Campus Cleaning Standards + Schedule

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Working together to care for our campuses

Creating a clean and healthy campus environment is everyone’s responsibility. The University of Alberta acknowledges and thanks our passionate community for taking pride in its spaces and doing their part to support a clean and vibrant environment across all campuses.

We adhere to established professional cleaning standards within a set budget to support teaching, learning and research across our campuses.

The University of Alberta follows an established set of cleaning standards in accordance with the APPA, formerly known as Association of Physical Plant Administrators. These formalised standards and protocols allow custodial staff and contractors to meet cleaning targets within a set budget.

APPA Level 3 Cleaning Standards

The current cleaning standard for the majority of campus spaces is APPA Level 3.0 (casual inattention).

Alternative Cleaning Levels

Although Level 3.0 is the set standard across the institution, some spaces and facilities have alternative levels assigned. For example, patient treatment areas are cleaned daily to a Level 2.5. A complete list containing required cleaning performance level by space type and cleaning frequency can be found in the Cleaning Service Standards .

Customized Custodial Services

If you would like to arrange customized cleaning services beyond our current cleaning standards, please submit a department work requisition. Our team can customize your custodial services to best fit your department or faculty budget.

For questions or assistance, contact your facilities services partner.

Cleaning Schedule + Frequency

Cleaning schedule and frequency
Site Cleaning Frequency
Washrooms Daily
Locker and change rooms Daily
Classrooms, teaching labs, seminar
rooms and libraries
Three times per week with two spot checks
Lounges, kitchens and lunch rooms Twice a week with checks and spot cleaning
Offices (common, private and general) Monthly
Reception areas and waiting rooms Three times per week with two spot checks
Gymnasiums and recreational studios Daily
Patient treatment areas Daily
Research labs Weekly
Entrances and lobbies Three times per week
Main stairs, stairwells and landings Three times per week with two spot checks
Secondary stairs, stairwells and landings Every two weeks
Main corridors and elevators Wash three times per week
Secondary corridors Dust, mop and wash weekly
Bleachers As required
Loading docks and receiving areas As required
Storage rooms As required
Mechanical rooms As required

Maintenance requests + reporting issues/vandalism/damage

Submit general maintenance requests online using uab.ca/fixit.

Please do not submit a maintenance request for regular cleaning. Instead, contact your supervisor for additional cleaning services if required.

Report urgent maintenance requests by calling:

  • North and South Campus (including North Campus Residences): 780-492-4833
  • Campus Saint Jean (including Résidence Saint-Jean): 780-492-4833
  • Augustana Campus (including Augustana Residence): 780-492-4833, select 3 from the options
  • Enterprise Square: 1-866-254-5349

How to do your part

Cleanliness + Care

  • Keep shared spaces on campus tidy (common areas, lounges, study rooms, kitchenettes, etc.).
  • Proceed with care at building entrances (use of boot cleaners and entry mats to avoid tracking dirt/mud/snow into university buildings).
  • Avoid actions that could result in injury or damage (flooding sinks, flushing feminine hygiene products, paper towels or inappropriate items down toilets, graffiti, etc.).

Waste Management + Recycling

  • Faculty and staff must complete actions related to employee area cleanliness and follow guidelines related to waste management, recycling and office cleanliness.
  • Waste management responsibilities for staff include properly sorting waste and recycling, using Zero Waste Stations and emptying workstation trash bins.
  • Expectations of staff when emptying workstation trash bins include disposing of organic/wet waste in central bins, avoiding leaving bins outside workstations, and retaining the bag liner when emptying your bin. All recyclable waste (in-office blue bins) must be placed in the central recycling bins.

Keep Sustainability in Mind

  • Turn off lights and unplug small electronics when not in use.
  • Reduce heating wastage by closing doors and windows in the winter.

Get more cleaning tips »