Cleaning and Disinfecting
MCI counsels operators that cleaning and disinfecting are
separate processes – a surface must always be cleaned before it can be
disinfected— and recommends using an EPA-approved disinfectants,
and soap and water. MCI does not recommend bleach or ammoniabased
disinfectants, as they can damage fabric and vehicle interiors.
NFI Parts also offers an Environize ULV fogger— the same system
used at MCI Service Centers — and is stocking hand sanitizers as
well as individual masks as a one-stop-shop for operators to easily get
what they need, hassle free.
Ongoing education
Asthe industry's operators, technicians and drivers waited for
restart, many have used the time to build their skills with more than
550 online courses through MCI Academy.
MCI Training Manager Scott Crawford advised returning drivers
and technicians should continue to update their skills with refresher
courses in safety.
“They will be returning to business with the most up-to-date skills
in the industry,” he said. The Academy is also where the MCI Clean,
Disinfect, Protect webinar, course number 19.111, can be reviewed for
expertise on the benefits of fogging versus hand wiping, optimizing
air flow, economical options in driver protection and much more.
From guidance to parts to training, MCI has been eager to give
operators a step up.
“We know the customer owns the passenger relationship, but
the sheer impact of the shutdown provided so many challenges
for operators that we wanted to assist in some way,” Maitland
said. “We’ve leveraged our own resources to give operators extra
help in sharing the very latest, most reliable information with
their customers.”
Air Quality
HVAC systems on MCI coaches should be operated at high fan
speed settings when possible to maximize airflow. MCI advises
customers that its standard MERV 5 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting
Value) filter media is rated to capture respiratory droplets, which is
thought to be the most common manner in which the SARS-CoV-2
virus is transmitted. However, NFI Parts also offers a MERV 8 rated
filter media with an antimicrobial coating for even more peace of
mind. Higher rated filters will lower airflow through the HVAC
system, so it’s always important that filters be compatible with
coach models. Each MCI model provides a minimum of six fresh air
exchanges per hour – about once every 10 minutes.
UV-C light kits, which mount in the HVAC compartment to help
kill pathogens, and a power safety roof hatch ventilator that enhances
fresh air circulation, are also new offerings in NFI Parts' Clean and
Protect line.
Helping operators communicate
MCI has made passenger communications a priority; designing
and sharing the customizable Extreme Clean Communication toolkit
featuring Word doc templates to help companies customize their
cleaning messages when reaching out to clients and riders.
To help riders understand what operators are doing to protect
them while onboard, NFI Parts is offering window decals that
display rider policies and indicate where investments have been
made on Clean and Protect technology.
Maitland also stressed the importance of keeping everyone in
the loop.
“It takes good communication and training for everyone including
mechanics to have a good program,” he said. "Drivers are the front
line and they will be actively involved in both cleaning, disinfecting
and communication.”
Operators can find information on all Clean and Protect product
offerings online at www.nfi.parts/cleanandprotect, or by calling an
NFI Parts representative at 800-323-1290 in the U.S. and 800-665-0155
in Canada.
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