contamination, including bacteria, viruses, and other biological materials, can accumulate quickly on frequently touched surfaces like door handles, railings, and countertops. Left unidentified, these surfaces can become vectors for disease transmission. This is where advanced, data-driven tools like the ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) can significantly aid in effective identification.
The ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) is a cutting-edge device designed to offer quick, reliable, and scientifically backed assessments of surface cleanliness.
ATP TESTING OVERVIEW
Unlike traditional visual inspections, which often fail to detect microbial contaminants, ATP testing offers a precise and scientific way to measure and assess surface cleanliness.
Because of this, the use of ATP testing is recommended in the ISSA Clean Standard: Institutional and Commercial for both K-12 schools and commercial buildings.
In this case study, we will present the data found in the testing and assessment of these high-traffic, high-touch areas and what was decided during the training to reassess the cleaning methods and frequency.
FINDINGS BY LOCATION
1. Convention Center
The convention center is a bustling location, regularly hosting large events, making it a high-risk area for contamination due to constant foot traffic. Testing revealed the following:
- Average ATP level: ~6,816 RLU1
- Highest ATP reading: 20,593 RLU (lobby staircase handrail)
- Lowest ATP reading: 130 RLU (men’s main bathroom door)
2. Luxury Hotel–Baltimore
The luxury hotel is also a high-traffic property with many daily visitors and guests, and this was evident in the alarming ATP levels in key high-touch surfaces in the hotel:
- Average ATP level: ~4,808 RLU
- Highest ATP reading: 12,574 RLU (bathroom door)
- Lowest ATP reading: 123 RLU (bathroom fixture handle)
3. Connecticut Public School District
Schools are known to be environments where germs can spread quickly due to their high level of activity, high occupancy, and frequent student interactions in many shared spaces. The testing conducted during the supervisor training for the Connecticut public school district was consistent with this assumption that high ATP readings would be seen:
- Average ATP level: ~7,926 RLU
- Highest ATP reading: 27,031 RLU (Stair railing)
- Lowest ATP reading: 150 RLU (Hallway)
IMPLICATIONS FOR CLEANING PRACTICES
The data collected using the ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) highlights the importance of targeting high-traffic areas, particularly high-touch surfaces, to improve sanitation. By incorporating routine ATP testing into cleaning protocols, facilities can take a more scientific approach to hygiene, focusing on the areas most in need of attention. This approach not only reduces contamination but
also enhances the safety and well-being of employees, customers, and visitors.
- Tailored Cleaning Schedules: High ATP readings on surfaces such as handrails, staircases, and bathroom doors indicate that these areas require more frequent, thorough cleaning. By identifying the dirtiest areas, cleaning teams can optimize their efforts.
- Immediate Feedback: The Lumitester Smart instrument provides instant results, enabling cleaning teams to quickly address problem areas in real time and ensure that hygiene standards are consistently met.
- Improved Hygiene in Sensitive Environments: For spaces like schools and convention centers, where many people congregate, implementing ATP monitoring can prevent the spread of illness, ensuring a safer environment for all occupants.
Benefits cleaning operations can gain through ATP testing include:
- Enhanced identification of soiled areas
- Real-time monitoring and feedback on cleaning efforts
- Improved cleaning protocols
- Optimized labor and resource allocation
- Promotion of health and safety
- Demonstration of commitment to cleanliness
- Data-driven reporting and transparency improvements
CONCLUSION: MOVING FORWARD WITH ATP TESTING
The ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) has the potential to revolutionize cleaning operations by improving hot-spot identification and offering actionable, science-based insights into surface contamination. By integrating this technology into their daily routines, facilities across various sectors can adopt a more proactive, data-driven approach to cleanliness that consistently meets high hygiene standards. From convention centers hosting thousands of attendees to schools filled with students and staff, ATP testing allows facilities to prioritize cleaning, optimize labor, improve health outcomes, and instill confidence in those who use the space.
Ultimately, facilities that invest in ATP testing not only safeguard the health of their occupants but also position themselves as leaders in cleanliness and safety, setting a higher standard for hygiene in public and commercial spaces.
1 RLU: Relative light unit is a measure of the level of surface soil detected by the ATP test. For more information on relative light units, what they mean, and how they are used in commercial
buildings and schools, the reader should refer to the ISSA Clean Standard: Institutional and Commercial for K-12 schools and commercial buildings.
