SCRUBBING MACHINES

Floor cleaning takes up about 54% of overall cleaning time.
The floor offers certain aspects important for the liveability of an environment:
• the aesthetic aspect linked to cleaning and a good finish
• the safety aspect linked to a slippery floor
• the hygiene aspect linked to cleaning and sanitation

These observations gave rise to the need to mechanise floor-cleaning, with the aim of:
• reducing floor-cleaning times
• making the floor immediately usable
• ensuring constant cleaning results

The automatic scrubbing machines were designed to satisfy these aims. In one single operation, they wash, dry and sanitise the floor, leaving the surface completely dry.

The machine consists of:
• a washing unit with up to four disc or roller brushes, activated by electric motors and using water and detergent to remove the dirt.
• a system to collect and suck in the dirty water from the floor (squeegee)
• Water and detergent tanks (also known as solution) and a recovery tank (for dirty water)
• a control and driving system
• The machines can be powered with a battery (or batteries), mains electricity or, for the largest models, with petrol or diesel motors
• The operator can use the machines walking (in this case they're known as "walk-behind scrubbing machines") or sitting on them
  ("ride-on scrubbing machines").

There are walk-behind and ride-on models for professional use, with a work-track (or cleaning-track) ranging from 35 to 130cm. Of course, while the functioning modes are similar they do differ in terms of performance, although the common aim is to make them more and more simple and intuitive.
To use the smallest Genie (available with both an electric and a battery power supply), you only have to fill the tank with water and detergent; the washing and function modes are clearly indicated by the commands (3 buttons) on the handle. Brush connection and release requires no manual intervention, and the tanks can easily be filled via the handy inlet.
The battery operated version has a built-in battery-charger, so you just need to connect the cable (supplied) to the mains supply for quick, easy recharging.

The large machines have also been designed with the aim of simplifying the commands, so the most frequent applications now have pre-set programs activated by a single command.
The fact that design focuses on ease-of-use means we can simplify operator training enormously, while still ensuring the maximum safety of course.
Thanks to their reduced noise levels, Fimap machines can even be used where people are present, during work times - a fact further facilitated by their ease-of-use.

The wide range of Fimap products makes automatic cleaning economically viable. The cleanable area starts from 200 sq.m., arriving to 20,000 sq.m. with the use of machines with diesel motors.
Every type of floor can be washed and dried. For some however, you need to follow certain indications regarding the quantity of water to use, the type of brush or abrasive floor pad, and the force applied.

Thanks to years of experience, the current models have simplified command systems despite guaranteeing maximum product functionality. On the larger machines, the use of electronics means the command systems have a single button for machine operation, and specific washing programs can be pre-set for the destination application.
What's more, the special attention to the ergonomic form of the instrument panels and commands allows you to immediately recognise the individual functions, so learning times for the operator are minimised.

The scrubbing machines can be used with any type of detergent explicitly created for these machines. Following the manufacturer's indications with regard to dilution (using the measuring system fitted on certain models), excellent results can be obtained.
It's absolutely forbidden to use products like caustic soda, acids, diluents or solvents.

The automation of floor-cleaning involves:
• a reduction in work times and the immediate usability of the floor
• an improvement in the hygiene standard of the surface and its maintenance over time
• a reduction in consumption linked to washing operations

In fact:
Water: the use of a scrubbing machine optimises water consumption (and, consequently, detergent consumption).
As a comparison, we can wash and sanitise 1 sq.m. of floor using 0.05 litres of solution, against the 0.5 litres needed with the manual system, while guaranteeing markedly improved hygiene results.
Detergent: a reduction in water consumption means a reduction in detergent consumption too. Referring again to the previous example, with 5cc of concentrated detergent we can wash 10 sq.m.
Energy: a reduction in the quantity of water obviously means optimising the consumption linked with the brush and suction motors as well. In addition, the reduced water and detergent consumption implies less disposal consumption.

Fimap has developed special systems for further limiting the consumption of water, detergent and energy. Some of these (FSS and FES) can be applied to medium/large machines, while others such as Fit ON/OFF (a device that interrupts the water flow when the brushes stop) or the tap that supplies the exact quantity of water required for the work conditions, are used on the smaller scrubbing machines (Genie and My16). The solution control system FSS (FimapSolutionSaver) ensures a continuous, constant water flow, reducing solution consumption by up to 50%.
The DSC device ensures the exact and constant distribution of the solution on the two brushes, so much less water is needed and the floor dries more quickly.

The scrubbing machine picks up dirt and washes the floor. This means some maintenance is necessary, but the technology and technical solutions have minimised these operations.
After using the machine it's necessary to drain the dirty water and rinse out the recovery tank, clean the squeegee rubbers and, if the machine is battery-powered, recharge the batteries.
The filters must be cleaned regularly, with an authorised technician carrying out a check occasionally, or once a year.

There's the FIT4YOU programme that helps you to identify the scrubbing machine most suitable for your own particular needs.
After this, you can examine the choice with our retailer, to decide the exact model and evaluate the use and functions.

Given that these devices are designed for professional use, the law doesn't require a warranty. Of course, Fimap guarantees its machines however. You can get more information about these aspects from your local retailer.