CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

What equipment should a HEPA vacuum be equipped with to clean an area rug effectively?

1. Suction nozzle

2. Filtration bag

3. Beater bar

4. Extension wand

The correct answer is: Beater bar

A HEPA vacuum equipped with a beater bar is particularly effective for cleaning area rugs because the beater bar is designed to agitate the fibers of the rug, allowing it to dislodge embedded particles such as dirt, dust, and allergens. The agitation increases the vacuum's overall cleaning efficiency, especially on textured surfaces like rugs, which can trap debris within their fibers. While a suction nozzle can help remove surface dirt, and a filtration bag is essential for controlling the containment of allergens, these features do not provide the same level of cleaning effectiveness as a beater bar. An extension wand, on the other hand, extends the reach of the vacuum but does not enhance the actual cleaning performance on the rug fibers themselves. In summary, the beater bar's agitation is key to effectively cleaning area rugs, making it the primary component to focus on for this task.